Ambassador John Heffern\’s Farewell Message

“Until We Meet Again, Armenia”

YEREVAN — Outgoing U.S. Ambassador in Yerevan left Armenia, but addressed the Armenian people in a blog with the title “Until We Meet Again, Armenia”.

Heffern expressed gratitude to the Armenian people for their cordial reception and wished them a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. “There is so much that I want to say and so much that I’m grateful for. We have done a lot together these last three years since my wife and I arrived in Yerevan in October 2011. The U.S. Embassy’s mission is clear ­ to help Armenia succeed as a democratic, prosperous, peaceful and secure country. And to do this we’ve tried to focus on opportunities, partnership and shared values,” the Ambassador said.

“A successful Armenia has strategic options, both in the region and internationally. Armenia’s international friends and partners can’t accomplish all this alone. Armenians need to accomplish the shared objectives together. The Embassy has tried to identify Armenia’s partners who share our values and who are trying to help improve the lives of Armenia’s citizens, and we found many such partners in every sector and we’re working with them…If these like-­minded groups work together to improve the business climate and governance here, to open up the electoral process, and to create a climate of innovation, entrepreneurship, confidence and tolerance, then I’m sure Armenia’s future is bright,” the Ambassador emphasized, adding that Armenia’s future is as a knowledge ­based economy.