On September 30, a reception was held on the occasion of the 30th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Armenia at the Armenian Embassy to the US.
Under Secretary of state for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya, Congressman Frank Pallone, Congresswoman Jackie Speier, officials from Department of State and other government institutions, Ambassadors accredited to the US, representative of the diplomatic corps and military attaches, representatives of Armenian Apostolic church and American-Armenian community were present at the reception.
In the beginning a minute of silence was held paying tribute to the memory of servicemen and civilians who lost their lives in the second Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) war.
In her speech, Ambassador Makunts touched upon the challenges Armenia has faced during the three decades of independence as well as the achievements underscoring Armenia’s efforts of strengthening democratic values in the past few years.
Ambassador highlighted the importance of the final settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue in the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship based on the right of self-determination. Ambassador expressed her gratitude to the US for the mediatory efforts towards the release of 15 Armenian POWs earlier in June this year.
In her speech, she emphasized the importance of taking steps towards deepening and expanding bilateral relations within the framework of Armenia-US Strategic Dialogue.
Under Secretary U. Zeya highlighted the 44-day war, extending condolences to the families of victims underscoring the necessity of the release of the POWs and other detainees. Ms. Zeya dwelled upon the final settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue in the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship. Under Secretary also touched upon the development of democracy in Armenia highlighting the achievements of the recent years.
Representatives Frank Pallone and Jackie Speier, Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian issues, spoke about the activation of bilateral relations, the final settlement of the Artsakh issue highlighting the interparliamentary cooperation.
