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PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Assembly of America
July 3, 2012
Contact: Press Department
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434
ASSEMBLY INTERNS DISCUSS CURRENT ISSUES, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WITH
ARMENIA'S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES
Washington, DC - Last week, as part of the Terjenian-Thomas Internship
Program, the 2012 intern class met with His Excellency, Tatoul
Markarian, Armenia's Ambassador to the United States, reported the
Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly).
The group discussed a wide range of issues, including economic
development, the recent parliamentary elections, Armenia-Turkey
relations, and the Nagorno Karabakh peace process. In addition,
several interns recalled past trips to Armenia and shared their
impressions with the Ambassador.
Reflecting on U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit to the
region last month, Ambassador Markarian noted that while in Yerevan,
the Secretary commended Armenia on its recent parliamentary elections,
citing reports from international monitors saying that the elections
were generally competitive and inclusive. In addition, the Secretary
discussed Armenia-Turkey relations and stated, as she has previously,
that "the ball remains in Turkey's court." Further, Secretary Clinton
indicated that "there is no linkage between the protocols [signed by
Armenia and Turkey in October of 2009] process and the
Nagorno-Karabakh negotiations." The Secretary also noted her strong
concerns about the recent cease-fire violations and reiterated the
importance of "self-determination of peoples" with respect to the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict.
In response to concerns raised by members of Congress over
Azerbaijan's continued bellicose actions, the State Department
subsequently removed Azerbaijan from the list of eligible countries to
receive U.S. military hardware. The Assembly in its letter to
Secretary Clinton urged the Administration "to cease any military
assistance, training, sales or transfers to Azerbaijan," given its
"continued warmongering, cease-fire violations, and rapid increase of
its military expenditures."
Turning to the economy, Ambassador Markarian stated that despite
worldwide economic crisis and the ongoing dual blockades imposed by
Turkey and Azerbaijan, Armenia's economic growth for 2012 is projected
to be seven percent. Armenia ranks 39th out of 179 countries on the
2012 Index of Economic Freedom as compiled by the Heritage Foundation
and the Wall Street Journal, whereas Azerbaijan and Turkey rank 91 and
73, respectively.
"I have travelled to Yerevan three times since 2001. The city has very
clearly changed and continues to improve, especially with the
construction of areas such as Northern Avenue. I look forward to many
more trips to my homeland," said Simon Shahinian, a history and
philosophy major at Cornell University.
Sharing Shahinian's optimism for Armenia's future, Ambassador
Markarian encouraged the Assembly interns to take every opportunity to
excel in their chosen field, use their expertise to play an active
role in supporting the homeland, and continue to maintain their
Armenian heritage.
The Terjenian-Thomas Assembly Internship Program was made possible by
the Memorial Fund established through the generosity of Aram
Terjenian, Annie Thomas and Florence Terjenian of Belmont,
Massachusetts. Additional support comes from the Richard Tufenkian
Memorial Fund, the John Hanessian Scholarship Fund, the Armen
Astarjian Scholarship Fund, the Ohanian Memorial Fund, James and
Connie Melikian and the Knights of Vartan.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public
understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a
501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
###
NR: # 2012-029
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Armenian Assembly of America
July 3, 2012
Contact: Press Department
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434
ASSEMBLY INTERNS DISCUSS CURRENT ISSUES, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WITH
ARMENIA'S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES
Washington, DC - Last week, as part of the Terjenian-Thomas Internship
Program, the 2012 intern class met with His Excellency, Tatoul
Markarian, Armenia's Ambassador to the United States, reported the
Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly).
The group discussed a wide range of issues, including economic
development, the recent parliamentary elections, Armenia-Turkey
relations, and the Nagorno Karabakh peace process. In addition,
several interns recalled past trips to Armenia and shared their
impressions with the Ambassador.
Reflecting on U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit to the
region last month, Ambassador Markarian noted that while in Yerevan,
the Secretary commended Armenia on its recent parliamentary elections,
citing reports from international monitors saying that the elections
were generally competitive and inclusive. In addition, the Secretary
discussed Armenia-Turkey relations and stated, as she has previously,
that "the ball remains in Turkey's court." Further, Secretary Clinton
indicated that "there is no linkage between the protocols [signed by
Armenia and Turkey in October of 2009] process and the
Nagorno-Karabakh negotiations." The Secretary also noted her strong
concerns about the recent cease-fire violations and reiterated the
importance of "self-determination of peoples" with respect to the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict.
In response to concerns raised by members of Congress over
Azerbaijan's continued bellicose actions, the State Department
subsequently removed Azerbaijan from the list of eligible countries to
receive U.S. military hardware. The Assembly in its letter to
Secretary Clinton urged the Administration "to cease any military
assistance, training, sales or transfers to Azerbaijan," given its
"continued warmongering, cease-fire violations, and rapid increase of
its military expenditures."
Turning to the economy, Ambassador Markarian stated that despite
worldwide economic crisis and the ongoing dual blockades imposed by
Turkey and Azerbaijan, Armenia's economic growth for 2012 is projected
to be seven percent. Armenia ranks 39th out of 179 countries on the
2012 Index of Economic Freedom as compiled by the Heritage Foundation
and the Wall Street Journal, whereas Azerbaijan and Turkey rank 91 and
73, respectively.
"I have travelled to Yerevan three times since 2001. The city has very
clearly changed and continues to improve, especially with the
construction of areas such as Northern Avenue. I look forward to many
more trips to my homeland," said Simon Shahinian, a history and
philosophy major at Cornell University.
Sharing Shahinian's optimism for Armenia's future, Ambassador
Markarian encouraged the Assembly interns to take every opportunity to
excel in their chosen field, use their expertise to play an active
role in supporting the homeland, and continue to maintain their
Armenian heritage.
The Terjenian-Thomas Assembly Internship Program was made possible by
the Memorial Fund established through the generosity of Aram
Terjenian, Annie Thomas and Florence Terjenian of Belmont,
Massachusetts. Additional support comes from the Richard Tufenkian
Memorial Fund, the John Hanessian Scholarship Fund, the Armen
Astarjian Scholarship Fund, the Ohanian Memorial Fund, James and
Connie Melikian and the Knights of Vartan.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public
understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a
501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
###
NR: # 2012-029
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress