Armenia strengthens U.S. ties, distances from Russia
Armenia and the United States of America have signed a strategic partnership charter between the two countries, reports "Armenpress." The document was signed by Armenia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ararat Mirzojan, and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The signing ceremony took place in Washington, D.C., as part of a bilateral meeting.
Antony Blinken emphasized that the signing of the charter represents an important milestone in the development of relations between the two countries.
They chose the United States
"We’re establishing our U.S.-Armenia Strategic Partnership Commission. This commission gives us a framework to expand our bilateral cooperation in a number of key areas: economic matters, security and defense, democracy, justice, inclusion, and people-to-people exchanges. We are increasingly strong partners, and I think that is for the good of both of our countries as well as the good of the region and beyond," stated the U.S. Secretary of State. He also added that the new charter aims to create a "more sustainable, peaceful, secure, and independent" society.
Ararat Mirzoyan, on the other hand, noted that the document makes Armenian-American cooperation "more ambitious." "It covers a wide range of areas, including strengthening economic and energy ties, deepening cooperation in defense and security, strengthening democratic institutions, promoting justice and the rule of law, promoting innovation and high technology, and expanding people–to-people contacts," emphasized Mirzoyan.
The Minister expressed gratitude to the United States for its support of Armenia's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, as well as for its efforts to ensure stable and lasting peace in the South Caucasus.
"Let this Charter serve as a testament to the deepening strategic relations between Armenia and the United States and as a roadmap for a future filled with shared achievements," he added.
Armenia turns away from Russia
The intention to develop a strategic partnership with the United States was mentioned by Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan back in the summer of 2024 in his congratulatory letter to President Joe Biden on the occasion of U.S. Independence Day.
Meanwhile, Pashinyan has repeatedly criticized the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) after Yerevan unsuccessfully sought assistance from the organization in 2022–2023 amid escalating conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Pashinyan described the CSTO as a "bubble alliance," emphasizing that the organization did not delineate the sovereign territory of Armenia it would be willing to defend. Moreover, he accused some members of the bloc, including Belarus, of supporting Azerbaijan during the fighting in Karabakh.
In February 2024, Armenia officially suspended its participation in the CSTO, halting the payment of contributions and participation in joint exercises. According to Pashinyan, the collective security treaty ceased to serve Armenia's interests, and leaving the organization would be the next logical step.
