On January 14 Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian met with Charles Kupchan, Special Assistant to the U.S. President and National Security Council Senior Director for Europe.

According to a communique issued by the foreign ministry, Nalbandian mentioned that Armenia attaches great importance to the development of relations with the United States and welcomed   joint steps undertaken to strengthen friendly relations between the two countries.

In turn, Kupchan, expressing gratitude for the reception, noted: “I am glad for this opportunity to discuss how we can strengthen our existing strong and multifaceted relationship, and achieve our shared aim of a free, prosperous, and secure Armenia at peace with its neighbors.”

The sides reflected on numerous issues on the Armenian-US agenda, exchanged thoughts on pressing international problems.

It was noted with satisfaction that the year 2015 was quite dynamic from the perspective of the development of bilateral relations; agreement on visa-free regime between Armenia and the USA entered into force, Armenia-US Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) was signed in May, the first meeting of Armenia-U.S. Council on Trade and Investment created under the agreement was held in November, in Yerevan. Session of Armenian-US Intergovernmental Committee on Economic Cooperation was convened.

International and regional issues, fight against terrorism, ways to conflict resolution, and range of issues on Armenia’s participation in peacekeeping operations were touched upon.

Edward Nalbandian and Charles Kupchan touched upon the ongoing negotiation process on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. Minister Nalbandian stressed that together with the Minsk Group Co-Chairs Armenia will continue exerting joint efforts to arrive at a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.