Armenia’s President Vahagn Khachaturyan, who is on a visit to California, met with Governor Gavin Newsom in Sacramento on Wednesday.
The sides praised the close and multi-faceted, three-decade-long cooperation between Armenia and California. It was emphasized that the Armenian community in California, which is the largest Diaspora community, play a significant role in U.S.-Armenia relations.
Khachaturyan emphasized that the high-tech sector has significantly strengthened its position in the Armenian economy in recent years, and since a number of the largest companies in that field are represented in California’s Silicon Valley, there is a need to promote cooperation between Armenia and California.
Newsom expressed interest in the developments of Armenia’s economic policy in recent years, especially during and after the pandemic.
Khachaturyan noted that during the Covid 19 crisis, the Armenian government implemented a number of steps that enabled the country’s economy to quickly recover in the post-covid period.
The President stressed that the implementation of such programs became possible as a result of democratic reforms and strengthening of democratic institutions implemented in the political and economic life of Armenia in recent years. In this context, Khachaturyan also thanked the U.S. senior leadership for the support provided to Armenia for strengthening democracy and implementing democratic reforms.
During the conversation, Khachaturyan and Newsom exchanged views on regional and global developments and existing challenges. Both sides emphasized the importance of settling the hot conflicts through peaceful negotiation and finding solutions.
Referring to the regional realities of the South Caucasus and the principles of Armenia’s foreign policy, Khachaturyan reaffirmed Armenia’s determination and unequivocal position to build good-neighborly relations with its neighbors, an expression of which is the border delimitation process currently being carried out for the first time between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
At the end of the meeting, Khachaturyan invited Governor Newsom to visit Armenia any time convenient to him, which will be an additional incentive for the expansion of cooperation between Armenia and California.