News - US Congressman Joe Wilson: Armenia trying to distance itself from Putin's influence, move closer to the West

There are Republicans and Democrats in this visiting US delegation, and they are all united when it comes to supporting the Armenian people. US Congressman and chairman of the Helsinki Commission, Joe Wilson, stated this during a joint press conference with Armenian National Assembly speaker Alen Simonyan in Yerevan Friday. Armenia is an important partner for the US in the region. The US has seen the changes in the regional landscape, the challenges in the South Caucasus, and Armenia's latest steps to try to distance itself from Russian President Vladimir Putin's influence and move closer to the West, Wilson said. Armenia's desire to conduct an independent foreign policy, in terms of countering Russia's ambitions to restore the USSR, by deepening cooperation in the defense and security sector, the US can ensure that Armenia be resistant to external pressures. This will be mutually beneficial, and this will also be beneficial for the region and global security, the American lawmaker noted. Turkey is a member of NATO, and Azerbaijan uses its oil and natural gas resources Wilson said, adding that they are in Armenia because they are aware of the progress that Armenia has had as a democratic state, and that Armenia is a very important partner for the US. Congressman Wilson urged Azerbaijan to conclude the peace process with Armenia as soon as possible. Also, the US wants to urge Turkey to take steps towards the normalization of relations with Armenia, he added.