WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Robert Andrews (D-NJ) has called on the Obama Administration to negotiate a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) with Armenia, in order to help “foster economic growth in both the United States and Armenia while strengthening our nation’s bond with the Armenian people,” reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

Representative Andrews, who serves as a senior member of the influential Budget and Armed Services committees, wrote, in a September 7, 2010 letter to U.S. Trade Representative, Ambassador Ron Kirk, that such an agreement would, ” build upon our current economic dialogue with Armenia and establish a broader reach than the U.S.-Armenia Joint Economic Task Force.” He added that, a TIFA “would provide a more consistent platform for our government to meet and consult with Armenian government officials regarding economic cooperation and trade and investment opportunities.”

“We join with Armenian Americans from throughout New Jersey and across the United States in thanking Congressman Andrews for his leadership in fighting for increased trade between the United States and Armenia,” said ANCA New Jersey Co-Chairman James Sahagian. “This is a win-win opportunity. Putting in place a TIFA will promote increased bilateral trade and investment, creating export-driven jobs both here at home and in Armenia.”

In making the case for a U.S.-Armenia TIFA, the New Jersey legislator cited Armenia’s progress in implementing economic reforms and called attention to Armenia’s cooperation with the United States on regional and global security priorities. He also noted that the Administration, by moving forward with such an accord, would embody the President’s campaign pledge to support “Armenia’s growth and development through expanded trade and targeted aid, and by strengthening the commercial, political, military, developmental, and cultural relationships between the U.S. and Armenian governments.

The ANCA has called on Ambassador Kirk to move forward with a U.S.-Armenia TIFA, and has shared with the Administration and Members of Congress its views on the mutual economic and foreign policy benefits that the negotiation of such an accord would provide to both the U.S. and Armenia.