On August 26, 2025, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Armenia Vahan Kostanyan and the United Kingdom Secretary of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories Stephen Dowty held the second round of the Armenia-United Kingdom Strategic Dialogue in Yerevan.
Building on the inaugural meeting of the Strategic Dialogue held in London in 2023, both sides assessed the progress achieved. They reaffirmed the importance of regular high-level contacts to strengthen and expand the Armenia-United Kingdom bilateral partnership.
The parties reaffirmed their strong commitment to democracy, the rule of law, and the protection of fundamental human rights at the regional and global levels, anchored in respect for shared values, international law, democratic principles, and an international order based on rules.
The Armenian side presented the ongoing democratic transformations in the country, including efforts to strengthen democracy, promote the rule of law, protect human rights, and expand anti-corruption measures. The United Kingdom highly appreciated Armenia’s progress and reaffirmed its support for the continuation of the reforms above.
The parties agreed to elevate relations to the level of Strategic Partnership. The parties discussed expanding cooperation in the security and defense sectors, including future high-level contacts, the exchange of military attaches on defense issues, and closer cooperation in the areas of cybersecurity and countering hybrid threats.
In the context of enhancing the level of relations, both sides emphasized the importance of continuing to deepen economic cooperation. The parties expressed their intention to deepen business ties and promote economic growth through collaboration, including by supporting Armenia’s inclusive economic development, reforms, and diversification, in cooperation with international financial institutions. The parties discussed the RA-UK Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement. Armenia highlighted the potential of the UK Export Finance Facility in promoting trade and investment.
The parties also welcomed the growth of people-to-people contacts and stressed the importance of further cooperation in the fields of professional exchanges, education, and culture.
Turning to regional and international issues, the parties exchanged views on key developments, including the situation in the Middle East. Particular attention was paid to the South Caucasus. The United Kingdom welcomed the agreements recently reached between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Washington, stressing that they are decisive steps towards the full normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, based on mutual recognition of each other’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the inviolability of internationally recognized borders, in accordance with the 1991 Almaty Declaration.
The parties reaffirmed the importance of opening communication channels between Armenia and Azerbaijan to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and surrounding areas, based on reciprocity, as well as respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and jurisdiction of states. The “Crossroads of Peace” initiative, as a platform for expanding regional connectivity and economic cooperation, was also discussed.
In the context of upcoming events, the parties discussed two major international events to be held in Armenia in 2026: the European Political Community Summit and the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17). The United Kingdom expressed its readiness to support Armenia in the effective organization of COP17 to ensure clear and meaningful outcomes.
The dialogue concluded with the establishment of a strategic partnership between the Republic of Armenia and the United Kingdom, reaffirming their shared commitment to deepening bilateral relations and expanding close cooperation.
