BUSH: ARMENIA AND US TIED OWING TO EXCLUSIVE HISTORY

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian Ambassador to the US Tatul Margarian presented credentials to US President George W. Bush. In the course of the ceremony the traditional exchange of views over the current state and prospects of the Armenian-American relations took place. In his speech the Armenian Ambassador appreciated the present level of the bilateral relations, noting that the common interests of the two countries underlie this. Having thanked for the assistance since the independence T. Margarian noted the importance of the Armenian-American political, military, commercial and economic cooperation. President Bush appreciated the friendship between the US and Armenia, noting the two countries are tied owing to an exclusive history. "After Armenia becoming independent in 1991 we jointly worked to form democratic institutions and economy for Armenia to be able to rebuild and eliminate the consequences of the earthquake in 1988, collapse of the USSR and the destructive war in Azerbaijan over the Nagorno Karabakh issue," the Bush message says. It was also mentioned that within the past 15 years Armenia has made much progress and was thus included in the Millenium Challenges Account. "I highly appreciate Armenia's contribution to the fight against international terrorism, as well as the sending of forces to Iraq for establishment of stability and democracy in the country," Bush said. The White House head again confirmed the readiness of the US to promote settlement of the Karabakh conflict and normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations, Regnum news agency reported.