YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 18, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan received today the delegation led by Speaker of the House of Representatives of the US Congress Nancy Pelosi, the PM’s Office said. 

In his welcoming remarks, the Armenian PM said in particular:

“Mrs. Speaker, dear colleagues, let me warmly welcome you in our country, in our government. This is really an unprecedented visit by the United States to Armenia, and we appreciate that. I would like to express our gratitude to you, Mrs. Speaker, for your personal efforts and contribution to the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the United States, as well as for the efforts of your delegation.

This is really highly appreciated, and even taking into account this fact only, all Armenians consider you as Armenia’s reliable friend. But I want to continue my words of gratitude because I also want to express gratitude for the US support to the Armenian democracy, as this is also very important for us.

We see the readiness of the US government to support the democratic agenda in our country. I want to express our dedication to the agenda of democratic reforms, despite the fact that, as you see, it’s not an easy path.

One more fact that I would like to mention is that we appreciate the clear position of the United States over Azerbaijan’s aggression against Armenia. Of course, the clear formulations by the US government are appreciated because it is highly important for us.

You know that the UN Security Council has discussed the current situation, and we hope and this is our position that this situation should remain on the agenda of the UN Security Council and in this respect, we, of course, rely on the US support.

Mrs. Speaker, let me once again welcome you and your delegation. I am confident that we will be able to hold productive talks today. 

I am very glad for this opportunity”.

In her turn, Nancy Pelosi said: “Thank you very much Mr. Prime Minister for the warm words of welcome and for appreciating the significant work done my colleagues, who are members of this delegation. The support to democracy in Armenia, the resolution on the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, countering Turkey over the Nagorno Karabakh issue, and in all other terms, we are the friend of Armenia. We are here by respecting your government. 

Elections were held last year which were assessed as free and fair, and your wonderful victory in the conditions of war and other circumstances. And the thing is that when we travel to any country, it has a purpose of showing respect, listening and learning, but I can say frankly that this delegation which came from the United States to Armenia has brought with it the love and the respect of the American people to your government and the love to the people of Armenia. 

Thank you for this hospitality”. 

The sides, then, discussed a broad range of issues relating to the Armenian-American partnership and the further development of cooperation in different directions. 

PM Pashinyan said that the government of Armenia will continue the consistent steps to strengthen democracy and develop democratic institutions. He highly valued the US support to promoting the rich agenda of reforms of the Armenian government. 

Nikol Pashinyan and Nancy Pelosi also discussed the recent aggression of Azerbaijan against Armenia’s sovereign territory and issues relating to the withdrawal of the Azerbaijani units from Armenia’s territory. 

The possibilities of the unblocking of transportation infrastructure in the region, the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict were also discussed. 

The Speaker of the US House of Representatives assured that the American side will continue actively contributing to the further expansion of bilateral multi-sectoral cooperation and the programs aimed at the development of democracy in Armenia.