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  • US Ambassador: Armenia-Turkey Rapprochement To Foster Increased Stab

    US AMBASSADOR: ARMENIA-TURKEY RAPPROCHEMENT TO FOSTER INCREASED STABILITY AND PROSPERITY IN CAUCASUS REGION

    May 31, 2013 | 00:15

    YEREVAN. - Armenian News-NEWS.am presents an interview with U.S.
    Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern.

    Recently, when talking with students at Synopsys Armenia, you expressed
    regret regarding the failed Armenian-Turkish protocols.

    According to you, what is the prospect for this issue and will the
    United States take steps to bring the sides closer?

    Rapprochement between Armenia and Turkey will foster increased
    stability and prosperity in the entire Caucasus region. It has long
    been and remains the position of the United States that normalization
    should take place without preconditions.

    Another statement which you made about the events of 1915 gave ground
    for numerous comments. Can you clarify exactly what kind of pressure
    you were talking about?

    Congress, in the process of fulfilling its Constitutional duties,
    can and should ask tough questions of ambassadorial nominees. In that
    sense, there is pressure on nominees to know and understand their
    country of assignment and our foreign policy toward that country.

    You also spoke about steps directed to make Armenia look to the West.

    Don't you think that the best means for that lies with targeted
    economic programs?

    USG economic development programs play a very important role in
    providing options for Armenia to be more integrated with the West.

    The U.S. Embassy, including through USAID projects, works to improve
    the business climate for foreign direct investment and strengthen
    trade options with the EU and U.S. markets. In addition to supporting
    Armenia's economic integration with the West, the U.S. facilitates
    partnerships between Armenia and U.S. and European institutions to
    strengthen links across sectors. The U.S. also supports an extensive
    number of exchange programs that offer valuable education and training
    for Armenians in the U.S. The aim of this support is to offer Armenians
    a Western perspective and experience that will foster economic growth
    over the long term.

    In addition to our programs to support Armenia, we are constantly in
    a discussion with the Armenian government about investment issues.

    American companies invest in countries that have predictable and
    transparent economies. We can help and are helping the Armenian
    government on this issue, but we count on the Armenian government to
    take the lead to create a healthy business environment.

    Could you please describe in detail the investment programs of the
    United States to develop tourism in Armenia?

    The USAID Enterprise Development and Market Competitiveness (EDMC)
    Project is currently providing professional development opportunities
    for front-line staff, such as guides, and for middle-level managers
    to enhance their knowledge of international tourism standards and
    practices. To further contribute to improved education and workforce
    skills in the field, EDMC is also working with other key stakeholders,
    including the American University of Armenia, to train tourism
    operators, and has sponsored a new best practice-focused hospitality
    management course for Armenian industry participants.

    To further promote rural tourism, EDMC is conducting a targeted
    assessment of the Syunik region to develop an integrated menu of new
    tourism products, enhance professional development opportunities, and
    facilitate design/dissemination of advanced promotional materials,
    including a detailed rural travel guide. To contribute to an
    improved online profile for Armenia on the World Wide Web, EDMC is
    developing a new content development and sustainability plan for
    the national tourism portal, which will function as a one-stop-shop
    for international tourists interested in Armenia. This will not only
    significantly enhance the quality and ready availability of information
    about traveling and staying in Armenia, but will also enhance the
    country's profile as a ready tourism destination and facilitate the
    outreach efforts of hospitality service providers across the country.

    Finally, it's worth mentioning a word about the Black Sea Silk Road
    Corridor (BSSRC) project, a two-year initiative that fosters tourism
    development, cross-border cooperation and economic development in 173
    communities across four countries of the Black Sea Silk Road Corridor -
    Armenia, Georgia, Greece and Turkey.

    How would you assess the recent Municipal elections in Armenia? Do
    you agree that there were huge number of violations? Do you think
    there were disadvantages compared with the Presidential elections?

    The election was an improvement over the 2009 municipal election.

    However, even with those improvements, we believe that local
    observation groups have raised legitimate concerns about electoral
    violations and the lack of level playing field. It is important for
    law enforcement to proactively, but deliberately investigate and
    prosecute all credible reports of electoral violations. Prosecutions
    of violators, irrespective of party, are an important step in building
    people's trust in the democratic process.

    Recently the U.S. Ambassador in Azerbaijan spoke about possible change
    of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairman. Will you confirm this information
    and whose candidacies are being considered for this post?

    The United States remains fully committed to its role as U.S. co-chair
    and to helping the sides find a peaceful, negotiated solution to the NK
    conflict. Ambassador Kelly is an experienced diplomat who is serving
    as the interim U.S. co-chair until Secretary Kerry, in consultation
    with the White House, can nominate a permanent candidate.

    The State Department will announce a candidate as soon as possible.

    http://news.am/eng/news/155884.html


    From: Baghdasarian
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