Senator Portantino’s Statement on Resolution to Adopt Sister State Relationship with the Armenian Province of Syunik

For Immediate Release: September 2, 2021

Contact: Lerna Shirinian, (818) 409-0400

Senator Portantino’s Statement on Resolution to Adopt Sister State Relationship with the Armenian Province of Syunik

Sacramento, California – Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – La Cañada Flintridge) released the following statement on Assembly Concurrent Resolution 105 (ACR 105), which recognizes the Armenian Province of Syunik as California’s sister state and was approved today by the Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economic Development and the Economy. ACR 105 was introduced by Assemblymembers Chris Holden and Adrin Nazarian. Senator Portantino is a principal co-author of the measure.

“Today’s resolution adopting the Province of Syunik as California’s sister state is an important declaration of friendship and I am proud to support this endeavor. Many of my neighbors and constituents have family and friends living in Syunik. ACR 105 serves as a connecting bridge to the Province of Syunik and I am confident the relationship will bring prosperity for both regions and facilitate mutually beneficial educational, economic, and cultural exchanges. In 2019, I introduced SB 302 to re-establish the California-Armenia Trade Office in hopes of building a vibrant business relationship between California and Armenia. Governor Newsom signed an agreement to establish the first California Trade and Services Desk in Armenia. The formal MOU between GO-Biz and Impact Hub Yerevan was signed earlier this year. The establishment of a sister state relationship is a continuation of our efforts to strengthen ties with Armenia and represents the strong bond between people of California and Armenia.”

The Armenian Province of Syunik is the southernmost province of Armenia. It is bordered by the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the Republic of Artsakh. It is also one of the original provinces of the ancient Kingdom of Armenia. On May 12, 2021, the Azerbaijani military crossed into the Republic of Armenia and moved 3.5 kilometers into Syunik Province, seizing the entirety of Sev Lake. The next day, the Azerbaijani military breached two other sections of the border and occupied more areas of Armenia. The government of Azerbaijan continues to attack and threaten the internationally recognized borders of the independent state of Armenia.

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