US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O’Brien attended the Armenian-US Strategic Dialogue meeting in Yerevan on 11 June amid mass protests, according to Armenian media.
During the meeting with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, O’Brien assured that the US administration would continue to support the Armenian government in promoting reforms in various areas.
Pashinyan stated that the meeting would give a new impetus to the further development and strengthening of co-operation between Armenia and the United States. He noted that the US provided assistance to democratic reforms in his country.
The leader also emphasised the significance of effectively implementing the agreements reached during the high-level Armenia-EU-US meeting held in Brussels on 5 May.
The parties also discussed the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty, the border delimitation process based on the Alma-Ata Declaration, as well as the Armenian government’s Crossroads of Peace project and its principles.
Armenian PM stated that the government had approved a housing provision programme for people forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh. He also emphasised the need for support from international partners in its implementation.
Meanwhile, protests rage against the border delimitation process and the transfer of several villages in the Tavush region to Azerbaijan. The protesters disagree with Pashinyan’s policies and demand his resignation. They also accuse the prime minister of neglecting national interests in favour of co-operation with the US.
In total, according to the media, the opposition blocked 28 avenues, streets, and highways in Yerevan. The police used tear gas to disperse the demonstrators, and unblock communications. 273 protesters have already been detained.
