Ahead of the Armenian-American strategic dialogue, which concludes in Washington next month, the Armenian government has hired lobbying firm Alston & Bird to provide consulting, according to documents released by the US Department of Justice, RFE/RL Armenian Service reported.

According to information provided to RFE/RL by the Armenian Foreign Ministry, Alston & Bird will assist the Armenian embassy in Washington in advancing the agenda of Armenian-American relations and adopting a number of law initiatives at the US Congress.

Alston & Bird is associated with 97-year-old Bob Dole, who represented the State of Kansas in the US Senate for 27 years, and in 1996, he was the Republican Party candidate for president.

The $10,000-worth deal was signed by Armenian Ambassador to the United States Varuzhan Nersesyan and Dole, who has a reputation as a pro-Armenian figure and is a senior consultant at Alston & Bird.

Bob Dole and Alston & Bird will provide consultation to the Armenian government, from September 15 to October 14.