OUTGOING U.S. AMBASSADOR AWARDED ARMENIAN MEDAL

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 6, ARMENPRESS : President Robert Kocharian met today with outgoing U.S. ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, who is leaving soon after a two-year long tenure. Kocharian’s press office told Armenpress that the president awarded the ambassador the Armenian medal of Mkhitar Gosh for his contribution to strengthening and development of American-Armenian friendly relations.

Handing over the medal Kocharian thanked the outgoing ambassador for an effective cooperation saying also that in the course of the two years when Evans served as ambassador here bilateral relations marked serious progress encompassing new areas of cooperation and producing a tangible output.

John Evans said the high award was an evaluation of his and the embassy staff work. He also stressed the importance of a wide range of bilateral projects now underway in Armenia, singling out the Armenian program of the Millennium Challenges Corporation which he said opens new and broad avenues for Armenia’s development.

Kocharian’s press office said the two men discussed also a set of other issues, particularly, on the Karabakh conflict, regional developments and security affairs.