On October 30, a formal reception was held in Washington, D.C., to mark the 34th anniversary of Armenia’s independence. The event brought together senior officials from various U.S. government agencies, foreign diplomats accredited in the U.S., representatives from diplomatic and defense circles, American business figures, Armenian honorary consuls, and members of the Armenian community.
Jonathan Askonas, a representative of the U.S. Department of State’s policy planning staff, addressed the gathering, offering congratulations on the occasion and reaffirming the United States’ commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation. The Armenian Embassy in the U.S. shared details of the event.
In his speech, Armenian Ambassador Narek Mkrtchyan emphasized the historical significance of independence and presented the original ballot from the 1991 Armenian independence referendum, describing it as a symbol of the Armenian people’s united will to establish a sovereign state.
Referring to recent regional developments, the ambassador highlighted the historical importance of the peace agreement signed on August 8 at the White House, mediated by President Donald Trump. He expressed gratitude to the U.S. administration for its sustained support for Armenia and stressed the importance of strengthening ties between the two nations based on peace, democracy, and mutual respect.
The cultural program featured mono-operas “Reflections” and “Dialogue” by Armenian composer Shushan Sargsyan. Pianist, composer, and founder of the avant-garde jazz-rock group Katuner, Vahagn Hayrapetyan, also performed a jazz set.
On August 8, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a joint declaration at the White House, following a trilateral summit. Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers Ararat Mirzoyan and Jeyhun Bayramov preliminarily signed a peace agreement titled “On the Establishment of Peace and Interstate Relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan” in the presence of the leaders.
