In Washington NA President Artur Baghdasaryan met Dennis Hastert, US Congress Speaker. Issues pertaining to the wide circle of Armenian-American relations were discussed in the atmosphere of full understanding. It was decided to develop the relations between US Congress and National Assembly, pointing out that their factual absence doesn’t contribute to bilateral cooperation. An agreement was reached on the cooperation of several concrete problems.
After meeting Dennis Hastert, the Republican US Congress Speaker, Artur Baghdasaryan met Nancy Pelosi, head of the Democratic faction of US Congress, Stanley Howard, head of the control body of Democratic minority. NA President also had discussions on various problems concerning Armenia and Armenian people and processes being carried out in Armenia and in the region. Problems pertaining to the elimination of lifting the blockade of Armenia by Turkey, recognition of Genocide and other problems related to the South Caucasus region, were discussed with Joe Knollenberg, Frank Pallone and congressmen Anna Eschew, John Sweeney, Scott Garrett, Adam Schiff and Joe Schwarz. Two projects are on the agenda of the Congress: Genocide recognition and against the construction of the new railway through lifting Armenia from blockade by Turkey. NA President requested to assist in the above-mentioned matters and protect the interests of Armenia, at the same time expressing gratitude to the congressmen for their activities in favour of Armenia. Artur Baghdasaryan invited them to Armenia, and the invistation was gladly accepted. During the meeting at the request Artur Bahgdasaryan presented the reforms taking place in Armenia.
The issues pertaining to democratic reforms being carried out in Armenia and South Caucasus region were discussed with Daniel Fried, Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs and John Fox, Director of Caucasus and Central Asian Affairs.
Issues pertaining to RA inner political situation, constitutional, electoral and judicial legal reforms were discussed with Glen Davies, Acting Deputy of State Secretary on Democracy and Human Rights.
At US State of Department meetings the parties highlighted the development of Armenian-American cooperation in different spheres in the atmosphere of mutual understanding.
Afterwards NA President left New York, where he will participate at the 2nd World Conference of the Parliaments’ presidents, where Artur Baghdasaryan’s speech is envisaged, as well as a number of bilateral official meetings.
