YEREVAN (Armenpress)– US ambassador to Yerevan Michael Lemmon reiterated on Tuesday the US’s position regarding the improvement of Turkish-Armenian relations.
Talking to Armenian reporters Lemmon said that his country has been supporting normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey–but added that the responsibility primarily lies with the two parties involved.
In response to a question asked whether the US Congress might adopt a resolution acknowledging the Armenian Genocide Lemmon said it was not clear whether such a resolution would normalize relations between Armenia’s and Turks.
"I have never considered this process to be a political one–and though some people will not agree with me–it is rather a spiritual problem," the ambassador said.
A considerable improvement of the situation has been observed in Armenia during the last three years.
Lemmon added that this growth is unsatisfactory–however–unlike some other CIS countries–a growth as opposed to a decline is registered in Armenia.
Michael Lemmon–who is completing his diplomatic mission in Armenia this month–stated that the US policy is aimed at helping Armenia establish a prosperous democratic society. He reiterated that he considered it necessary to boost regional cooperation and economic integration. He also thinks that the Turkish-Armenian Reconciliation Commission–despite all its shortcomings–can promote this process.
The ambassador highly evaluated the complementary policy of Armenia–which is aimed at establishing good relations both with Russia and the United States. At the same time–Lemmon expressed his conviction that Armenia’s good relations with Russia do not harm relations with the Euroatlantic community–especially that Russia considers itself to be part of Europe.
Lemmon also said that the Karabakh settlement is in a deadlock and this year considerable progress has been observed toward a peaceful resolution.