Mirzoyan and Blinken sign Charter on Strategic Partnership between Armenia and the USA

YEREVAN, January 15. /ARKA/. On January 14, in Washington, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan had a meeting with the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

The meeting followed the signing of the Charter on Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Armenia and the United States of America, the Armenian Foreign Ministry reported.

The preamble of the Charter states that ‘The Republic of Armenia and the United States of America affirm the importance of their relationship as friends and strategic partners and intend to deepen their partnership to the benefit of both nations and expand cooperation across a broad spectrum of mutual priorities.’ 

The Charter is based on core basic principles and beliefs shared by both sides: Support for each other’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity constitute the foundation of our bilateral relations.

Speaking after the signing ceremony Minister Mirzoyan said that the Armenia - U.S. Strategic Partnership Charter provides a robust framework and injects greater ambition into our cooperation.

'It spans a wide array of fields including strengthening economic and energy ties, connectivity, deepening defence and security cooperation, reinforcing democratic institutions, promoting justice and the rule of law, fostering innovation and high technologies, and enhancing people-to-people contacts.

Mirzoyan said also that the sides commence negotiations on a nuclear cooperation agreement with the US, commonly known as 123 Agreement. It will provide a framework for cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy and mark our commitment to peaceful nuclear development under the highest standards of safety, security, and non-proliferation.

Mirzoyan and Blinken mutually emphasized the importance of establishing the Strategic Partnership between the two countries as a historic milestone in deepening relations and a guarantee of ensuring new joint achievements.

Ararat Mirzoyan and Anthony Blinken discussed agenda issues aimed at further deepening cooperation between Armenia and the United States, current work/ongoing efforts and potential further steps.

Minister Mirzoyan noted that the signing of the Charter on Strategic Partnership between Armenia and the US is the result of dynamic cooperation and mutual strong commitment in recent years. Ararat Mirzoyan expressed his gratitude to Antony Blinken for his contribution to the signing of the charter, strengthening bilateral cooperation and the support provided to Armenia.

Foreign Minister of Armenia and the US Secretary of State touched upon sectoral cooperation initiatives and new opportunities stemming from the establishment of the Strategic Partnership, aimed at strengthening the resilience of Armenia and promoting its economic development.

The process aimed at deepening the Armenia-EU partnership was also touched upon.

Ararat Mirzoyan and Antony Blinken exchanged views on regional developments. The interlocutors touched upon the security situation in the South Caucasus, opportunities for establishing peace, as well as existing challenges and efforts aimed at effectively addressing them. Minister Mirzoyan emphasized that normalizing relations with neighbors, ensuring full respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, and recognizing the importance of economic development are fundamental to the vision of the government of Armenia and will remain key guiding principles for future actions.-0-