From Leigh and all my colleagues at the U.S. Embassy, I want to thank everyone in Armenia for giving me and Leigh one of the best years of our lives, since we arrived here in February 2015. I arrived with a video in which I quoted an American painter, Rockwell Kent, who described Armenia as a place full of wonders.
The main obstacle is Azerbaijan’s persistence in shooting while negotiating, and intensifying its attacks on the eve of every crucial meeting for settlement of the conflict. Such unconstructive behavior is totally unacceptable for everyone involved in the peace process. Azerbaijan intentionally escalates the violence on such occasions in order to pressure the international community to force Armenia into making unfair concessions on Artsakh.
We welcome the public commitment of Armenian Government officials, including the Prosecutor General and the Ombudsman for Human Rights, to fully report and investigate credible allegations.
December 9 marks a new annual day of commemoration to remember victims of genocide and remind all nations of their responsibility to prevent and protect
We commend the Armenian people and the government on the peaceful conduct of the constitutional referendum on Sunday, December 6, which took place after an open debate. The change in the form of Armenia’s government that will result from the new constitution is significant.
My four priorities were not intended to be in rank order and are interdependent. And I think that is especially true with these two priorities. To attract business, a country must offer a stable, welcoming environment free of corruption. Foreign businesses large and small vote with their investment dollars; if they see a country with political uncertainty, they either don’t invest at all, or may decide to pull their money out.
Dr. Nelli Babayan is the guest expert at “168 Hours”. She is Fellow at the Transatlantic Academy in Washington, DC, where she studies Russia’s relations with the United States and the European Union.
Coming together, we are stronger. That was the message during a One Health master class, organized by the U.S. government and held in Yerevan on December 1 and 2, 2015.
Napoléon Bonaparte said that “nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious, than to be able to decide.” This is the situation Europe is facing, especially France, as they must take difficult decisions after the new terrorist attacks in Paris Daesh. Should Europe close its boarders to refugees due to the real risk about the presence of jihadists between the crowds of refugees?
Starting November 9, 2015, the U.S. Embassy in Armenia will be changing its visa procedures to make it easier for approved visa applicants to pick up their visas and for certain current visa holders to renew their visas. There is no additional cost for this improved service.
