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A delegation of the US Congress, including both Republican and Democrat congressmen, are set to pay a one-week visit to Armenia on 1 October to discuss practical plans for cooperation with the Armenian government, the Voice of America’s Armenian service reported, citing Congresswoman Jackie Kanchelian Speier.

“I am sure we will be proud to witness the new reality of Armenia. Democracy has become tangible in Armenia when it declines worldwide. Armenia is a bright spot in this gray picture, and it’s the duty of us all to keep that light on,” she was quoted as saying at a gala of the Armenian Assembly of America.

According to her, as the most powerful democratic country in the world the United States should support Armenia in establishing democracy. The congresswoman hailed the 2018 Velvet Revolution as an unprecedented event not only for Armenia but for the whole world.

Speier believes Armenia is facing three major challenges now – developing the economy, strengthening its position in the region and opening up opportunities for its own citizens.

She added implementing democratic reforms and cracking down on corruption are challenges which the government enjoying high public support can overcome easier.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has sent a special congratulatory letter to Jackie Speier on the occasion of the Assembly’s awards ceremony, a letter which, Speier says, has special significance for her.

By the initiative of Jackie Speier, the US will provide additional $40 million in democracy aid to Armenia this year based on a bill passed by the majority of the US House of Representatives.