Armenpress News Agency , Armenia
 Saturday


US Congress' representative delegation to visit Armenia



YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS. By the initiative of
Armenian-American congresswoman Jackie Kanchelian Speier a delegation
of US congressmen will visit Armenia on September 17, Voice of America
reports.

The delegation includes congressman Frank Pallone who brought
assistance to Armenia after the Spitak earthquake, ethnic Armenian
congresswoman Anna Eshoo, congressman David Valadao, congresswoman
Tulsi Gabbard and congressman Jim Sensenbrenner.

“This is perhaps the largest congressional delegation’s visit to
independent democratic Armenia”, congresswoman Jackie Kanchelian
Speier told Voice of America, adding that the agenda of the visit is
quite full. As for the goals of the visit, they are numerous: “The
first one is to strengthen our friendship, help Armenia to get rid of
corruption phenomena still existing in the country, create new
opportunities for providing assistance to Armenia aimed at development
of democracy”.

This visit has a sensational significance for the congresswoman. “Of
course, for us who have Armenian origins it is very important to visit
the homeland, get acquainted with the historical homeland, feel and
touch it”, she said. “I would like for Armenia to receive huge amount
of assistance since I consider Armenia as our partner in a region that
is under aggressive actions of Russia”.

The Congressmen are going to discuss with the Armenian side the issue
of strengthening Armenia’s energy independence since at the moment
Armenia depends on Russia in terms of energy supplies, which ,
according to the congresswoman, wants to restore the Soviet Union. “I
am convinced that Armenia doesn’t want to again become a Soviet
Armenia”.

Jackie Kanchelian Speier highlights Armenia’s huge potential in
development of technological field and Armenian Ambassador to US
Grigor Hovhannisyan’s perfect work on strengthening the
Armenian-American ties. The US is ready for expanding the political
and economic relations with Armenia.

“We want to strengthen the relations with Armenia so that Armenia will
never have to worry about the threat of its sovereignty”, she said.

Another advantage of Armenia is the Armenian Diaspora. Numerous
Armenians that have serious achievements in the US want to restore the
link with Armenia, and the Congressmen will discuss also these
prospects during their Armenia visit.