Armenia’s Foreign Minister Meets With U.S. Senate Leaders

On May 5, within the framework of his working visit to the U.S., Foreign Minister of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan met with the United States Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, as well as Chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Bob Menendez and ranking member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Jim Risch.

During the meetings, the prospects of deepening and expanding cooperation based on common Armenian-American values were discussed. Minister Mirzoyan expressed his appreciation towards the U.S. continued support of the Armenian government’s reform agenda.

Minister Mirzoyan touched upon issues concerning regional security and stability, the strengthening of democracy in Armenia, the development of Armenia’s economic sphere, as well as the importance of the newly signed agreements between the U.S. and Armenia.

Minister Mirzoyan also acquainted the Senators with details of the process of normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey.

Furthermore, Minister Mirzoyan described the current humanitarian situation in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), emphasizing the importance of U.S. mediation efforts, as an OSCE Minsk Group co-chair, in obtaining a peaceful settlement to the conflict. In this regard, the Foreign Minister expressed the unacceptable actions of Azerbaijan aimed at provoking tensions and emphasized the need for the repatriation of Armenian prisoners of war and detained civilians held in Azerbaijan.

During the meeting with Senator Menendez, Armenia’s Foreign Minister converyed his appreciated towards the contribution of Senator Menendez towards the adoption of the Senate resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide, which is significant from the viewpoint of justice, ensuring the supremacy of humanitarian values and preventing further genocides.

The Foreign Minister of Armenia presented the Mkhitar Gosh Medal to Minority Leader McConnell and Senator Menendez, for their significant contribution to the strengthening and development of Armenian-American friendly relations on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and the United States.