U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s visit to the region is of paramount importance for Armenia in many aspects, Eduard Sharmazanov, Secretary of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) parliamentary faction, told NEWS.am.

According to him, Clinton’s different rhetoric in Armenia and Azerbaijan suggests much. “As to Clinton’s statement on Turkey, I should note that the pessimistic forecasts that the Secretary of State would exert pressure on Armenia in connection with the Armenian-Turkish process have not proved true,” Sharmazanov said. Clinton not only welcomed official Yerevan’s policy on Armenian-Turkish relations, but also, quoting RA President Serzh Sargsyan, said that the ball is in Turkey’s goal, he said.

The MP underlined the importance of Clinton’s visit to the Memorial to Armenian Genocide victims. “That gesture is one more proof of the United States’ commitment to panhuman values. Washington has thus stressed once again it condemns any crimes against humanity,” Sharmazanov said.

“As regards the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, of importance is the fact Mrs. Clinton condemned violence, and we all know well which side resorts to violence,” he said. In her statement, the U.S. Secretary of State referred to the ceasefire treaty signed in 1994 with Nagorno-Karabakh’s participation. “It means that, indirectly, Clinton admitted the necessity for Stepanakert’s return to the negotiating table. She also stressed that the Karabakh people needs peace most of all, which is indirect evidence Clinton recognizes the Karabakh people as an entity,” Sharmazanov said.

Speaking of the Armenian-American relations, he stressed that the bilateral relations have reached a new level under Presidents Sargsyan and Obama, and the U.S. Secretary of State’s visit put them on a new track.