US Secretary Antony J. Blinken referred to the cooperation between Washington and Yerevan, as well as the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan during the hearing of US House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs on the FY25 Department of State Budget Request.
Congressman Jim costa asked the Secretary where is the process of providing additional assistance to Armenia, and reminded about a letter sent by congressional Armenian Caucus to Blinken.
“We're looking at a series of requests from Armenia to see what we can do to strengthen even more our support and cooperation uh with Armenia. I met with prime minister Pashinyan just a few weeks ago in Brussels with the head of the European commission Ursula von der Leyen, precisely to look at what more we and the EU can do to support Armenia, and we'll be moving forward I think on a number of different areas. Prime minister Pashinyan has done an extraordinary job leading his country in very-very difficult times. We want to make sure that we're getting people to support, including those who have left Nagorno-Karabakh”.
Jim Costa: “But I don't think we've used our leverage with Azerbaijan I mean this defense agreement that we have with them when they have violated so many of their agreements with Armenia. I think it's reprehensible what Azerbaijan has done.
Secretary Binken: “I think the best thing that can happen is they have made progress Armenia and Azerbaijan on a peace agreement. And if that agreement can be reached I think that's the thing that stands both Armenia Azerbaijan and the whole region in the best…”
Jim Costa: “Mr secretary you and I guess differ on this I don't trust Azerbaijan”
Secretary Binken: “Well always as you said as someone once said; “Trust but verify””
Jim Costa: “Well I agree”.
