On March 20 RA NA President Mr Hovik Abrahamyan received the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Armenia Ms Marie L. Yovanovitch.
Welcoming the Ambassador RA NA President Mr Hovik Abrahamyan highlighted the further development and strengthening of the Armenian-American relations. Within this framework the support of the U.S. was highly assessed and the importance of continuity of Millennium Challenges Account Program was stressed in the aspect of deepening democracy and development of economy in our country.
Touching upon the inner-political problems the President of the National Assembly noted that the Armenian authorities had enough will for the fulfillment of PACE resolutions and presented the works done in that direction. The National Assembly passed the amendments of Articles 225 and 300 of the Criminal Code, which would enter into force after ratification of RA President. The Parliament President highlighted the plurality, the creation of favorable atmosphere among political forces, noting that he repeatedly proposed the extra-parliamentary opposition forces to present their approaches and constructive criticism from the rostrum of the National Assembly.
Stressing the necessity of regional peace and stability RA NA President Mr Hovik Abrahamyan highly assessed the initiative foreign policy of RA President Mr Serzh Sargsyan directed to the improvement of relations with the neighbors and peaceful settlement of Karabakh problem. Agreeing with Mr Abrahamyan’s assessments, the U.S. Ambassador expressed her view, saying that if there is someone who can eliminate the obstacle among the political forces, improve the Armenian-Turkish relations and promote the peaceful settlement of Karabakh problem is the President Sargsyan.
Ms Yovanovitch noted that the American Government highlighted the development of democracy in Armenia, stressing in this context that the free and just conduct of the elections of the Council of Elders of Yerevan planned in May is an important stage. She expressed hope that equal conditions will be created for all participants, and administrative resource will not be applied.
NA President also highlighted the just and transparent conduct of the elections, noting that the National Assembly will do its utmost to exclude violations and create equal opportunities for everybody.
During the meeting issues regarding the trafficking were also discussed, Mr Abrahamyan expressed his discontent over the assessments related to Armenia in the annual report of the U.S. Department of State on people’s trafficking. In response to this the Ambassador noted that the Republic of Armenia is among the countries subject to control of the second group of the list. Seeing the positive works being realized in that direction by the Armenian authorities the Ambassador will support in the issue of taking out Armenia from the control group.
The sides also touched upon the Noagorno Karabakh problem. RA NA President Mr Hovik Abrahamyan highlighted the peaceful settlement of the problem within the framework of OSCE Minsk Group, and Ambassador Yovanovitch noted that the U.S. stance over the settlement of the problem had not been changed: the principles of not using force, territorial integrity and right to nations’ determination will be applied.
At the end of the meeting Mr Abrahamyan expressed willingness to discuss all important issues and cooperation programs in further meetings.