Acting Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan on Thursday received Philip Reeker, the US Acting Assistant Secretary of European and Eurasian Affairs, and the delegation headed by him.

Pashinyan attached importance to the development of Armenian-American cooperation, and noted that this visit by Reeker is a good opportunity to discuss the agenda and prospects of bilateral relations.

The acting premier expressed his appreciation for US President Joe Biden's message on the official recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide, and expressed hope that this will contribute to maintaining stability and security in the region.

Reeker, for his part,  noted that this is his first visit to Armenia and he is glad to be in Yerevan to discuss bilateral relations with his Armenian colleagues. Also, he conveyed to Nikol Pashinyan the greetings of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and reaffirmed their readiness to develop partnership with Armenia.

Also, the American official lauded the processes aimed at the development of democratic institutions in Armenia, and noted the readiness of the American side to continue assisting Armenia in the implementation of democratic reforms.

The interlocutors reflected also on the situation in the region. Both sides stressed the importance of the role of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and the need to take steps to reduce tension in the region.

In the context of the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) conflict, the acting PM of Armenia stressed the position of the Armenian side that this conflict shall be settled within the framework of the peace process under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, and based on the principles proposed by these co-chairs.

Nikol Pashinyan drew his interlocutor's attention to the need for the immediate return of the Armenian captives, hostages, and other detainees in Azerbaijan, and the immediate withdrawal of the Azerbaijani army units from the sovereign territory of Armenia.

The parties discussed also the matters that are on the agenda of their bilateral cooperation.