ARMENIAN PREMIER, US SENATORS DISCUSS DEVELOPMENT OF BILATERAL RELATIONS

ARKA NEws Agency
Oct 23 2007

YEREVAN, October 23. /ARKA/. At their meeting at the Capitol on
October 22, RA Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan, the majority leader,
member of the US Senate Harry Reed and the coordinating senator of
the democratic faction Richard Derbin discussed the principal ways of
developing Armenian-American relations. The press and public relations
department, RA Government, reports that the sides pointed out a high
level of bilateral relations.

Senator Reed informed the RA Premier of the discussions of the process
of the US Congress adopting the resolution on the Armenian Genocide,
and of the US Legislative Body’s position on the issue. On behalf of
Armenia’s people and authorities the RA Premier expressed gratitude to
the US Congress for the assistance rendered to Armenia since it gained
independence. The sides also discussed issues of regional independence.

On October 22, a delegation led by RA Premier Serge Sargsyan
participated in an annual meeting of the World Bank and International
Monetary Fund. Thereafter, the RA Premier held a meeting with Karo
Armenyan, a Bureau member, Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF).

The sides discussed the activities of the USA-based Armenian
organizations.

The same day, the RA Premier held a meeting with President of the US
National Democratic Institute Ken Wallack. The RA Premier reported
the measures taken by Armenia’s authorities to promote the progress
in election processes and political reforms, the RA Government’s
programs of ensuring economic growth and reforms.

Premier Sargsyan also gave an interview to the Associated Press
agency. He addressed the Armenian-American cooperation in the
political, economic and security spheres, presented the current state
of the negotiations for the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement, Armenia’s
relations with its neighbors, the country’s involvement in the
antiterrorist coalition and regional security issues.

On the last day of his visit, October 23, the RA Premier is to hold a
meeting with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and her assistant
Ruben Jeffrey, take part in a meeting of the Armenian-American task
group. After taking part in a reception to be organized by the RA
Embassy in the USA, the RA Premier is to leave for Paris.

An official Armenian delegation led by Premier Serge Sargsyan has
been on a visit to the USA since October 17.