YEREVAN. – The new U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern paid a visit to Gyumri on Monday. During the visit Heffern met with representatives of public organizations, and laid a wreath at the monument to the victims of the 1988 earthquake.

The Ambassador visited Gyumri technical library and participated in the inauguration of the new library hall. He said that with his first visit to the city he wants to learn the core problems the residents face today. The Ambassador declined to give estimation of the process of disaster area restoration, noting that during next visit he will meet city and region authorities to discuss economic and social problems.

Heffern noted that during the six weeks in Armenia, he more or less mastered Armenian and promised to answer journalists’ questions in Armenian next time.