SECRETARY TILLERSON: Well, good morning, and thank you, Jane, for that very kind introduction, and also thanks to the Wilson Center for this opportunity to address you today. The Wilson Center has made many important contributions to public policy over the years, and therefore it’s a very fitting venue for our discussion today on Europe, considering …
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Mr. Prime Minister, other members of the Cabinet, distinguished guests, and dear friends: thank you for joining us tonight as we celebrate the 241st anniversary of the independence of the United States of America. With this summer evening of jazz, food, and fireworks, we hope to recreate and share with you, right here in this …
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Thank you. Let me say it is such an honor, such a joy, to be there today for the swearing in of the new volunteers. Nothing warms a U.S. Ambassador’s heart more than to see so many Americans eager to assist Armenia, to build a bridge between our two countries. And of course it is …
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As prepared Yerevan May 25, 2017 Thank you all for joining me today. This month, the U.S. Embassy has been drawing attention to the work we do to promote environmentalism, to partner with Armenians to safeguard their resources. We’ve recorded podcasts at our American Corner with some of Armenia’s environmental experts. USAID has opened new …
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This is the time of year when students all over the world, including here in Armenia, start making decisions and taking concrete steps that will have an enormous impact on their future. Undergraduate students may be wondering whether to pursue an advanced degree or enter the job market, while high school students are considering their …
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Thank you for joining us tonight as we gather to shine a much-deserved spotlight on the U.S. Embassy’s Women’s Mentoring Program. With this final event, we mark the successful conclusion of the 2016-2017 program. This iteration of the program, which is now in its fourth year, was organized by the Embassy in partnership with the …
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As prepared Masis Thank you for that warm welcome. Minister Tonoyan, Brigadier General Deskins, and distinguished guests, I am delighted to join you here today as the U.S. government honors the dedication and sacrifice of Armenian first responders and rescue personnel by presenting a gift of life-saving equipment to the Ministry and to the people …
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As prepared Yerevan Deputy Prime Minister Gabrielyan, Your Excellency Minister Nalbandian, dear distinguished guests and friends: My staff and I are honored to join you today to commemorate the 25th anniversary of U.S.-Armenian diplomatic relations with this beautiful photo exhibit, curated from photos from the archives of the MFA and the U.S. Embassy. I think …
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As prepared Yerevan As March – which we designate annually in the United States as “Women’s History Month” – comes to a close, we have gathered this evening to honor the many contributions that women, especially Armenian women, have made to society. Some people may find it odd that we continue to set aside a …
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Thank you for that warm welcome. Minister Sargsyan, distinguished guests, it is an honor to join you here today to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Zar Training Area Renovation Project. This project is just the latest example of the close and enduring friendship between Armenia and the United States, including – and especially – our …
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01As prepared Yerevan February 1, 2017 Dear Ministers and Deputy Ministers, dear President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Armenia and Members of the AmCham Board of Directors, dear distinguished guests, thank you for joining me tonight. It is becoming a very pleasant tradition for me to deliver policy speeches before the AmCham, a …
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As prepared Yerevan Barev dzez, merhaba, and hello to the Armenian and Turkish photographers who created the works featured in the exhibit we are opening today, to their mentors and trainers – John Stanmeyer, Anush Babajanyan, and Serra Akcan – and to our guests. Thank you for joining us here today as we open this …
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As prepared Ambassador Petrikas, Ms. Sarkissian, distinguished international guests, representatives of the local media industry, and conference participants: I am delighted to join you all here this morning. This Friday, December 9, we will mark International Anti-Corruption Day. That day is an important reminder for everyone around the globe to reflect seriously on the cost …
Read More» In 2014, NATO celebrated its 65th anniversary. At the same time, the Alliance marked the five, ten, and fifteen-year anniversaries of its post-Cold War expansions. As Secretary Kerry has noted, each of these expansions strengthened NATO by opening doors for millions of people who, through the power of this Alliance, now are able to experience …
Read More» Minister Karayan, Minister Manukyan, CEO Edgar, distinguished representatives of local mining companies and U.S. corporations, and guests. It is a pleasure for me to join you today. Last year, in a speech I delivered to my friends at the American Chamber of Commerce, I outlined my four top priorities as ambassador – those areas where …
Read More» As prepared Thank you for that introduction, Mr. Pakhchanian. I’m delighted to be here today; thank you so much for inviting me. You have a very impressive school and I appreciate this opportunity to talk with you, the next generation of Armenian leaders, for you are Armenia’s future. I believe that future can be bright …
Read More» Gegham thank you very much for the opportunity to speak to you today. It is inspiring to see so many women leaders and future women leaders of Armenia in this room. When I thought about what I was going to say today, my first thought was, “Isn’t ‘women in leadership’ pretty much the same as …
Read More» Thank you all for joining us tonight. It is my pleasure to join with this extraordinary group of professionals working to contribute to Armenia’s strength, resilience, and sovereignty and participate in a unique discussion on “Corruption as a National Security Threat.” As we all know, the George C. Marshall Center is a special German-American partnership …
Read More» Fifteen years ago, on September 11, 2001, the skies over Manhattan, Washington, D.C. and the fields of Pennsylvania were clear and blue. Much like today in Yerevan, the day seemed both picture perfect and very, very ordinary. Early that morning I don’t think anyone knew the terror that was about to strike; no one would …
Read More» Dear guests, thank you for joining me today to mark the 65th anniversary of Voice of America’s Armenian service. I would especially like to welcome our guests from the VOA: Dr. Biberaj, director of VOA/Eurasia Division, and two senior members of his staff: Ms. Chakarian and Ms. Mkhitaryan. We also have with us tonight Mr. …
Read More» Vokshuin. I regret that will be my last word of Armenian in my remarks today. I hope the next time I speak at this beautiful campus to be able to say a few more words in Armenian. For now, I appreciate your patience. Your Grace Bishop Gevorg Saroyan, Dr. Armen Der Kiureghian, Dr. Donald Fuller, …
Read More» I want to welcome you all — our visitors from America, our friends and partners from here in Armenia — welcome to Armenia and thank you for your efforts to fight, treat, and cure cancer and care for the health of those around you. Healing is a science, but I know for many of you …
Read More» Minister Minasyan, distinguished representatives of international financial institutions and U.S. corporations, and our Armenian guests. It is a pleasure for me to join you today. As you may know, the first priority of my ambassadorship in Armenia is to deepen business and trade relations between our two countries. So it is encouraging for me to …
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Minister Muradyan, valued partners and guests; it is my pleasure to be here today with you to celebrate the opening of the Ministry of Health’s Tavush regional laboratory of the National Center of Disease Control and Prevention. Today is a special day. Today a commitment by both governments to make Armenia safer and more secure …
Read More» Thank you all for coming out tonight. I am delighted to be here because as the American ambassador it is always a pleasure to speak with my fellow American citizens, just as it was to speak to the various groups on my recent Armenian Diaspora tour of the U.S. I have served in Armenia for …
Read More» Your Excellencies, Friends, Ms. Sukhudyan: It’s wonderful to see all of you here tonight. And I thank you for joining us on this special evening. The very first thing that I’d like to say is: Please join me in congratulating all the women in attendance on the occasion of International Women’s Day! Tonight’s event is …
Read More» Thank you for your warm welcome, and for inviting me to join you today. I’m a bit embarrassed to admit that this is my first visit to Yerevan State University. I’ll try to make up for it by visiting more frequently in the future, if you’ll have me. One of my top priorities as the …
Read More» Thank you for your warm welcome. It is always a pleasure to visit AUA, and I especially appreciate the opportunity to talk with young Armenian students. Unlike your parents, you have lived your entire lives in an independent Armenia. For you, Soviet Armenia – and the dark days following the breakup of the Soviet Union …
Read More» I want to welcome you all — our visitors from America, our friends and partners from here in Armenia — welcome to Armenia and thank you for your efforts to fight, treat, and cure cancer and care for the health of those around you. Healing is a science, but I know for many of you …
Read More» Governor Sahakyan, Deputy Governor Movsisyan, Mr. Mayor, National Institute of Education Director Karen Simonyan, Principal Shukhyan, Peace Corps Country Director Charles Enciso, Faculty and Students of Proshyan School, I am delighted to be here today for two reasons. First, to celebrate with you all the centuries-old festival of Te-ren-dez. And second, to see also the …
Read More» Thank you for your warm welcome, and for inviting me to join you today. You may have heard that one of my top priorities as the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia is to do my best to make sure that Armenians of all backgrounds have the opportunity to better understand U.S. foreign policy. For that reason, …
Read More» Minister Hovhannisyan, Ambassador Switalski, penitentiary staff and other guests. Thank you for inviting me to join you here today. I want to congratulate the Ministry of Justice and the Department of Corrections for completing another construction phase here at Armavir Penitentiary, and for taking another important step forward in penitentiary reform in Armenia. Armavir Penitentiary …
Read More» Deputy Minister of Culture Nerses Ter-Vardanyan, Archbishop Aram Ateshian of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople, distinguished guests and friends, let me warmly welcome you all, and thank you for joining us tonight for what I believe will be an unforgettable and unique concert filled with wonderful music. Let me start by quoting the popular American …
Read More» Deputy Minister Asryan, Special Olympics National Director Israelyan, Special Olympics President Shahverdyan, other esteemed guests, and, most important, the young athletes, thank you all for being here today. We are here because we believe, if you will bear with my Armenian, յուրաքանչյուր կյանք կարեւոր է – every life is important. Humans are all different. Some …
Read More» Minister Karapetyan, distinguished guests, and students; it is a pleasure for me to be here today. I enjoy opportunities like this to speak with students. Because you are the next generation. You will soon enter the business world and contribute to making Armenia a prosperous secure country. I am always very pleased to visit here …
Read More» Your Excellency Prime Minister Abrahamyan, Minister of Economy Chshmaritian, Minister Poghosyan, Deputy Minister of Economy Avetisyan, Ms. Butvin from the Smithsonian Institution, Embassy colleagues, and distinguished guests, Your presence here today is a testament to the value and importance that the Government of Armenia places on the ground-breaking cultural tourism initiative that we have the …
Read More» In 2014, NATO celebrated its 65th anniversary. At the same time, the Alliance marked the five, ten, and fifteen-year anniversaries of its post-Cold War expansions. As Secretary Kerry has noted, each of these expansions strengthened NATO by opening doors for millions of people who, through the power of this Alliance, now are able to experience …
Read More» Minister Karapetyan, Deputy Minister Terteryan, Governor Grigoryan, valued partners and guests; it is my pleasure to be here today to celebrate the opening of the new Farm and Veterinary Service Center here in beautiful Vardenis. The U.S. government is committed to partnering with all economic sectors of Armenia. And the agriculture sector is one of …
Read More» Ombudsman Andreasyan, Ambassador Sorokin, Ambassador Switalski and other distinguished guests, I am pleased to join you today as you discuss the important topic of enshrining and protecting human rights in a possibly revised Armenian constitution, should the Armenian people chose to revise their constitution in December’s referendum. The current constitutional reform process underway in Armenia …
Read More» Tonight we are here to say a warm Bari galu’st Hayastan — Welcome to Armenia — to the four dedicated Fulbright program participants who will be helping build a stronger relationship between America and the Armenian people, not just by helping teach English but by building strong, personal bridges between our countries. And of course, …
Read More» Thank you all for joining me here today. I wanted to bring you all together tonight because we are part of a common struggle: the fight against corruption. I and my staff wanted an opportunity to hear from you how you are fighting corruption and building a culture of accountability in Armenia. I know each …
Read More» I want to thank you all for coming tonight and warmly welcome you to my house this evening as we launch our “America on the Road 2015” cultural tour. Arvest ev mshakuyt – slowly but surely I’m working on my Armenian and these two words – art and culture – are very important, indeed key …
Read More» Shnorakalutyun — Thank you for that warm welcome. First Deputy Minister Tonoyan, distinguished guests, and future military medical instructors, it is an honor to join you all here this afternoon to celebrate this milestone, the completion of this valuable training. You have endured three months of challenging coursework, not only learning new medical techniques and …
Read More» Good afternoon. It is my pleasure to be with you today. I would like to thank the Turkish & Armenian Tour Operators Network and its members for tackling the difficult task of cross-border cooperation. As you know, one of the most effective drivers of cooperation is common business interests. Your association’s goal of promoting business …
Read More» It is a privilege to be here today, in the company of Prime Minister Abrahamyan and the Minister of Energy, Yervand Zakharyan, to visit the Amulsar project and meet with its staff. This project represents the largest international investment in Armenia, with a bulk of institutional investors from the United States. The opening of this …
Read More» Thank you for that warm welcome. First Deputy Minister Terteryan, First Deputy Minister Tonoyan, Deputy Minister Baghdasaryan, and distinguished guests, it is an honor to join you here this afternoon to celebrate the completion of not just one, but three renovation projects by the Kansas National Guard. The first is the renovation of the Operations …
Read More» Good morning. During my first six months in Armenia, there are many things that I have come to admire about this nation and its people. Among them is how safe and supportive Armenia is for children. In every place that I travel, I see children lovingly doted on by parents, grandparents, family, and friends. At …
Read More» Prime Minister Abrahamyan, Foreign Minister Nalbandian, Deputy Prime Minister Gabrielyan, other ministers, fellow diplomatic colleagues, and good friends thank you for joining us from all over Armenia this evening as we celebrate the 239th anniversary of the independence of the United States of America. You honor us with your presence at this event that also …
Read More» Thank you for that warm welcome, Lilit. Mr. Prime Minister, distinguished guests, it’s an honor to join you here this morning to celebrate the contribution women entrepreneurs have made to Armenia’s economic progress and explore ways to expand that contribution. Events like these enable business people, startups, and academics to establish the strong working relationships …
Read More» Vokshuin. I regret that will be my last word of Armenian in my remarks today. I hope the next time I speak at this beautiful campus to be able to say a few more words in Armenian. For now, I appreciate your patience. Your Grace Bishop Gevorg Saroyan, Dr. Armen Der Kiureghian, Dr. Donald Fuller, …
Read More» Deputy Minister Karine Harutunyan, Deputy Minister Armen Harutunyan, Mr. Tarverdyan, Mr. Oorootyan, Mrs. Gaas-Paryan, Chairman Nichols, members of the faculty, very proud friends and family, and most importantly, the bachelor and master of agribusiness classes of 2015, it is my great pleasure to be with you today. The Agribusiness Teaching Center (ATC) of the Armenian …
Read More» Deputy Minister Karine Harutunyan, Deputy Minister Armen Harutunyan, Mr. Tarverdyan, Mr. Oorootyan, Mrs. Gaas-Paryan, Chairman Nichols, members of the faculty, very proud friends and family, and most importantly, the bachelor and master of agribusiness classes of 2015, it is my great pleasure to be with you today. The Agribusiness Teaching Center (ATC) of the Armenian …
Read More» “Bari or bolorin” (Good day everyone). I am pleased to join you all here today at this wonderful facility. The Microsoft Innovation Center is a true public/private partnership between USAID, Microsoft and the Government of Armenia. The MIC in Armenia represents the ideal model of a public-private partnership, uniting a multinational corporation, governments, an educational …
Read More» “Bari or bolorin” (Good day everyone). I am pleased to join you all here today at this wonderful facility. The Microsoft Innovation Center is a true public/private partnership between USAID, Microsoft and the Government of Armenia. The MIC in Armenia represents the ideal model of a public-private partnership, uniting a multinational corporation, governments, an educational …
Read More» Swearing-in Ceremony, February 6, 10:00 am Thank you, Eric for your generous remarks. I am so pleased, as the new U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, to be working with you again as a member of the outstanding team that Assistant Secretary Nuland leads in the Bureau of Europe and Eurasian Affairs. And my heartfelt thanks to …
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Swearing-in Ceremony, February 6, 10:00 am Thank you, Eric for your generous remarks. I am so pleased, as the new U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, to be working with you again as a member of the outstanding team that Assistant Secretary Nuland leads in the Bureau of Europe and Eurasian Affairs. And my heartfelt thanks to …
Read More» “Thanks Michael very much, it is really an exciting day for all of us here. And Christi and the HR team, everybody who has done so much work, the awards committee, thanks to all of you for the hard work. But most of all congratulations and thanks to the award recipients. This year’s recipients, last …
Read More» Ambassador: “Thanks Michael very much, it is really an exciting day for all of us here. And Christi and the HR team, everybody who has done so much work, the awards committee, thanks to all of you for the hard work. But most of all congratulations and thanks to the award recipients. This year’s recipients, …
Read More» I want to tell everyone a few stories of wonderful things that have happened here in the last few weeks. It is because of partners and events like these that I love this job and believe we can do something useful in Armenia. 1. Armenian Geological Museum The first story is about the Armenian Geological Museum. …
Read More» John A. Heffern, U.S. Ambassador to Armenia April 2, 2012 Hrazdan Hotel Yerevan, Armenia Thanks to the Hrazdan Hotel for hosting us here today to talk about U.S.-Armenian relations. We chose this location for a specific reason. Twenty years ago, in February 1992, the United States opened its first Embassy in four rooms up …
Read More» Thank you Prime Minister Sargsian for your remarks and Prosecutor General Hovsepyan for initiating this conference. The U.S. and Armenia have much to be proud of in the twenty-year history of our bilateral relations. The U.S.-Armenia relationship is strong and getting stronger. The U.S. has long supported Armenia’s transition to democracy – through assistance projects …
Read More» Thank you, it’s great to be at the American University of Armenia to talk about U.S.-Armenia relations. Twentieth Anniversary February 2012 was a very important month for us. It was the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the U.S. Embassy here in Yerevan. We are celebrating the 20th anniversary of our partnership with Armenia. Bilateral …
Read More» Thank you Deputy Secretary Burns for those kind remarks. I also want to thank President Obama and Secretary Clinton for nominating me for this position and the Senate for confirming me. I am excited to be here. I am especially excited to have so many family members, including Kit, Kathy and Katie who came in …
Read More» Chairman Abrahamian, Friends: Thank you for joining us to celebrate the birthday of the United States of America. July 4th is not for a few weeks, but the legacy of America’s independence is worth celebrating every day of the year. On Independence Day, Americans reconnect with family, friends and community, remember our history, and renew our …
Read More» Tonight we celebrate your work and the work of journalists around the world and reflect upon one of the core values of every democracy: freedom of expression. Freedom of expression, for members of the media and citizens alike, is a universal human right and the cornerstone of a democratic society. Governments must protect the right …
Read More» Media freedom is one of the cornerstones of liberty. Without freedom of the press, countries simply cannot achieve their full economic and democratic potential. Indeed, freedom of media, and its corollary, the freedom of expression, underlie many other freedoms essential to democracy: the freedoms of conscience, of assembly, of religion, and of choosing one’s government. …
Read More» Ladies and gentlemen, friends. Good afternoon and thank you for joining us today for a conversation on the role of civil society in Armenia. You may be wondering why I – as a representative of a government – come here today to talk about the importance of civil society, in other words, the importance of …
Read More» Honorable guests, ladies and gentlemen: Good Morning. I congratulate Counterpart International and all Civicus’ implementing partners for developing the Armenia case study of the 2010 Civil Society Index. The cooperation undertaken for its production was exemplary, involving civil society organizations, representatives of the international community, numerous government agencies, academia, media and the business community – …
Read More» Good evening. Thank you very much for coming this evening. Tonight, I’m seeing some old friends, and I hope that I’ll have the opportunity to meet more of you later tonight. This evening, I’d like to update you on our work to strengthen the U.S.-Armenia partnership. I also want to talk about some of the …
Read More» Governor, Mayor Babayan, Ladies and Gentlemen, Thank you. And thank you all for gathering together at this lovely memorial to honor the lives of those who were taken from us on September 11, 2001 in New York City, Washington, DC and Pennsylvania. Nine years ago, in the wake of devastating acts of terrorism, brave firefighters, …
Read More» Barev Dzez. Minister, Governor, Mayor, Tim, other distinguished guests and donors. I am delighted to be with you today to announce the completion of the Noratus Medieval Cemetery preservation project. We gather today at an ancient site that is home to the largest collection of cross stones in the world. It has been an honor, …
Read More» I am honored to participate in the Swearing-in Ceremony of the 18th group of volunteers ready to serve Peace Corps Armenia. Forty-eight years ago, the man who created the Peace Corps, President John F. Kennedy, called Peace Corps Volunteers: Our Ambassadors of Peace. Ambassadors who would go forth and help the people of other countries …
Read More» Barev Dzez! Thank you for your warm welcome. And thank you to the American University of Armenia for inviting me here to speak with all of you. Today, I’d like to talk about the bilateral relationship between Armenia and the United States. And then I’d like to hear from you, so I’ll leave plenty of …
Read More» I’d like to welcome each one of you to this exhibit to mark World Press Freedom Day. And I would like to thank Shushan and FOICA for inviting me to be part of this important event. In 1993, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed May 3rd as the day the international community sets aside to …
Read More» Bari yereko Minister Petrosyan hargeli teeknike yev paronike (Good evening ladies and gentlemen). Distinguished guests. I am pleased to welcome you to my home this evening to meet Amber Stackhouse and Erin Comstock, two talented professional American snowboarders and sports filmmakers, and now, U.S. Department of State “Sports Envoys.” Working with national sports leagues and …
Read More» Peace Corps Week commemorates the week that John F. Kennedy outlined his idea for a program that would send thousands of young Americans overseas. Less than a year later the first Peace Corps Volunteers were sent to Ghana and Nigeria. Peace Corps week is not just a week to celebrate the accomplishments of Peace Corps …
Read More» Deputy Minister Hakobyan, Mr. Babloyan, partners, ladies and gentlemen. I am pleased to be here today to mark the handover of the USAID-funded Combined Heat and Power equipment to the Arabkir Medical Center. For over a decade, the U.S. Government has been assisting Armenia to restructure its energy sector and put it onto a sustainable …
Read More» Media freedom is one of the cornerstones of liberty. Without freedom of the press, countries simply cannot achieve their full economic and democratic potential. Indeed, freedom of media, and its corollary, the freedom of expression, underlie many other freedoms essential to democracy: the freedoms of conscience, of assembly, of religion, and of choosing one’s government. …
Read More» Good morning. I would like to welcome Deputy Minister of Defense Nazaryan, Dr. Boghdasarian, General Kotanjian, Dr. Konoplyov, Mr. Mkrtchyan, excellencies and participants. I would especially like to welcome those of you here to Armenia, who may be making your first visit to this country. As some of you may know, I myself have only …
Read More» Barev Dzez. Bari Yereko Good Evening. Thank you for your warm welcome. In so many ways, the Armenian-American community represents the foundation and the strength of our bilateral partnership with Armenia, so I´d like to thank the organizers for making it possible for me to be here tonight. One of the many joys of being in Armenia is …
Read More» In response to news reports carried recently by several media outlets regarding assistance from the United States for Armenia, I would like to inform you of the following: Since international assistance to Armenia began over twenty years ago with the relief effort following the 1988 earthquake, the U.S. government has provided almost two billion dollars …
Read More» Yesterday, on May 3, the international community celebrated World Press Freedom Day. Every year on this important occasion, the United States recognizes the essential contribution of a free press to the institution of democracy, and honors the sacrifices of those who are working to establish an independent media in Armenia and throughout the world. Freedom …
Read More» Thank you Lusig, Larissa, and thanks to OSI for hosting this conference and inviting me here to participate. Today, I thought that I would focus my remarks on one of the most basic rights in any democracy – freedom of the press. Thomas Jefferson once said, “Were it left to me to decide whether we should …
Read More» Thank you, Tevan. Head of NATO Division of the MFA, Mr. Isaraelyan, Ambassador Lonsdale, members of the South Caucasus Youth Forum. The title of your seminar is “NATO at 60, a New Start” and, coincidentally, it was only a few days ago that our new Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, called for a “fresh start” …
Read More» Gegham thank you very much for the opportunity to speak to you today. It is inspiring to see so many women leaders and future women leaders of Armenia in this room. When I thought about what I was going to say today, my first thought was, “Isn’t ‘women in leadership’ pretty much the same as …
Read More» Thank you all for joining me tonight during this inspiring and historic week. On Monday, we celebrated the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., who committed – and ultimately gave — his life to the struggle for justice, racial equality and human rights. On the same day, we remembered with sadness, the second anniversary of …
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