U.S. Ambassador Visits Shirak Marz

September 18, 2009

U.S. Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch conducted a brief  tour of Shirak Marz, September   17-18.  The purpose of the visit  was to learn about the social, economic, and political issues that are  currently impacting the region.  On  Thursday the Ambassador visited the South Caucasus Railway Company (SCRC)  station west of Gyumri.  She observed  operations at the Bavra checkpoint on the Georgian border and toured the  Ashotsk Cheese Factory.  On Friday the  Ambassador conducted a roundtable discussion with NGO representatives at the  Asperaz Press Club.  Following the meeting,  she inspected some USAID sponsored health project sites north of Gyumri and  visited the Our Lady of Armenia orphanage in Gyumri.  She concluded her visit with a tour of the  Gala TV studio.