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At November 25 press conference, the Head of the RA NA Armenia-US Friendship Group Lilit Makunts, members of the RA NA Armenia-USA Friendship Group, members of the Group Vahe Enfiajyan, Edmon Marukyan and Tatevik Hayrapetyan presented details on their first official visit to the United States.

Lilit Makunts spoke about meetings held in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives and ties established with Congress Members. The head of the Friendship Group also touched upon the meetings with certain experts, considering them quite interesting.

During the meetings issues on raising the Armenian-American relations and cooperation to institutional level were discussed. The RA NA Friendship Group made a proposal to sign a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) and other structures, particularly in the spheres of human rights, strengthening of democratic institutions, as well as prevention of corruption.

The Armenian parliamentarians also proposed to their colleagues of the Senate and House of Representatives to pass an act in support of Armenia, as a result of which the Republic of Armenia and the United States would have a firm document in a number of directions and formats on the parliamentary platform. According to Lilit Makunts, the proposal was welcomed by the U.S. partners. “We are going to push this idea forward with Congressman Frank Pallone, and bring it to life. An agreement has been reached to work in that direction,” the Head of the Friendship Group noted. After the visit the Armenian parliamentarians are going to send written proposals to the Congressman.

Edmon Marukyan highlighted the deepening of cooperation in the HDP (House Democracy Partnership) format and development of relations at institutional level. He evaluated the visit very successful.

Vahe Enfiajyan underlined the importance of bringing relations with the U.S. to institutional level and emphasized making fair and pro-Armenian decisions and solutions on all platforms.

Tatevik Hayrapetyan informed that during the visit meetings were held in different analytical centers: there was a growing interest in the inner-political and foreign political developments in Armenia.

The Armenian parliamentarians made clear emphasis on the Artsakh issue, taking into consideration that the U.S. is one of the Co-Chairing countries of the OSCE Minsk Group. Lilit Makunts noted that they invited the Congress members to carry out an observation mission during the national elections in Artsakh Republic.

In the context of the Armenian-American relations, the Armenian parliamentarians attached importance to the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, underscored that the scope of these ties should be expanded, including the Armenian agenda.