10:37, 28 November 2023

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O’Brien has praised Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s courage for making clear that he wants Armenia to move forward in opening its borders and in opening its relations with the West.

Speaking at an online press briefing, O’Brien noted the encouraging reforms undertaken by the Pashinyan Administration.

The U.S. official was asked to assess the prospects of supporting Armenia through the European Peace Facility mechanism and whether it may enhance Armenia’s cooperation with NATO.

“I’ll leave any discussion of the European Peace Facility to my EU colleagues.  What I’d say is Prime Minister Pashinyan has been very courageous, has made clear that he wants Armenia to move forward in opening its borders and in opening its relations with the West, that it doesn’t want Armenia to be wholly dependent on Russia in the way that previous leaders sought to have it be.  And he’s undertaken a number of reforms that are – should be very encouraging for Armenian citizens as they look to continue the sort of quick economic growth that they’ve had over the last year or two. And I think Prime Minister Pashinyan has also been a bold voice for a peace agreement with Azerbaijan as a way of allowing Armenia to focus on its economic development, to build out its security relationships, and to expand trade from Central Asia through to Türkiye, and all of which is something we would very much like to see.  So any package that is supportive of Armenia is something to be welcomed; exactly how the EU chooses to get there will be its business.  But we are committed to working with our European partners and with the government in Armenia to see that the people of Armenia are able to benefit from the reform policies that the Pashinyan government has undertaken,” O’Brien said.