'Karabakh’s openness contributes to peaceful solution of problem'

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan received a delegation led by Speaker of the California State Assembly John Perez, the presidential press service reported.

S. Sargsyan underlined the importance of contacts and open and sincere dialog with friends of Armenia. He stressed that Armenia wants to deepen the traditionally warm and friendly relationship with the State of California. In his words, this relationship is based on the close historical ties between the two peoples and the large Armenian community in the U.S. as well as on common ideas of democracy and freedom. The president noted with satisfaction that Armenian-U.S. relations are currently at the historically highest level. Underlining that the U.S. is involved in ensuring security and stability in our region and provides great assistance with reform implementation in Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan thanked the government and people of the United States.

He expressed hope that the visit of the U.S. delegation will become an additional stimulus and open new prospects in relations between Armenia and California, which will create good prerequisites for promotion of the Armenia-U.S. relationship.
The sides appreciated the role that the large and influential Armenian community of California plays in the sociopolitical, economic and cultural life of the State and in the deepening of bilateral ties.

Serzh Sargsyan expressed his gratitude to California’ authorities, which have adopted – at the level of the State of California and the local level - resolutions paying tribute to the memory of the Armenian Genocide victims and strongly condemned that crime. In the Armenian president’s words, such an approach shows their commitment to universal values.
S. Sargsyan attached importance to the delegation’s visit to Nagorno Karabakh which will allow the delegation members to become acquainted with that ancient Armenian land, its rich heritage and modern achievements and later to familiarize others with the NKR. The openness and hospitality of Karabakh only contributes to a peaceful resolution of the problem, the president said.
At the request of guests, the president also presented the future programs of Armenia’s economic development and touched upon the development prospects of Armenian-U.S. economic cooperation.

John Perez thanked the Armenian president for his warm reception, open and sincere dialog, and detailed information about Armenia’s position on a number of important problems. He spoke about his impressions at the meetings and visits during their trip to Armenia, stressing that the California State Assembly is committed to the cherished values and intends to make further efforts on protection of the historical truth and justice and its presentation to the world, promotion of peace and stability, and development and strengthening of bilateral relations.