ArmInfo.Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan received the delegation led
by USAID Administrator Samantha Power. The delegation also included U.S. State Department Acting Assistant Secretary for Europe and Eurasian Affairs Yuri Kim.
According to the press service of the RA Prime Minister, Pashiyann
welcomed Power's visit to Armenia at this difficult time. "I believe
you are aware of the overall situation, because we've had the
opportunity to discuss this situation with members of the US House of
Representatives, and two days ago I had a phone call with Secretary
of State Blinken..
Our partners maintain contact and I think it's very important that we
have this opportunity to discuss all details of the current situation
in our region," the RA Prime Minister said. "As you know,
unfortunately at this moment the process of ethnic cleansing of
Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh continues, and this is a very tragic
fact. We were trying to warn the international community that the
ethnic cleansing would happen, but regrettably we were unable to
prevent it. But this situation and the tension continues to grow in
our region, and now it is very important to take concrete steps to
prevent further escalation and even bigger problems. I am very glad
for this opportunity and I welcome you in our country," the head of
the RA Cabinet of Ministers said.
In turn, Samantha Power thanked the Prime Minister for the warm
welcome provided to the delegation she led. "I know how busy you are
given the current situation. President Biden sent me and my
delegation here to underscore the U.S.'s deep commitment to Armenia's
sovereignty, territorial integrity and democracy. I know that the
USAID is working with the Armenian people, and the government of
Armenia has never displayed irresolution in this matter, and this is
very important.
"We have arrived in Armenia, and I hope to once again have a chance
to come here to discuss our steps aimed at strengthening your
deepening democracy, but during this visit, of course, we are focused
on a concrete crisis, on the humanitarian needs of the people of
Nagorno-Karabakh, the humanitarian needs of those who fled
Nagorno-Karabakh. I believe approximately 5000 people crossed into
Armenia today, and we are treating very seriously our responsibility
to mobilize resources, ourselves, to support the local self-governing
bodies in finding accommodation and other measures of assistance, but
also to encourage other countries to do the same," she said.
According to Power, the United States of America will continue to
work with both your and the Azerbaijani government in the direction
of achieving lasting peace between the countries, also taking into
consideration the deep economic benefit and stability it would ensure
for the Armenian people. "The steps you have taken in separation of
powers, fight against corruption, these are all investments in
Armenia's future," said Power, who also conveyed a letter from U.S.
President Joe Biden addressed to Pashinyan.
The interlocutors also discussed the humanitarian situation in
Nagorno-Karabakh, the possibility of providing support to compatriots
in Artsakh, events taking place in the region, as well as the further
development and expansion of Armenia-US cooperation.
