Following the results of the concluding session of the RA-US strategic dialogue, the governments of the Republic of Armenia and the United States of America issued this joint statement.
On June 11, within the framework of the concluding session of the RA-US strategic dialogue in Yerevan, RA Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan hosted the interdepartmental delegation led by US Undersecretary for European and Eurasian Affairs James O'Brien. During the summary meeting, Armenia and the United States reflected on their progress towards strengthening bilateral relations. They outlined the vision of deepening ties in the coming year, formulated in a Memorandum of Understanding, raising the status of bilateral dialogue to the Strategic Partnership Commission. We expect to outline concrete directions of efforts aimed at deepening our relations in the coming months. The parties positively assessed the cooperation supporting Armenia's current reforms and democratic progress and noted Armenia's aspirations for closer cooperation with the Euro-Atlantic structures and the West. The United States reaffirmed its support for Armenia's sovereignty, independence, democracy, and territorial integrity in 1991 by the Declaration of Alma-Ata.
Support to Armenia's economic and energy resilience
The delegations discussed joint efforts to promote mutual prosperity and economic and energy resilience through closer cooperation with a view to 2024. The crucial discussions were held during the Armenia-EU-US high-level joint meeting in Brussels on April 5. Noting that since 2020, the trade turnover between Armenia and the USA has already quadrupled, the parties committed to expanding commercial and economic ties to the maximum extent. The sides discussed increasing cooperation on sanctions and export control issues. They also discussed export licensing opportunities to facilitate trade in advanced technology products. Discussions also focused on efforts already underway to promote Armenia's food security and energy independence, including identifying US trade solutions in the fields of atomic energy and renewable energy. USAID intends to assist Armenia in developing a transportation strategy that will underpin Armenia's "Crossroads for Peace" vision, encouraging and strengthening regional trade and connectivity through just and lasting peace. This peace will unlock the potential of the entire region and bring substantial benefits to all peoples of the area.
The United States recognizes the ongoing economic and social challenges Armenia faces in supporting displaced persons and refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh and intends to continue to support the Government of Armenia's efforts in this regard. The United States appreciates Armenia's efforts to provide shelter to displaced persons and refugees, and Armenia expressed its appreciation for the more than $21 million in humanitarian assistance that the United States has provided since September 2020 to support displaced persons and refugees from Nagorno Karabakh.
Strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation in the fields of security and law enforcement
The participants of the summary meeting emphasized the critical role of US support in the initiatives of the transformation of the defense sector and the development of the law enforcement system of Armenia, which the US plans to continue to support with consulting programs, army-to-army contacts, professional military education opportunities through the International Military Education and Training (IMET) program and a long-term state partnership program with the Kansas National Guard. The delegations also highlighted one of the critical milestones of cooperation, the "Eagle Partner 2023" exercise. The representatives of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia and the US Department of Defense also welcomed the start of the first annual staff negotiations between the General Staff of the RA Armed Forces and the US European Command in May 2024. They agreed to initiate Armenia-US bilateral defense consultations to outline the goals of defense cooperation.
Building on the experience of successfully establishing the Armenian Patrol Service, which will be nationwide in 2023, the parties discussed future US support to the RA Ministry of Internal Affairs, including planned efforts to develop police education and modernize human resource structures to increase accountability and resilience.
The United States appreciates Armenia's continued contribution to international peacekeeping missions and is ready for additional cooperation in developing peacekeeping and law enforcement agencies.
Promotion of justice, democratic institutions, and shared democratic values
The delegations summarized the ongoing cooperation in the justice field, assessing the USA's significant contribution to the efforts to reform the justice sector in Armenia. The United States also intends to continue supporting Armenian institutions focused on preventing and combating corruption and transnational organized crime, as well as efforts to promote judicial impartiality, integrity, and independence. The delegations discussed the planned programs to support victims and witnesses and ensure access to justice. The United States will continue to support the development of a robust civil society and independent media environment to strengthen Armenia's democratic institutions further and increase transparency. Both sides emphasized respecting human rights, fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law and undertook to work together in this direction. Armenia and the United States reaffirmed their commitment to shared democratic values and the goal of developing a democratic, prosperous, and peaceful Armenia.
