Good Evening! Thanks to Hasmik of Naghash Ensemble for the beautiful rendition of our national anthems, and thank you to the Kansas Army National Guard Infantry Quintet and Hard Rock Cafés “Ness Band” for the wonderful music tonight. Also a big thanks to our Marine Detachment for the beautiful presentation of the colors. Deputy Prime ... Read More»
Ambassador Kvien’s Remarks at Forum for Democracy May 31, 2023, 10:00 Transcript
Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. President, Mr. Prime Minister. I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to Freedom House and the Union of Informed Citizens for organizing this second annual Forum for Democracy. I also want to commend the people of Armenia for their unwavering commitment to democratic reform despite grave security challenges. This commitment ... Read More»
Visa Fee Increases Effective May 30, 2023
The U.S. Department of State has increased certain nonimmigrant visa (NIV) application processing fees globally. These fee increases are effective as of May 30, 2023. The application fee for visitor visas for business or tourism (B1/B2s) and other non-petition based NIVs, such as student and exchange visitor visas, has increased from $160 to $185. The ... Read More»
Remarks as Prepared by Ambassador Kvien at World Press Freedom Day Reception May 4, 2023
Dear Guests, Good evening! It’s a pleasure to host this gathering to recognize World Press Freedom Day. A free, diverse, and independent press is a fundamental pillar of any successful democracy. A free press plays a role that is much deeper than just providing information, although that in itself is important. A free press holds ... Read More»
U.S. Ambassador Hosts World Press Freedom Day Event, Announces $17.3 Million Investments in Armenia’s Media Sector
On May 4, 2023, U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Kristina Kvien hosted a reception in honor of World Press Freedom Day for Armenian media representatives and other stakeholders. In her remarks, Ambassador Kvien underscored the important role a free press plays in democratic societies to inform the public and hold governments and those in power accountable. ... Read More»
The Armenian Rescue Service Visits the Kansas Civil Support Team
On 10-14 April 2023, under the auspices of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s Counter Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Security Cooperation Engagement Program, 10 specialists of the Chemical, Biological and Radiological (CBR) Situations Monitoring Unit of the Rescue Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MoIA) visited the Kansas Civil Support Team (CST) in the ... Read More»
Ambassador Kvien’s Remarks at American Chamber of Commerce in Armenia General Meeting
Mr. Deputy Prime Minister, Government Officials, Mr. AmCham President, members of the AmCham Board of Directors, Distinguished Guests, I am delighted to be here today. The Embassy has no better partner in Armenia for promoting trade and economic growth than the Chamber, and I want to thank AmCham for hosting this event. I have only ... Read More»
Ambassador Kvien presents her credentials
Today Ambassador Kristina Kvien officially presented her credentials as U.S. Ambassador to Armenia to President Vahagn Khachaturyan. “It’s the honor of a lifetime to be U.S. Ambassador to Armenia. The United States deeply values our partnership with Armenia, which is based on our shared democratic values. I look forward to working closely with the Armenian ... Read More»
American Corners in Armenia Celebrate the 7th Reading Marathon
The five American Corners in Armenia – in Yerevan, Gyumri, Vanadzor, Charentsavan, and Kapan – came together April 8 to mark the National Library Week with a reading marathon of Peter Balakyan’s award winning memoir “Black Dog of Fate.” Dozens of community leaders, literary figures, library patrons, and students joined the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia ... Read More»
Ambassador Richard Mills, Jr. Remarks at swearing in of Peace Corps Volunteers
Thank you. It is always an honor to join Peace Corps Armenia as we swear in a new group of volunteers. I find it a personal pleasure to see so many of my fellow Americans eager to work alongside our Armenian partners, building a strong future for Armenia through their work and developing the personal ... Read More»
Career and Job Fair launched with the support of U.S. Embassy
To cap off a busy Global Entrepreneurship Week, the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan, together with Haykuhi Gevorkyan of Career Lab and Araksia Martirosyan of International Academy of Business, connected job recruiters with job seekers at a career and entrepreneurship fair at the Marriott Hotel in Yerevan. The fair offered workshops on resume writing, panel discussions ... Read More»
Ambassador Mills opens U.S. government-funded Areni Cave preservation project
In the hills, just down the road from the Noravank Monastery, is a cave known as Areni-1. At first glance, it would be easy to miss. But as archeologists worked in the cave they found some important items, such as the earliest-known human shoe and the earliest winery. This speaks to our shared human heritage, ... Read More»
U.S. Embassy Launches “America on the Road” Tour
The U.S. Embassy is hitting the road for two weeks in July to connect with Armenians across the country and to showcase the many areas of enduring partnership and shared interests between Armenia and the United States. The “America on the Road” tour is the centerpiece of our year-long commemoration of the 25th anniversary of ... Read More»
U.S. Embassy brings U.S. and Armenian companies together to develop renewable energy
The future of energy is renewable. And it is a future that Armenia can take advantage of, for its pocketbook today and for future generations as well. That was the message of a day-long conference organized by the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan, in partnership with the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources and the firm ... Read More»
Ambassador Richard E. Hoagland will assume the position of U.S. Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group
Ambassador Richard E. Hoagland will assume the position of U.S. Co-Chair of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group on an interim basis starting in January 2017. He replaces Ambassador James B. Warlick, who will step down on December 31. Ambassador Hoagland brings over 30 years of diplomatic experience to the ... Read More»
The USAID Tax Reform Project Marks Completion, Leaves Behind a “Revolutionary Partnership”
Yerevan, Armenia – For the past four years USAID has been working with the Ministry of Finance to transform Armenia’s tax regulations and the administration of the tax code to ensure increased transparency. USAID’s Tax Reform Project, started in 2012 to help modernize Armenia’s tax collection infrastructure to offer better and more efficient services to ... Read More»
Opinion Piece by Ambassador Richard M. Mills, Jr. on the Occasion of International Human Rights Day
On this day in 1948, the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a landmark document that spelled out for the first time those fundamental human rights that deserve protection in every country, by every government. Despite the enormous progress that has been achieved in the 68 years since the declaration was ... Read More»
Remarks at The NDI Women’s Leadership Program Training Course
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»
Ambassador Visits Orphanage in Vanadzor
As part of a month-long focus on human rights, U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Richard Mills, Jr., visited a residential care facility for children in Vanadzor. His trip was part of a larger tour of the Lori province, where he traveled to a number of organizations touching upon human rights. In Vanadzor, Ambassador Mills toured the ... Read More»
Remarks at reception for “Conquering Cancer in Armenia with a Smile”
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»
Ambassador Richard Mills’ Remarks at U.S. Business Briefing
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 ... Read More»
Remarks at Opening of Ministry of Health’s Tavush Regional Laboratory of the National Center of Disease Control and Prevention
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»
Remarks at Town Hall for U.S. Citizens
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»
Ambassador’s Remarks at Women of Courage Award Ceremony
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»
Foreign Policy Remarks at YSU
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»
Foreign Policy Remarks at the AUA
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»
Remarks at reception for “Conquering Cancer in Armenia with a Smile”
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»
Remarks at the Trndez Festival
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»
Foreign Policy Remarks at the Yerevan School of Political Studies
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»
Ambassador Richard Mills Remarks at the Appreciation Ceremony for the Kansas National Guard
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»
Ambassador Richard Mills’ Remarks on the occasion of U.S. Independence Day
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»
Ambassador Richard Mills’ Remarks marking World Intellectual Property Day Microsoft Innovation Center, Yerevan
“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»
As Prepared Remarks by Ambassador Mills
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»
Ambassador Heffern’s Remarks at U.S. Embassy Award Ceremony
“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 Heffern’s Remarks at U.S. Embassy Award Ceremony
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»
Five Armenian Stories (Ambassador Heffern’s Town Hall Remarks)
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»
Ambassador Heffern’s address to mission employees
Award Ceremony (as prepared) Thanks, Amanda, and thanks to everyone for joining us for this event. Embassy Yerevan has a first rate team – in every section, in every way. The place always looks great. Our visitors always have smooth and productive visits. We are succeeding in pushing our message domestically and regionally in many ... Read More»
Ambassador’s Remarks on the U.S.-Armenian Relationship: The Next Twenty Years (as prepared)
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»
Ambassador Heffern’s speech at AUA (As prepared)
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»
Ambassador John Heffern’s Swearing In Ceremony Remarks
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»
U.S. Independence Day Remarks by Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch
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»
Ambassador’s Remarks at World Press Freedom Day Concert and Reception
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»
Ambassador’s Remarks at Ombudsman Andreasian’s “Media Forum 1”
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»
Ambassador’s Speech on Civil Society in Armenia
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»
Ambassador’s Remarks at Counterpart International’s CIVICUS Presentation
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»
Remarks by Ambassador Yovanovitch | 2010 Armenian-American Diaspora Tour
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»
Ambassador’s Remarks at 9/11 Commemoration Event
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»
Remarks on the Completion of Noratus Medieval Cemetery Preservation Project
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»
Ambassador’s Speech at the Peace Corps Swearing-In Ceremony
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»
U.S. Ambassador’s Speech at AUA
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»
World Press Freedom Day 2010
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»
Ambassador’s Remarks Welcoming Sports Envoys
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»
Ambassador’s Remarks at Peace Corps Volunteer Award Ceremony
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»
Handover Ceremony of the Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Unit
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»
“Redefining American Democracy” Winter School
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»
Remarks for Opening Ceremony of Harvard Black Sea Security Conference
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»
Ambassador’s Remarks to Armenian Diaspora in U.S.
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»
U.S. Assistance to Armenia 2010
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»
Remarks by Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch at World Press Freedom Day Event
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»
Remarks at OSI Conference on Human Rights in Armenia
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»
Remarks by Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch at AAA International Youth Seminar
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»
Remarks at The NDI Women’s Leadership Program Training Course
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»
Reception in Honor of Martin Luther King Jr., and Mikhail Danielyan
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 ... Read More»
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