YEREVAN, JANUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. On January 23, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved President Donald Trump’s Secretary of State nomination of Rex Tillerson by a party line vote of 11 to 10, clearing the path for approval by the full Senate, the news blog of the Armenian Assembly of America reports.

Rex Tillerson said the establishment of peaceful and stable relations between Armenia and Turkey is in the interests of the US.

In response to a question by New Jersey’s senior Senator, Bob Menendez, Rex Tillerson said: “The tragic atrocities of 1915 remain a painful issue in the relationship between Armenia and Turkey, and it is in the U.S. interest to ensure peaceful and stable relations between the two countries. If confirmed, I will support a full accounting of the historical events and an open dialogue between Armenia and Turkey in the interest of regional stability”.

As for the violations of fundamental freedoms in Turkey, the new Secretary of State said he is concerned about the actions taken by the Turkish government. “Religious freedom is a core American principle and an important aspect of international peace and stability.  If confirmed, I will work with Turkey to safeguard religious minorities and promote respect for their cultural heritages”, Tillerson said.

President Trump’s U.S. Representative to the United Nations nominee Nikki Haley responded to Senator Menendez’s question about supporting a U.S. declaration calling the Armenian Genocide as such, by stating: “I will never shy away from calling out other countries for actions taken in conflict with U.S. values and in violation of human rights and international norms”.