Nominee for US Secretary of State: "U.S. leadership and re-engagement in the region at large will help build the necessary trust to improve relations between Armenia and Turkey"
ArmInfo. "If confirmed, I will work with the governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan to find a peaceful, long-term solution that allows for stability and prosperity in the region," Rex Tillerson, nominee for US Secretary of State, said during the debates in US Congress.
The Armenian Assembly of America quotes Tillerson as saying, "The first step in this process must be to build trust by ensuring that all agreements between the parties are respected."
As regards the Armenian-Turkish agenda, Tillerson said, "I will support the normalized diplomatic, economic, and civil society relations, between Armenia and Turkey in my ongoing discussions with the two parties. U.S. leadership and re-engagement in the region at large will help build the necessary trust to improve relations between Armenia and Turkey." He also added that he will "ensure protection of religious minorities and their property rights, including the Armenian community in Turkey."
In addition, Tillerson assured that he is committed to fostering the relationship between the U.S. and Armenia, including economic opportunities. "It is in the interest of the United States to promote mutually beneficial trade between the United States and Armenia. If confirmed, I will work closely with the U.S. Trade Representative and other relevant parts of the U.S. government to explore the possibilities to expand trade and investment between the United States and Armenia in a way that creates U.S. jobs and economic growth," he continued. Tillerson also recognized "the tremendous challenges facing Armenia due to the influx of refugees" and plans "to ensure cost-effective assistance to Armenia as part of a broader strategy for handling the Syrian refugee issue and protecting U.S. national security interests."