YEREVAN. - Chairman of the Armenian National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee on Foreign Relations Artak Zakaryan , as well as MPs Mher Shahgeldyan, Edmon Marukyan and Khachatur Kokobelyan on Monday had a meeting with the U.S. Congress delegation headed by the Chairman of the House Small Business Committee, Steve Chabot.

Welcoming the U.S. Congressmen in the Armenian NA, Artak Zakaryan underscored the importance of the nature of the Armenian-American cooperation, noting that since Armenia’s independence, the Armenian-American relations have included a wide scope of cooperation. 

He also added that Armenia and U.S. have strong cooperation relations both on bilateral and multilateral platforms.

Armenia highly appreciates the support provided by the U.S. for many years in the processes of developing the country’s economy, making reforms in different spheres and establishing democracy and civil society.

Attaching importance to fostering the Armenian-American economic cooperation Zakaryan noted that one of the successful economic cooperation areas of Armenian-American joint cooperation is the IT area, where the U.S. side is on the lead by the number of its investments. Overall, more than 550 Armenia-based companies operate with U.S. capital.

In the area of developing intergovernmental cooperation, Zakaryan underscored the importance of the activity of the Armenian group working in the U.S. Congress. The group members play a key role in raising the issue of the Armenian Genocide, financial support to Karabakh and other issues related to Armenia, he added.

Zakaryan also stressed the active role of the U.S. in the activities of the OSCE Minsk Group, which are aimed at the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict.

Attention was also attached to the exercise of the Nagorno-Karabakh’s right to self-determination and establishment of a legal status between the sides through negotiations in order to achieve a long-term and complete political solution. 

The Committee Chairman also appreciated the U.S. stance on settling the Karabakh conflict, namely refusing the military way of its solution.

Referring to the Armenian-Turkish relations, the Armenian side underscored the circumstance that the American side has always contributed to the normalization of relations between the two countries. The Armenian MPs noted that Turkey should not hinder the regional stability and refrain from non-constructive steps.

Touching on the Armenian Genocide recognition, the participants noted that over dozens of U.S. states have recognized it at the state level. Artak Zakaryan expressed hope that in the future the issue will be solved at the U.S. Congress level too.

Apart from this, it was noted that the U.S. Congressmen also took part in the Armenian Genocide Centennial events.

U.S. is one of the countries with largest Armenian Diaspora: more than 1.500,000 ethnic Armenians live there. Thus, the role of the Armenian Diaspora organizations in the development of the Armenian-American relations was underscored.

For his part, Head of the Congress delegation Steve Chabot thanked for the warm welcome, noting that it is a great honor for him to be in the Armenian parliament.  

He promised to brief his U.S. colleagues on all the issues raised by the Armenian parliamentarians.

Referring to the Karabakh conflict, Chabot noted that it should be solved by peaceful means and through talks. He excluded the military solution of the issue.

Besides, the U.S. Congressman attached importance to the fight against corruption in the development of the economic ties.

Touching on the Armenian Genocide recognition by the U.S. Congress, Chabot noted that that is a sensitive issue, which requires comprehensive work.

Armenian MPs Edmon Marukyan, Mher Shahgeldyan and Khachatur Kokobelyan also underscored the importance of the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict, noting that all the forces represented in the parliament have a unilateral stance on the settlement principles.

U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Richard Mills also attended the working meeting.