Armenia shifts alliance: New strategic pact with the U.S.
Armenia and the United States of America have signed a strategic partnership charter, reports Armenpress. The document was signed by Armenia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ararat Mirzoyan, and the U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken. The ceremony took place in Washington, D.C., as part of a bilateral meeting.
Antony Blinken emphasised that the signing of the charter represents an important milestone in the development of relations between the two countries.
They chose the United States
The U.S. Secretary of State stated, "We are creating the U.S.-Armenia Strategic Partnership Commission. This will allow for expanded cooperation in key areas such as the economy, security, defence, democracy, and justice. Our countries are becoming even stronger partners, which will benefit not only Armenia and the U.S. but also the entire region and the world." 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". - The charter covers a broad range of areas, including strengthening economic and energy ties, developing communication, deepening defence and security cooperation, supporting democratic institutions, justice, and the rule of law, as well as promoting innovation and advanced technologies – emphasised 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 be a testament to the deepening strategic relations between our countries and a roadmap for a future full of 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 criticised the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) after Yerevan unsuccessfully sought assistance from the organisation between 2022 and 2023 amid escalating conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Pashinyan described the CSTO as a "bubble alliance", emphasising that the organisation 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 organisation would be the next logical step.
source: The Moscow Times
