YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 27, ARMENPRESS. A number of key issues relating to the Armenian-American relations and the Armenia-Diaspora ties were touched upon during Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s recent working visit to the United States.

Summing up the Armenian PM’s visit to the US, expert on American studies Liana Hovhannisyan told a press conference in Armenpress that the visit boosted the Armenian-American relations not only at the federal, but also at the separate US states level. The state of California was emphasized during this visit. The expert said this State has a great potential both with its population and economic opportunities which can be directed for boosting the cooperation with Armenia.

“The signing of a framework agreement there was important and recorded the readiness of the sides, as well as the areas of interest, such as IT, tourism, etc. The PM’s visit to the Silicon Valley was important”, Liana Hovhannisyan said.

The business forum held during the Armenian PM’s visit was also important as it enabled to hear about the business opportunities, investments in Armenia from the leader of the country. The forum was attended by 250 businessmen.

As for the Armenia-Diaspora ties, several achievements were recorded here. Liana Hovhannisyan said the Armenian political forces operating in California supported the rally held there. It was recorded at the PM’s level that from now on the Diaspora will not be viewed only as a circle providing assistance, but also opportunities and conditions should be provided for running a business in Armenia, at the same time contributing to the country’s development. In other words, this is based on the mutually beneficial cooperation idea.

The Armenian PM’s visit to the New York Times office was also important which was provided with first-hand information about the current situation in Armenia.

Asked how the Armenia-US relations are being assessed and why the meeting of the leaders of the two states didn’t take place, political scientist Narek Minasyan said the intensity of visits in the bilateral relations is obvious as high-level US officials are involved in the contacts with Armenia. “As for the question relating to the meeting of the two leaders, I want to state that this issue exists in the agenda of the two countries. But here we need to understand what will be the agenda of Trump-Pashinyan meeting. Do we have a sufficient agenda based of which there will be a necessity to raise the relations to a new level or achieve new agreements, I think actions still need to be taken on this direction”, he said.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan paid a working visit to the United States on September 21.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan