YEREVAN — Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has congratulated Joe Biden on winning the United States presidential election, expressing a hope that the new administration in Washington “will take active steps to stop the war and bring about a comprehensive settlement” of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Still during his election campaign in October Biden publicly called on President Donald Trump to “get personally involved” to put an end to the ongoing hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh and promised that under his administration the United States will lead an international diplomatic effort to end the fighting.
“As a candidate you have laid out a vision for the resolution of the conflict exclusively through peaceful means. I salute that vision,” Pashinyan wrote in his congratulatory message disseminated by his office on Sunday.
“I am hopeful that your Administration will take active steps to stop the war and bring about a comprehensive settlement of the conflict based on safeguards providing for the security of the people of Artsakh [the Armenian name for Nagorno-Karabakh] through the exercise of its right to self-determination,” the Armenian premier added.
The head of the Armenian government stressed that Yerevan “deeply values the role that the United States plays in the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as a Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group.”
“As you are aware, for over a month now, Azerbaijan and Turkey with the use of foreign terrorists have been fighting a war of aggression against Armenia and Artsakh in defiance of all efforts of the Co-Chairs to establish ceasefire,” Pashinyan emphasized.
In his message to President-elect Biden the Armenian premier also said that he was convinced that “the wealth of experience and wisdom that you gained through your distinguished career in politics and legislature will guide you well as you lead the United States and its people on the path toward continued progress and prosperity.”
“Throughout your service, you have made great contributions to the strengthening of the U.S.-Armenia friendship and mutually beneficial relationship. The Armenian people appreciate your principled stance on the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, and your support for the pursuit of their fundamental rights.
“Bilateral relations between Armenia and the United States are built on shared democratic values. I am convinced that our cooperation will continue to flourish during your presidency, consistent with the level of the strategic dialogue that underlies the relationship between our two nations.
“That process, of course, benefits from the invaluable role that the Armenian American community plays, acting as a bridge between our countries,” Pashinyan said, wishing President-elect Biden “continued good health, and a successful and fruitful term in office.”
