In Washington, President Sargsyan met with the Vice President of the United States Joseph Biden

President Serzh Sargsyan, who is at the United States on a working visit, on March 31 arrived to Washington DC from Boston. Later, at the White House he met with the Vice President of the United States Joseph Biden who also met with the President of Armenia nearly one year ago - on May 7, 2015 during the interfaith liturgy held at the Washington National Cathedral and dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide.

The parties underscored that since Armenia’s independence, the Armenian-American relations have constantly been on the rise thanks to mutual efforts and reciprocal political will. President Sargsyan and Vice President Biden noted with satisfaction that currently the agenda of the interstate relations comprises a number of areas – political, economic, humanitarian, and security and that in these areas the two countries each year register new achievements.

According to Serzh Sargsyan, thanks to mutual efforts, the Armenian-American cooperation is currently at the highest level in its history which is also testified to by reciprocal visits of different levels conducted in recent years. The President of Armenia hailed the assistance provided by the United States aimed at Armenia’s economic advancement and implementation of reforms in different areas.

Serzh Sargsyan also stressed the importance of the role played by the US in maintaining regional security and stability, especially active involvement of the United States in the NK peace process.

Along with the items of the Armenia-US agenda, at the meeting the parties referred also to the situation in the South Caucasus, pressing international issues and challenges. In that context, the parties exchanged views on the NK peace process in the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group and developments in the Middle East.

The President of Armenia noted that in bringing the Azeri leadership to senses, the Armenian side is relying on the international community and particularly on the active engagement of the Co-Chair states which should undertake practical steps that can still make a difference.

President Sargsyan expressed appreciation to the US congressmen for their attention toward the NK issue and for their energetic efforts aimed at the peaceful resolution of the NK issue. According to the President of Armenia, steps taken by the congressmen could be instructive for the parliamentarians of many other states.

Serzh Sargsyan noted that Armenia is deeply concerned with the actions of the terrorist groups carried out in the vicinity of our country and strongly condemns them. The President mentioned with pain that as a result of the atrocities conducted in Iraq and Syria many Armenians residing there are being killed or become refugees and that centuries old relics of the Armenian spiritual and cultural heritage are destroyed and damaged.

Vice President Biden praised Armenia’s efforts in providing shelter to a large number of refugees from Syria and for creating normal living conditions for the Syrian Armenians.
The interlocutors expressed hope that there will be developed efficient mechanisms for the resolution of the problems of the minorities residing in the Middle East, for the return of the Christian communities, and for the protection of their ancient culture and heritage. Serzh Sargsyan and Joseph Biden also expressed confidence that it would be possible to withstand exiting challenges by joining efforts.