May 6 the new American Embassy in Armenia opened in Yerevan. The symbolic ribbon was cut by Armenian President Robert Kocharian. As US Vice-Ambassador to Armenia Anthony Godfrey told the journalists invited, the new American diplomatic mission is located in a territory of 90 thousand square meters (9 hectares). It is the second on size land property the US State Department has abroad after Germany. 5 buildings are situated in the territory that total 14 thousand square meters. One of these buildings will be assigned to marines. As Godfrey noted, there are 6 of them at the moment. However, according to some reports, their number may soon increase up to 400. The Embassy walls are 50 centimeters wide and are made of solid concrete with metallic grid. The Embassy will have an autonomous energy supply and storage pond, he noted. The lot is the property of the US, bought from the Armenian Government at $5 million. A library will be open in the Embassy every day and all those interested can make use of it. Conditions for those wishing to obtain US visas are considerably improved. If they had to queue in long lines outside in the past, a special hall is designed for them in the new building. As reported by the US Vice-Ambassador, the building cost $76 million to American taxpayers, $18 out of which went to the Armenian economy, as some types of local construction materials were used in the building, as well as labor. It should be reminded that Turkish workers and foremen also participated in the construction works that lasted 4 years. 70 Americans and 350 Armenians work there at present. Opening the new Embassy building US Ambassador to Armenia John Evans stated the new building on the bank of the Yerevan storage pond symbolized the durable relations between the US and Armenia that are highlighted by Washington. “From the day the republic attained independence in 1991 we jointly worked over development of democracy, establishment of free economy and market relations,” he stated, adding at that the US appreciates Armenia’s role in international struggle against terror. Mr. Evans also stated that Washington will continue work with Yerevan and Baku “to find a fair solution to the Karabakh conflict.” “Undoubtedly compromise will be necessary from both parties,” Evans stated, emphasizing the American party is not imposing anything and is ready to support any decision that will fit both parties. Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian being present at the ceremony stated in his turn that the building of the Embassy “is a contribution and pledge of the faith to the US, to the durability of our relations,” “We hope we will make much progress with this building,” he stated, Regnum news agency reported.
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