Interfax, Russia
Feb 4 2010

U.S. will work with Armenia on regional issues – Deputy Secretary of State

YEREVAN Feb 4

The U.S. is ready to cooperate with the Armenian authorities to solve
regional problems, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg said
at a meeting with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan.

Steinberg told Sargsyan that U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
sent her regards and reaffirmed the U.S. willingness to work on both
multilateral and regional issues, the Armenian president’s press
office told Interfax.

"The U.S. and Armenia have traditionally warm and friendly relations,
and such visits are very important in terms of continuing the dialog
between our countries," the Armenian president said.

There has been certain progress in economic cooperation, he said.

"The U.S. has become Armenia’s fifth biggest trade partner and third
in terms of export, which is very important for us. We passed several
legal changes, which should also facilitate the deepening of bilateral
relations," Sargsian said.

The parties also noted that there has been some developing dynamics in
U.S.-Armenian cooperation on security, education, culture and other
areas, the press office said.

The meeting was also attended by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State
Phillip Gordon and U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Marie Jovanovich, the
president’s press office said.

Steinberg met Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian earlier on Thursday.