New US ambassador promises to help develop relations with Armenia

YEREVAN, February 12. / ARKA /. United States’ newly appointed ambassador to Armenia Richard Mills said today he will make every effort to help promote Armenian-US relations as he presented the duplicates of his credentials to Armenian foreign minister Edward Nalbandian.

"Thanking for the reception and good wishes, the newly appointed ambassador said  he was honored to represent the United States in Armenia, the development of relations with which is of particular importance to his country and assured that he would make every effort to promote comprehensive bilateral cooperation", Armenia’s foreign ministry said in a statement.

Mills also conveyed the greetings and best wishes of secretary of state John Kerry to Nalbandian.

In turn, Nalbandian congratulated the ambassador on his new appointment, praising the Armenian-American friendly partnership, and expressing hope that ambassador Mills will contribute to the strengthening and expansion of bilateral relations.

The two men were said to have spoken about a wide range of bilateral issues, including non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, fighting terrorism, as well as Armenian-US military cooperation in peacekeeping operations.

Minister Nalbandian commended the United States for its support to Armenian reforms and assistance programs which have developed into development and cooperation projects.

The sides noted the importance of the entry into force on 1 January 2015 of an agreement on visa facilitation reached in 2013.

They also spoke about the activity of US-Armenia Task Force and exchanged views on the development of a framework agreement between Armenia and the US on trade and investment. -0-