National Assembly of RA (press release), Armenia
Sept 9 2005

NA President to Participate at the World Conference of the
Parliaments’ Presidents

In Washington NA President Artur Baghdasaryan met Dennis Hastert, US
Congress Speaker. Issues pertaining to the wide circle of
Armenian-American relations were discussed in the atmosphere of full
understanding. It was decided to develop the relations between US
Congress and National Assembly, pointing out that their factual
absence doesn’t contribute to bilateral cooperation. An agreement was
reached on the cooperation of several concrete problems.

After meeting Dennis Hastert, the Republican US Congress Speaker,
Artur Baghdasaryan met Nancy Pelosi, head of the Democratic faction
of US Congress, Stanley Howard, head of the control body of
Democratic minority. NA President also had discussions on various
problems concerning Armenia and Armenian people and processes being
carried out in Armenia and in the region. Problems pertaining to the
elimination of lifting the blockade of Armenia by Turkey, recognition
of Genocide and other problems related to the South Caucasus region,
were discussed with Joe Knollenberg, Frank Pallone and congressmen
Anna Eschew, John Sweeney, Scott Garrett, Adam Schiff and Joe
Schwarz. Two projects are on the agenda of the Congress: Genocide
recognition and against the construction of the new railway through
lifting Armenia from blockade by Turkey. NA President requested to
assist in the above-mentioned matters and protect the interests of
Armenia, at the same time expressing gratitude to the congressmen for
their activities in favour of Armenia. Artur Baghdasaryan invited
them to Armenia, and the invistation was gladly accepted. During the
meeting at the request Artur Bahgdasaryan presented the reforms
taking place in Armenia.

The issues pertaining to democratic reforms being carried out in
Armenia and South Caucasus region were discussed with Daniel Fried,
Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs
and John Fox, Director of Caucasus and Central Asian Affairs.

Issues pertaining to RA inner political situation, constitutional,
electoral and judicial legal reforms were discussed with Glen Davies,
Acting Deputy of State Secretary on Democracy and Human Rights.

At US State of Department meetings the parties highlighted the
development of Armenian-American cooperation in different spheres in
the atmosphere of mutual understanding.

Afterwards NA President left New York, where he will participate at
the 2nd World Conference of the Parliaments’ presidents, where Artur
Baghdasaryan’s speech is envisaged, as well as a number of bilateral
official meetings.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress