Sanctions Relief Removes Obstacle to U.S.-Armenia Aluminum Trade

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Senate has rejected a bid to block the easing of sanctions on Russian aluminum company Rusal PLC, which will have the practical effect of reducing pressure on an Armenian aluminum mill, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). The Armenal mill employs 700 people in Yerevan, indirectly supports thousands of area families and exports products to U.S. and other international markets.

“While we did not take a position on the broader policy debate over the lifting of specific sanctions, we do welcome the net effect of today’s vote, which is to ease pressure on a successful, export-driven Armenian enterprise that employs over 700, supports many times that number of Armenian families, and exports products to U.S. markets,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Suren Hamparian. “The ANCA remains committed to working constructively with legislators from both parties to address undue, improper, or unintended consequences of U.S. regional sanctions on Armenia and the U.S.-Armenia trade relationship.”