Syunik Governor Melikset Poghosyan received the newly appointed Deputy Chief of Mission to Armenia Chip Leitinen. He was accompanied by s military attaché and the newly appointed head of the political and economic office of the Embassy.

Syunik regional administration reported.

“As the Deputy Chief of Mission mentioned, it was the wish of the US Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Armenia Lynne Tracy that they all start their first visit to Armenia from Syunik, emphasizing the priority of this region in terms of the work of the Embassy.

Mr. Leitinen mentioned that they want to get acquainted with the situation on the spot and understand how they can continue to support democratic and economic developments, as well as learn about security issues.

Welcoming the first visit of the diplomats to Syunik, Melikset Poghosyan presented the situation created here in the post-war period, the concerns of the region’s leadership and population, and the problems they are related to due to the new border situation.

During the meeting the parties discussed security, roads and traffic, economic and other issues.

“The Governor expressed readiness for further active cooperation, and since they also spoke about the programs implemented by USAID in the region, he expressed hope that they will be continuous,” the statement reads.