US READY TO HELP ARMENIA CONTINUE DEMOCRATIC REFORMS

ArmInfo
July 16 2008
Armenia

Yerevan, 16 June: The USA is ready to provide the necessary assistance
to the Armenian government in continuing the democratic development
of the country, US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human
Rights and Labour David Kramer said at a meeting with Armenian Foreign
Minister Edvard Nalbandyan yesterday.

Kramer said that the USA, as a friend of Armenia, wants the republic
to overcome the post-election difficulties as soon as possible, and
continue its democratic development on a more solid basis. During the
meeting Nalbandyan and Kramer discussed steps to overcome obstacles
in the process of implementing democratic reforms. The Armenian
foreign minister introduced steps taken by the Armenian government
to implement provisions of Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe resolutions 1609 ad 1620 [which recommend democratic reforms
in Armenia in connection with the post-election situation].

"Democratic reforms are the conscious choice of the Armenian people
and the national government resolutely aims to continue and develop
this process not only due to commitments undertaken before European
entities and appeals from friendly states, but first of all, in the
interests of our own country and people," Nalbandyan said.

Nalbandyan added that the Armenian government realizes that much
remains to be done and intends to move forward resolutely in this
direction.