The United States is ready to assist the efforts of Armenia and Azerbaijan to find comprehensive solutions to all outstanding issues. Lynn Tracy

Factor.am conducted an interview with the US Ambassador to Armenia Lynne Tracy.

-Your Excellency, we have been celebrating 30 years of U.S.-Armenia diplomatic relations since last September. How would you characterize U.S.-Armenia relations and what should be the specific focus for Armenia in its relations with the U.S.?

–The United States and Armenia are celebrating the 30-year anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between our two countries, though the partnership between our peoples goes back even further.  Despite challenges, Armenia – and our partnership – has come a long way since Armenia regained independence in 1991.  The United States highly values our partnership with Armenia, which is based on shared democratic values, and continues to see a positive future for the U.S.-Armenia relationship.  The U.S. Embassy is committed to supporting Armenia’s democratic reform agenda.  Our support crosses many sectors, including building democratic institutions, fighting corruption, promoting inclusive economic development, ensuring international security and regional conflict resolution, and providing humanitarian assistance.

-Madam Ambassador, Armenia has responded to Azerbaijan’s 5 proposals and applied to the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs to start negotiations on a peace agreement. As a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, how does the United States respond to Armenia’s request?

-The United States remains committed to promoting a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous future for the South Caucasus region.  We urge Armenia and Azerbaijan to continue and intensify their diplomatic engagement to find comprehensive solutions to all outstanding issues.  The United States is ready to assist Armenia and Azerbaijan with these efforts.

–Another issue that needs to be resolved after the war is the return of Armenian detainees from Baku. The U.S. had one successful effort in this process: on June 12, 2021 or two days after the regional visit of U.S. Assistant Secretary Philip Reeker Azerbaijan returned 15 Armenian detainees. Any plans to reinvigorate U.S. efforts on this issue?

-We continue to urge the safe and expeditious return of all detainees. Efforts to facilitate the return of all remaining detainees and fully account for missing persons, including from the 1990s, are critical to lasting peace in the region.

-The U.S. welcomes the new process of Armenia-Turkey normalization. Do you remember the 2008-2009 Armenia-Turkey Protocols, where the U.S. was actively involved? What could be the role or engagement of Washington now?

-The United States supports dialogue between Turkey and Armenia that can lead to full normalization of relations between these two neighbors—an outcome important to the future of both countries and for stability in the Caucasus.

–Tracy, U.S.-Armenia relations are anchored on democracy and rule of law. In your recent meeting with the Armenian Prosecutor General you underscored the respect to freedom of expression. “Freedom House” NGO also recently voiced concerns on limitation of free speech urging to revoke the legislation on criminalizing the “grave insult”. In your meeting with the Prosecutor General you also referred to the case of Yezidi human rights activist Sashik Sultanyan. Were you satisfied with the comments offered by the Prosecutor General?

-As we work to perfect our own democracy, we welcome Armenia’s commitment to its democratic reform agenda and look forward to strengthening our bilateral ties based on shared democratic values.

Freedom of expression is a fundamental right, and, despite legitimate malign disinformation and security concerns, individuals should be free to criticize the government without fear of reprisal.  Free media is an integral part of a well-functioning democracy.  We are committed to supporting Armenians’ effort to uphold democratic principles, including freedom of expression.

-Tracy, the world is facing new challenges. Russia has unleashed an attack on Ukraine. The U.S. unequivocally supports territorial integrity of Ukraine and is making efforts to bring peace. How this situation can be resolved in Washington’s official view? How similar developments can be prevented in other post-Soviet countries?  

-Russian strikes are hitting schools, hospitals, residences, destroying critical infrastructure which supplies drinking water, electricity, and gas to keep innocents from freezing to death.  Already, the human costs of the Kremlin’s unwarranted, unprovoked, and unjustified war on Ukraine are staggering.  Thousands of Ukrainians have been killed and wounded, and millions displaced from their homes.  We continue to urge Russia to stop its unprovoked and unjustified attack on Ukraine and end the conflict, and have taken a series of unprecedented and severe steps to impose severe costs on Russia as we said we would do.  Just as the U.S. support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity remains steadfast, so too is our commitment to supporting a sovereign and democratic future for an Armenia at peace with its neighbors.

-Madam Ambassador, you are completing your tenure in Armenia and you have even learnt some Armenian. What will you take with you to your home country? What will be your brightest memory of Armenia?

-Over the past nearly three years, I have traveled across Armenia and everywhere I go, I see courage, strength, hope, resilience, and dedication to build a better future, regardless of how big the challenges and difficulties may be. It is the Armenian people who are truly the country’s greatest asset with their talent, vitality, and creativity, and their memory is something I will always carry with me.  I am proud of the partnership that the United States and the Armenian people have forged over the past thirty years that have laid the groundwork for even closer cooperation as we look to the future.

Hripsime Hovhannisyan