YEREVAN. – The U.S. welcomes Armenian authorities’ intention to hold free, fair and credible elections, as well as promises regarding investigation of all violations and punishing the guilty, U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern said at a conference on free and fair elections in Yerevan.

The Ambassador said that Armenia and the U.S. have been cooperating for over 20 years and they have recorded progress. The U.S. have been assisting Armenia in its way to democracy development and turning into a prosperous democratic state.

According to him, conduction of parliamentary elections this year and next year’s presidential ones in accordance with international standards will promote Armenia’s image and will strengthen cooperation with the U.S. and the EU. At the same time the Ambassador stated the importance of the rule of transparency and fairness principles not only directly in the elections, but also in pre-election period.

“Healthy competition requires providing of equal conditions for all the participants,” Heffern concluded.