Ambassador Arman Kirakossian's New Year 2004 Address to the Armenian-American Community

Dear compatriots,

On the festive occasion of the New Year and Armenian Christmas, I am delighted to extend to you my best wishes for happiness, success, and well being in 2004!

The past year was well saturated with momentous political, economic, and international events in Armenia, the region, and the world. Armenia held presidential elections, re-electing President Robert Kocharian for his second 5-year term. The parliamentary elections in May produced, for the first time in post-independence history, a coalition government of three parties that submitted a serious program for democratic and economic development, educational and science reforms, fighting corruption, and further liberalization of the economic and business environment. The elections were vigorously and passionately contested, and all the candidates adhered to constitutional norms of the elections process and appealing the election results, helping maintain the much-needed domestic political stability in Armenia, which is essential given the unresolved nature of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and the unstable international environment in the region.

After a yearlong hiatus because of elections in Armenia and Azerbaijan, negotiations resumed between President Robert Kocharian and newly-elected Azeri President Ilham Aliyev in December. Armenia and Artsakh remain committed to a peaceful settlement of the conflict, while continuing to maintain and improve the combat readiness of their Armed Forces. The OSCE Minsk Group, of which the United States is the Co-Chair, continued its positive engagement in the mediation efforts to help settle the conflict. Meanwhile, another segment of the North-South highway in Artsakh was completed, as the Hayastan Fund Telethon raised additional funds for this and other crucial infrastructure projects in Armenia and Artsakh.

Armenia continued to tangibly assist the United States-led international campaign against the terrorism. The Armenian Armed Forces agreed to provide a demining platoon and medical officers for post-conflict rehabilitation efforts in Iraq. These and other issues, such as bilateral trade, economic, military, and political cooperation, U.S. assistance to Armenia to promote its democratic and economic development, and regional cooperation and stability, were the focus of increasingly strong dialog between the United States and Armenia.

The Republic of Armenia enjoyed another year of rapid economic growth, nearly 15%, fueled not only by the public infrastructure projects of the Armenian American benefactor Kirk Kerkorian's Lincy Foundation, but also by the ingenuity, resourcefulness, and enterprising spirit of thousands of Armenian businesses, small and large. In 2003, exports have grown by 35% and industrial output increased by 21%, displaying to the world and neighboring countries alike that the adversity and blockades cannot stifle the Armenian economy.

The challenge is now to ensure that the economic growth helps raise the living standards of hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people in Armenia. The Armenian Government recognizes its responsibilities, and, in cooperation with international donors, has adopted an ambitious long-term poverty reduction program. Growing economy and tax base help the government increase social spending to alleviate poverty and suffering. Yet, the government cannot provide all solutions to this problem; as economy continues to grow and new jobs are created, more and more people will be able to enjoy the fruits of prosperity in the homeland. The Armenian Americans can help by investing in Armenia, trading with Armenia and purchasing quality Armenian products. Last September, the first Armenia Diaspora Business Forum was held in Yerevan to discuss trade, economic cooperation, and investments in Armenia. All of us should continue to help the needy through many worthy humanitarian projects in Armenia, and supporting the educational and science sectors in the Homeland.

I want to thank the Armenian American communities, organizations, and individuals for their support, commitment, and activism on behalf of Armenia and issues of concern to the Armenian people. I look forward to another productive year of working together with Armenian American political and cultural organizations, Armenian Apostolic Church and Armenian religious denominations, business leaders, media, individual benefactors and community members to further the interests of the Armenian people and to bring us one year closer to our common goal of a prosperous, democratic, and strong Homeland Hayastan.