Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia and US Ambassador discussed a wide  range of issues

ArmInfo.Prime Minister of Armenia Suren Papikyan received US Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Armenia Lynne Tracy, during the meeting with whom a wide range of issues were discussed. This was reported by the press service of the government.

According to the source, during the meeting, the Deputy Prime  Minister attached importance to promoting the economic agenda of  bilateral relations, emphasizing the role of the United States in  various areas, including infrastructure development, water resources  management, energy, in particular, green energy production. The  Deputy Prime Minister noted that the US efforts to develop these  areas deserve a high assessment, expressing hope that support will be  continued.

In turn, US Ambassador Lynne Tracy congratulated Suren Papikyan on  the assumption of the post of Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia,  expressing confidence that fruitful cooperation will continue and  expand in the new status.  It is reported that during the meeting,  the interlocutors discussed reforms in the justice sector, the  creation of a patrol service, the prospects for the development of  the judicial system and infrastructures.

Issues related to the coronavirus pandemic and overcoming its  consequences were raised. Given the impact of the virus, both on  human lives and public health and on national economies, the  importance of vaccine and vaccination availability in the context of  opening borders and easing travel restrictions was emphasized. It was  emphasized that joint and consistent efforts in this direction will  only yield positive results.

The parties also touched upon the course of  administrative-territorial reforms in Armenia, in connection with  which Deputy Prime Minister Suren Papikyan expressed gratitude for  the assistance provided within the framework of USAID.  During the  conversation, they discussed the means of ensuring a healthy  environment in Armenia for international investments, a fair economic  and competitive field, and anti-corruption reforms.  The parties also  touched upon the problems of the mining industry, stressing the  importance of environmental risk management, socio-economic  development of communities and guaranteeing investments.

The Deputy Prime Minister and the US Ambassador also discussed the  situation around the Goris-Kapan road. The Deputy Prime Minister  spoke about the steps towards the construction of an alternative  road. According to him, in the coming days, it is planned to complete  the complete asphalt paving of a new road with a length of 44 km,  after which a new layer of asphalt will be laid on the 17-kilometer  section.  Papikyan also spoke about the construction of a new road  with a length of 18 km of the Tatev-Aghvan section, referring to the  construction of bypass roads in the direction of 4 villages, which  are planned to be completed in the spring of 2022. He also announced  the start of construction work on the Sisian-Kajaran road section of  the North- South transport corridor.  To note, in January-July 2021,  foreign trade turnover between Armenia and the United States  increased by 51%, amounting to $ 104.7 million. At the same time,  export volumes increased by 46.5% to $ 49.6 million, imports by 55.2%  to $ 55.1 million.