Armenian Assembly of America
122 C Street, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
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PRESS RELEASE
December 3, 2004
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
Email: [email protected]
ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY WELCOMES ENACTMENT OF ARMENIA PNTR
President Bush Signs Bill into Law
WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian Assembly of America hailed the enactment
today of legislation to extend permanent normal trade relations (PNTR)
to Armenia. The bill was signed into law as part of a comprehensive
trade measure, known as the Miscellaneous Trade and Technical
Corrections Bill (MTB).
PNTR status removes a nearly 30-year-old provision requiring Armenia
and other countries to periodically obtain presidential approval for
continued access to low tariffs. This extension signals an upgrade in
Armenia’s status as a trading partner and should lead to additional
trade agreements between the United States and Armenia.
Today’s action culminates a two-year effort by lawmakers supportive of
Armenian issues, who worked in conjunction with the Armenian-American
community and the Assembly, to enhance trade and investment between
the United States and Armenia.
Enactment of this measure will help integrate Armenia’s economy into
world trade, promote regional economic integration and furthers
U.S. interests by providing for long-term growth and stability in the
South Caucasus region.
Throughout the 108th Congress, the Assembly urged its activists and
the Armenian-American community to express their support for Armenia
PNTR passage to congressional leaders. To that end, the PNTR issue
was at the forefront of every community forum, in cities and towns
across the nation.
In early October, the House of Representatives passed Armenia PNTR as
part of the MTB with the Senate following suit last month.
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness
of Armenian issues. It is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt membership
organization.
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