RA Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan received the delegation headed by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States to the Republic of Armenia Kristina Kvien.
ESCS Deputy Minister Arthur Martirosyan also attended the meeting.
Welcoming Ambassador Kristina Kvien, Zhanna Andreasyan congratulated her on her appointment and wished her fruitful work for the benefit of the development of Armenian-American friendly relations, expressing confidence that she will contribute to the further strengthening and advancing of relations between Armenia and the United States.
“We have both good cooperation experience and greater potential in the fields of education, science, culture, sports and youth. We will be glad to work together in all directions,” stated the ESCS Minister, emphasizing, in particular, the joint program on “Strengthening the inclusive education system in Armenia”, which is being summed up these days.
The ESCS Minister also stressed the importance of prospects for cooperation with the United States on civic education programs, emphasizing that this is the core of reforms in our education.
In the field of culture, Zhanna Andreasyan particularly appreciated the US assistance aimed at preserving the cultural and historical heritage of Armenia, which, according to the Minister, is a key point in the relations between the two countries. In this context, Zhanna Andreasyan emphasized the reconstruction and conservation project of Saint Hovhannes (St. Sargis) church in “Pokr Tagher” neighborhood of Meghri, implemented with the financial support of the US Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation, and noted that work is currently underway to reconstruct the Sanahin Monastery Complex and Yereruyk Temple.
The ESCS Minister suggested considering the possibility of holding joint festivals and exhibitions in the field of culture, taking into account the good experience of the past.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States Kristina Kvien thanked for the reception and highlighted the importance of advancing cooperation with Armenia: “Numerous educational and cultural programs are being implemented jointly, which are really very important. Still, there are broader prospects for cooperation. I will be glad to continue the established good traditions and fruitful joint work.”
The parties touched upon the joint educational exchange programs, a number of English teaching projects targeted at the training of teachers and instructors, joint programs promoting the teaching of English in rural communities.
The ESCS Minister also highlighted the importance of resuming the activities of the US Peace Corps volunteers in Armenia, which in recent years has been interrupted due to the coronavirus pandemic and the war.
“Over the years of cooperation, hundreds of US Peace Corps volunteers have served in support of English language teaching in different regions of Armenia,” said the Minister.
During the meeting, Zhanna Andreasyan expressed concern about the issue of preserving the Armenian cultural heritage in the territories under the control of Azerbaijan.
The parties also discussed a number of other issues of mutual interest.
