On February 14, Consul General of Armenia in Los Angeles Dr. Armen Baibourtian paid a working visit to the capital of California, Sacramento, where he had a meeting with Hon. Toni Atkins, President pro Tempore of the California State Senate and Hon. Anthony Portantino, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee (Senator Anthony Portantino also chairs the Senate Select Committee on California, Armenia and Artsakh Mutual Trade, Art and Cultural Exchange).

The discussion was focused on fostering cooperation between Armenia and California in all spheres, including economic, high technologies, agriculture, tourism, education and culture. The interlocutors touched upon project concepts for the Senate Select Committee on California, Armenia and Artsakh Mutual Trade, Art and Cultural Exchange. They discussed the ways of enhancing multidimensional bonds of cooperation between California and Armenia, including in the realm of business.

On the occasion of Consul General Baibourtian’s visit to the Senate in Sacramento, Senator Portantino introduced on the same day a bill sanctioning establishment of a California Trade Office in Armenia. After undergoing all the required procedures and becoming a law, it will become the first step to reestablish a California Trade Office out of the US. At the meeting, the Consul General kindly asked for Senate President’s support for the new bill on establishing a California Trade Office in Armenia. He also expressed his profound appreciation in regard to the stance of the California State Assembly on the issues of vital importance for Armenia and the Armenian-American community, such as the international recognition of Artsakh and the condemnation of the Armenian Genocide.