In a ceremony held at the U.S. State Department in Washington, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan signed the “Strategic Partnership Charter,” marking a significant milestone in bilateral relations.
The comprehensive partnership, as outlined by Secretary Blinken, rests on four main pillars: economic cooperation, security and defense collaboration, democratic development, and people-to-people exchanges. A key economic highlight is the upcoming negotiations for a “123 Agreement,” establishing a legal framework for peaceful nuclear cooperation, including transferring nuclear materials, equipment, and technology under strict security protocols.
On security matters, Blinken announced that a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol team would visit Armenia next month to support capacity-building efforts. The partnership builds on existing military cooperation, including the annual “Eagle Partner” bilateral exercises.
As part of the agreement, Armenia will join the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, becoming the 88th member of this international security alliance.
“The Armenian government demonstrates a real commitment to building a more just society. I particularly want to note the work of Prime Minister Pashinyan and his government in implementing reforms in critical areas, especially in justice and law enforcement. Last month at the State Department, we had the honor of presenting one of our anti-corruption leadership awards for exceptional work in fighting corruption,” Blinken stated.
Blinken emphasized that this strategic partnership “will contribute to forming a more resilient, peaceful, and independent South Caucasus. We are becoming increasingly strong partners, and I believe this serves the interests of both our countries, as well as the region and beyond.”
Foreign Minister Mirzoyan highlighted the significance of the charter: “The Armenia-U.S. Strategic Partnership Charter we are signing today provides a robust framework and brings greater ambition to our cooperation.”
“Our relations, based on shared values and mutual interests, have shown remarkable growth in recent years, maturing to a point where upgrading them to a strategic partnership is not only fitting but essential for navigating the complex geopolitical landscape,” Mirzoyan noted. “We deeply appreciate the United States’ unwavering support for Armenia’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.”
Mirzoyan concluded by expressing Armenia’s commitment to the peace agenda and its implementation, emphasizing that the charter would serve as both a testament to deepening strategic relations and a roadmap for a future of shared achievements between the two nations.
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