Representative Frank Pallone (D-NJ) – founding Co-Chair of the Congressional Armenian Caucus – introduced a bipartisan resolution Thursday welcoming Armenia’s 2018 peaceful political transition, praising the US-Armenia “strategic partnership,” and calling for upgraded bilateral cooperation on political, economic, military, and development challenges, Asbarez reports, citing the Armenian National Committee of America.
In new legislation, US Representative Frank Pallone praises US-Armenia ‘strategic partnership’
STEPANAKERT, JUNE 21, ARTSAKHPRESS: Rep. Pallone was joined by Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Jackie Speier (D-CA) and Vice-Chairs Peter King (R-NY) and Adam Schiff (D-CA) in spearheading the measure.
Rep. Pallone shared his thoughts about the resolution with the ANCA in a video message.
“Armenia’s recent free and fair parliamentary elections provide an opening to strengthen U.S. ties to Armenia and support democratic institutions and economic growth, and Congress and the Administration should take the initiative to do so,” said Rep. Schiff. “I am pleased to support this resolution along with my colleagues on the Congressional Armenia Caucus to recognize the progress Armenia has made and to support continued engagement to empower the Armenian people and deepen our bilateral relationship.”
The resolution references the genesis of formal US-Armenia diplomatic ties, noting that: “the United States formally recognized the independence of the Republic of Armenia almost a century ago on April 23, 1920, through a letter from Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby to the Representative of the Armenian Republic, Garegin Pasdermadjian, informing him of President Woodrow Wilson’s decision.” Also cited is the 1994 regional “ceasefire agreement signed by Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Nagorno Karabakh,” within the context of Armenia’s continued constructive engagement in the OSCE Minsk Group process, co-chaired by the United States.
This measure praises: “the longstanding friendship of the American and Armenian peoples, reinforced during decades of principled United States leadership for Armenian independence from Soviet tyranny, and expanded, in the years since Armenia’s reborn independence,” adding: “almost a century after the United States first formally recognized the independence of the Republic of Armenia the bilateral political, economic, and strategic partnership between the two countries continues to flourish.”
The Caucus leadership also note, in this resolution, that: “Armenia’s aid-to-trade transition requires continued United States leadership on trade and investment promotion, upgraded engagement through the Economic Task Force and Trade and Investment Framework Agreement Council, and the exploration of mutually beneficial economic accords,” a reference to bilateral discussions around a new U.S.-Armenia Tax Treaty and Social Security Totalization Agreement.
The complete text of the resolution is provided below.
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the recent free and fair parliamentary elections and transfer of power in Armenia, reaffirming the critical importance of the United States-Armenia partnership, and for other purposes.
Whereas the United States formally recognized the independence of the Republic of Armenia almost a century ago on April 23, 1920, through a letter from Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby to the Representative of the Armenian Republic, Garegin Pasdermadjian, informing him of President Woodrow Wilson’s decision;
Whereas the United States recognized the reestablishment of Armenia’s independence following seven decades of Soviet rule on December 25, 1991, when President George H. W. Bush announced this decision in an address regarding the dissolution of the Soviet Union;
Whereas the people of the Republic of Armenia showed their commitment to democracy, anti-corruption measures, and rule of law during their nonviolent ‘‘Velvet Revolution’’ between April and May of 2018, leading to the peaceful transfer of executive leadership;
Whereas the Velvet Revolution culminated in the December 9, 2018, national parliamentary elections that “were held with respect for fundamental freedoms and enjoyed broad public trust that needs to be preserved through further electoral reforms,” according to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) election observation mission;
Whereas the longstanding friendship of the American and Armenian peoples reinforced during decades of principled United States leadership for Armenian independence from Soviet tyranny, and expanded, in the years since Armenia’s reborn independence, through regional and international security cooperation, and mutually beneficial bilateral political, economic, military, democracy, and development partnerships;
Whereas almost a century after the United States first formally recognized the independence of the Republic of Armenia the bilateral political, economic, and strategic partnership between the two countries continues to flourish;
Whereas United States-Armenia ties are deeply rooted in shared democratic values, the United States’ enduring commitment to Armenia’s independence, and a common vision of regional peace and global security, as reflected in Armenia’s membership in NATO’s Partnership for Peace and its record of deployments as part of United States-led peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Kosovo, and Mali;
Whereas Armenia’s aid-to-trade transition requires continued United States leadership on trade and investment pro- motion, upgraded engagement through the Economic Task Force and Trade and Investment Framework Agreement Council, and the exploration of mutually beneficial economic accords; and
Whereas continued United States investment into initiatives that further government transparency, strengthen democratic institutions, and empower civil society in Armenia will only help to bolster the historic ties and friendship between the two countries: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives —
(1) celebrates almost a century of United States-Armenia relations, the enduring friendship of the American and Armenian peoples, the strong bonds between the two governments, and the many contributions Americans of Armenian heritage continue to make to the United States;
(2) honors and congratulates the people of Armenia on their peaceful and constitutional leadership transition and the December 9, 2018, democratic parliamentary elections broadly recognized as free and fair; and
(3) calls for continued United States leadership in helping empower the Armenian people to solidify their progress by strengthening United States-Armenia relations through bilateral visits, defense consultations to draw Armenia closer to the United States, increased cooperation on international peace-keeping operations, targeted trade and investment promotion, and support for political party development, transparency, rule of law, civil society development, and media freedom.