ANCA, U.S. Congresswoman explore bolstering U.S. - Artsakh tiesNovember 22, 2017 - 10:42 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - During a recent Capitol Hill meeting, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) and the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) explored concrete steps the United States can take to strengthen official, civic, cultural, educational and other ties with Artsakh. The Congresswoman, who serves on the influential House Foreign Affairs Committee, is a rising star in the Democratic Party known for fostering open and democratic debates regarding outdated orthodoxies of the U.S. foreign policy establishment. "We value the legislative leadership of Congresswoman Gabbard on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, in particular her willingness to forcefully challenge morally unsustainable and clearly counter-productive elements of U.S. foreign policy," remarked ANCA Government Affairs Director Raffi Karakashian. "Her travel to Artsakh - over objections from both Baku and our own State Department - speaks to her independence, her strength, and her character." In a meeting with ANCA Chairman Raffi Hamparian, Congresswoman Gabbard discussed new and innovative ways in which to enhance America's relationship with Artsakh, including on matters related to travel and communication. The ANCA and the Congresswoman also discussed issues related to the OSCE Minsk Group peace process and why it is imperative for the Republic of Artsakh to have a seat at the negotiating table. The ANCA raised the State Department's troubling pattern of discouraging U.S. legislators from visiting Artsakh, stressing that free travel and open dialogue - among both officials and civil society - represent pathways to peace, while also allowing U.S. lawmakers to witness firsthand the benefits of the U.S. aid program to Artsakh. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. |