Armenia–United States Strategic Partnership Charter
| Charter on Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Armenia and the United States of America | |
|---|---|
| Type | Strategic partnership agreement |
| Signed | 14 January 2025 |
| Location | Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Effective | 2025 |
| Condition | Ratified by both parties |
| Signatories |  Armenia United States |
| Ratifiers | |
The Armenia–United States Strategic Partnership Charter is a treaty between Armenia and the United States aimed at strengthening bilateral relations through cooperation on various issues, including democracy, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and economic and military reforms. The full name of the charter is as "Charter on Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Armenia and the United States of America"[1][2]
On 14 January 2025, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken signed a document in Washington, D.C. formalizing the strategic partnership.[3] The agreement is based on shared values such as the promotion of democracy, support for sovereignty, and the inviolability of borders. While the partnership provides for U.S. assistance in Armenia's military and economic reforms, it does not include direct military intervention by the United States in the event of conflict.[4]
The initiative to elevate relations between Armenia and the United States to a strategic partnership was first announced by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on 4 July 2024. Pashinyan expressed Armenia's readiness to strengthen ties with the United States at a strategic level.[4]
Overview
[edit]The Armenia–U.S. Strategic Partnership Charter emphasizes the desire to strengthen bilateral relations based on shared democratic values and mutual interests. Key areas of cooperation include diplomacy, economics, defense, security, culture, and education, with a focus on the promotion of democracy, economic freedom, human rights, the rule of law, and energy security.[5]
Principles of partnership
[edit]The Charter is grounded in the principles of respect for sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. It highlights the commitment to democratic values and aims to support peace and stability in the South Caucasus, bolster Armenia's efforts to integrate into Euro-Atlantic structures, and advance the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan.[5]
Economic and energy cooperation
[edit]Armenia and the United States aim to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, and transportation, as well as diversify Armenia's energy sector, including the development of civilian nuclear energy and renewable energy sources. The parties also plan to foster a better business environment and support Armenia's integration into the global economy.[5]
Defense and security
[edit]The U.S. supports Armenia in enhancing its national security and defense capabilities, including military training and addressing global security threats such as terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Cooperation also extends to cybersecurity.[5]
Strengthening democracy and human rights
[edit]The Charter includes provisions for supporting reforms in Armenia aimed at strengthening the rule of law, judicial independence, freedom of speech, and efforts to combat corruption. The U.S. also provides assistance for Armenia's efforts to protect human rights and expand legal frameworks addressing discrimination and violence.[5]
Cultural and educational exchange
[edit]The partnership also includes the promotion of people-to-people ties through student, academic, and professional exchange programs. The parties plan to foster cultural cooperation, preserve Armenia's cultural heritage, and support educational initiatives.[5]
Analysis
[edit]Armenian analyst Benyamin Poghosyan, have compared the agreement to a similar one signed between the U.S. and Georgia in January 2009. However, Poghosyan noted that the Georgia–United States agreement does not include the same security guarantees provided by the U.S. to countries like Japan, South Korea, or the Philippines.[6] Tigran Grigoryan, Director of the Regional Center for Democracy and Security in Yerevan, says the document strengthens bilateral relations and creates opportunities for closer cooperation in key areas.[6]
Foreign policy shift of Armenia
[edit]A shift in Armenia's foreign policy became evident in late 2022, when Russia and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) did not respond to Armenia's requests for military assistance following an Azerbaijani military incursion into Armenian territory. In the aftermath, Armenia began distancing itself from its allies, and in December 2024, Prime Minister Pashinyan declared that the changes in Armenia's relationship with the CSTO were "irreversible".[7]
Reactions
[edit]
Russia Russian press secretary Dmitry Peskov stated that "The United States has never played a particularly stabilizing role in the South Caucasus - one could even say the opposite. In the context of these 'opposite' actions, the U.S. is certainly trying in every possible way to pull more and more countries into its wake. But this is the absolutely sovereign right of our Armenian friends."[8][9]
International organizations
[edit]- Freedom House welcomed the signing of the charter, calling it "a testament to Armenia’s ongoing progress and dedication to democratic development."[10]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ "Full text of Armenia-US Strategic Partnership Charter publicized". news.am. 15 January 2025. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
- ^ https://www.mfa.am/en/press-releases/2025/01/14/the/13032.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "США и Армения подпишут документ о стратегическом партнерстве". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (in Russian). 14 January 2025. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
- ^ a b "Армения подпишет с США соглашение о стратегическом партнерстве" (in Russian). 14 January 2025. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f "Опубликован текст Хартии о стратегическом партнерстве между Арменией и США". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (in Russian). 15 January 2025. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
- ^ a b Mgdesyan, Arshaluis (14 January 2025). "The US and Armenia to Sign Strategic Partnership Agreement". Business Media (Georgia). Retrieved 14 January 2025.
- ^ "США и Армения договорились о стратегическом партнерстве". Deutsche Welle (in Russian). 14 January 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
- ^ "Песков: США не способствуют стабилизации ситуации на Южном Кавказе". Vedomosti (in Russian). 14 January 2025. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
- ^ "Kremlin, on US-Armenia ties, says Washington plays destabilising role in Caucasus". Reuters. 14 January 2025. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
- ^ "We welcome the signing of the US-Armenia Strategic Partnership Commission Charter". Freedom House. 17 January 2025. Retrieved 17 January 2025 – via X.