Enlargement of U.S. economic and military aid to Armenia is in the interests of both countries. This is what U.S. Congressman and member of the Committee on Intelligence Adam Schiff declared, as reported the Voice of America, according to news.am.

According to him, Armenia has recently been under the serious influence of Russia and that can’t be considered a positive impact at all.

According to Adam Schiff, developing close relations with the U.S. and Russia is in Armenia’s interests.

“The relations with the United States can develop in different directions. We can continue to carry out previous projects such as the projects of the Millennium Challenges Corporation, U.S. foreign assistance projects and the demining projects. We must also pressure Azerbaijan and not allow it to make provocations at the line of contact,” he said.

Schiff believes the fight against corruption, economic development and the ensuring of employment for the brilliant people of Armenia are in Armenia’s interests. “What I would like the most is to see Armenia become a Silicon Valley in the Caucasus and attract the entire intellectual potential since it is impossible to block intellectual capabilities. So, the field of high technologies is very perspective for Armenia,” the Congressman emphasized.

Touching upon U.S. assistance to Armenia, he stressed that it would continue, in spite of U.S. budget cuts. Schiff also said the Armenian Diaspora should actively participate in shaping the future of the country. “It is very important for the Diaspora, which has a great influence on Armenia, to help Armenia move forward on the democratic path,” Adam Schiff concluded.