On December 14, a ceremony was held at the U.S. Department of State to sign the Framework for Strategic Partnership between the United States and Armenia. The document was signed by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan.
During the live-streamed ceremony, Secretary Blinken highlighted four key pillars of the comprehensive partnership between the two countries: economic cooperation, collaboration in security and defense, democratic development, and people-to-people exchanges. He emphasized the upcoming negotiations on the “123 Agreement,” which will open a new chapter in scientific and technological cooperation, including the peaceful use of nuclear technologies.
A critical element of the partnership will be strengthening Armenia’s border security. According to Blinken, a team from U.S. Customs and Border Protection will visit Armenia next month to assist in capacity-building efforts in this area. The partnership will also build on existing military collaboration, including the annual bilateral “Eagle Partner” exercises.
A landmark development is Armenia’s accession to the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, making it the 88th member of this international security alliance.
“Our relationship, built on shared values and mutual interests, has grown significantly in recent years, reaching a point where formalizing it into a strategic partnership is not only appropriate but necessary for navigating the complex geopolitical landscape,” stated Mirzoyan. He expressed Armenia’s deep appreciation for the United States’ unwavering support for the country’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
Blinken noted that this strategic partnership would contribute to fostering a more resilient, peaceful, and independent South Caucasus, aligning with the interests of both nations and the broader region.
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