YEREVAN.- U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern said Washington believes that shared values are a foundation of a true partnership.

In his video blog Heffern commented on the 2011 Annual Human Rights Reports issued by State Department on Thursday.

 “These reports on every country in the world are mandated by Congress to help guide lawmakers’ decisions on foreign assistance. The reports provide government, international organizations, scholars, journalists and activists with reliable information on human rights conditions around the world,” he said.

The Ambassador outlined improvements and shortcomings mentioned in the report on Armenia.

 “The report informs of our conversations with civil society, government and others where to focus reform efforts. With elections approaching we are focused on a fundamental right of citizens to select government and conditions necessary for free and fair polls,” he said expressing hope that the report will prove to be useful to make improvements.