Wednesday, January 15 2025 10:52

ArmInfo. On January 14, the signing of the Strategic Partnership Charter between the Republic of Armenia and the United States of America took place in the U.S. Department of State in Washington. 

On behalf of the Republic of Armenia, the document was signed by  Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan, and on behalf of the  United States, by Secretary of State Antony Blinken.  The full text  of the Charter is presented below.  

Charter on Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Armenia and   the United States of America 

Preamble

  The Republic of Armenia and the United States of America:

Affirm the importance of our relationship as friends and strategic  partners.  We intend to deepen our partnership to the benefit of both  nations and expand our cooperation across a broad spectrum of mutual  priorities. 

Emphasize that this cooperation between our two democracies is based  on shared values and common interests.  These include advancing  democracy and economic freedom, defending sovereignty and territorial  integrity, strengthening the rule of law and respect for human rights  and fundamental freedoms, supporting innovation and technological  advances, and bolstering energy security. 

Stress our mutual desire to strengthen our relationship across the  diplomatic, economic, energy, high-tech, educational, scientific,  cultural, legal, defense, and security fields.   Section I:  Principles of Partnership

This 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.

Our friendship derives from our common commitment to democratic  values and our shared belief that democracy is the chief basis for  political legitimacy and therefore, stability.  Cooperation between  democratic partners will help promote peace and stability.

A strong, independent, sovereign, and democratic Armenia, capable of  defending its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and inviolability  of internationally recognized borders is essential for lasting  regional security and prosperity.

Armenia's continued democratic and economic reforms can unleash the  full creative potential of its industrious citizens and thereby  catalyze prosperity throughout the region and beyond.

The United States welcomes efforts by Armenia to deepen its  political, economic, security, and social ties with other nations of  the Euro-Atlantic community and broader community of democracies.

A dignified and durable peace is essential for a more stable and  prosperous future of the South Caucasus.  The United States supports  the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, including in the  border delimitation process based upon the Alma Ata Declaration of  1991.

The United States supports the unblocking of regional transport  communications in the South Caucasus, based on full respect for the  countries' sovereignty and jurisdiction.

Recognizing that the flow of goods and people across borders leads to  interdependencies and mutual benefits for neighbors, the United  States also intends to continue to advocate for the normalization of  relations between Armenia and its neighbors.   

  Section II:  Economic, Trade, Transport, and Energy Cooperation

Armenia and the United States intend to expand cooperation to enhance  job creation and economic growth, support economic/market reform and  liberalization, promote transport connectivity, improve the bilateral  business climate, and improve market access for goods and services.   We recognize that fair, worker- centered, and sustainable trade is  essential to promoting resilient supply chains, equitable  development, freedom, and prosperity.  The United States supports  Armenia's efforts to integrate into the global economy. 

Acknowledging the importance of increased trade and investment to  economic growth and development, Armenia and the United States intend  to identify strategic opportunities to increase bilateral trade and  investment.

Recognizing the importance of a well-functioning, resilient, and  secure market-oriented energy sector, Armenia and the United States  intend to explore opportunities to increase and diversify Armenia's  energy production and supplies. This includes the development of a  civil nuclear power program with the highest standards for nuclear  safety, security, and nonproliferation; efforts to enhance energy  security and efficiency, including through a significant increase in  the share of renewables in Armenia's energy mix; and measures to  increase Armenia's energy connectivity to regional and European  markets. 

Armenia and the United States intend to initiate a working group to  strengthen enforcement of export controls for dual-use goods, align  policy frameworks, and share information.  Armenia and the United  States also intend to initiate a joint dialogue on greater access to  U.S. Commerce export-controlled technology by trusted companies  operating in Armenia.

Understanding the importance of trade diversification to address food  security and promote economic growth, Armenia and the United States  intend to explore opportunities to cooperate on areas that will  support a strengthened environment for agricultural trade.

Recognizing the multifaceted challenges faced by Armenia due to its  landlocked position and limited access to global trade markets,  Armenia and the United States intend to deepen cooperation aimed at  the integration of Armenia into wider regional transport networks and  connectivity initiatives, in particular through strong political  support and promotion of Armenia's "Crossroads of Peace" project.     Section III:  Defense and Security

The United States supports an independent, sovereign, and democratic  Armenia.  A peaceful South Caucasus is foundational to Armenia's  continued economic growth and democratic development, and that of the  region.  Defense and security cooperation between Armenia and the  United States benefits both nations and the region. 

 

Recognizing the persistence of threats to global peace and stability,  Armenia and the United States intend to expand the scope of their  defense and security cooperation programs, including through  establishing bilateral defense consultations within the next year and  assisting the Armenian military through professional military  assistance training.

The United States recognizes Armenia's important contributions to  peacekeeping efforts in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, Lebanon, and Mali.   Deepening Armenia's integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions is a  mutual priority, and we plan to expand security cooperation and  reform programs intended to increase Armenian interoperability and to  strengthen Armenia's defense.  

Acknowledging the threat posed by the proliferation of weapons of  mass destruction, Armenia and the United States plan to explore means  to combat the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and  dangerous technologies through adherence to international  nonproliferation standards, effective enforcement of export controls,  and strengthened enforcement of such controls.  To this end, the  United States intends to support the capacity building of the  Armenian Border Guard Service and State Revenue Committee. 

Recognizing the persistent threat to government, business, and the  public from malicious cyber actors, Armenia and the United States  intend to work towards an innovative, secure, and rights-respecting  digital future.  Armenia and the United States plan to continue to  hold regular consultations on existing and new cyber threats.

The United States intends to continue to foster rights-respecting  institutions, including by supporting Armenia's efforts to reform and  modernize its Ministry of Internal Affairs and law enforcement  agencies.  Such support is expected to include police education and  other measures to provide for public safety, to investigate and hold  accountable those responsible for abuses, and to combat transnational  crime and corruption.  

Section IV:  Strengthening Democracy, Justice & Inclusion

Recognizing Armenia's significant achievements to date, our two  countries commit to work together to foster the rule of law  buttressed by an impartial, independent judiciary, and to further  strengthen freedom of expression, including for the media, good  governance and accountability, public administration reform, fair and  transparent electoral competition, a free and active civil society,  respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and  anti-corruption efforts in Armenia.  Armenia and the United States  recognize the importance of building resilient, inclusive societies  so that our governments are fully responsive to the needs of all.  

Armenia and the United States plan to cooperate to bolster  independent media, freedom of expression, and access to objective  news and information.

Armenia and the United States plan to cooperate to strengthen  Armenia's efforts to advance the rule of law and the policy making  processes in this area, including by working to increase judicial  impartiality and independence, public trust, and transparency, as  well as to develop Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms.   Through enhanced law enforcement and judicial branch relationships,  as well as a strengthened institutional framework for crime  prevention and criminal justice, we plan to address common  transnational criminal threats such as terrorism, organized crime,  trafficking in persons and narcotics, money laundering, and  cyber-crime. 

Armenia and the United States intend to cooperate on Armenia's  anti-corruption initiatives and efforts and the policy-making process  in this area, including by working to strengthen anti-corruption  institutions and integrity in all areas of public services. 

Armenia and the United States plan to work together to improve the  legal and regulatory frameworks for human rights protections in  Armenia and strengthen Armenian human rights institutions.  The  United States plans to support Armenia as it works to enhance its  legal framework on anti-discrimination.

Armenia and the United States plan to work together to promote good  governance by increasing transparency and accountability, improving  public administration in Armenia, and working on effective  communication of reforms, as well as expanding citizen and media  access to government information in Armenia.   

Armenia and the United States plan to work together to increase  political pluralism and transparent, fair political competition in  Armenia, including by encouraging the development of political  parties, think tanks, and non-governmental organizations, supporting  their participation in developing legislation and enacting reforms to  create a more competitive electoral environment. 

Armenia and the United States plan to work together to strengthen the  capacity of Armenian civil society to develop and analyze public  policy, advocate on behalf of citizen interests, participate in the  legislative process, and provide oversight of public officials.  

Armenia and the United States intend to fulfill their Summit for  Democracy Commitments.  

The United States plans to support Armenia as it implements a plan to  prevent and combat all forms of human trafficking in Armenia.

 

Recognizing that Armenia has dealt with a displacement crisis since  September 2023, the United States plans to continue to support  Armenia as it provides assistance to displaced persons and refugees  from Nagorno-Karabakh.  

Section V:  Increasing People-to-People and Cultural Exchanges

Armenia and the United States share a desire to increase our  people-to- people contacts, including through the Armenian American  community, and enhance our cultural, creative, educational,  scientific, and professional exchange programs that promote  democracy, democratic values, and the rule of law, and increase  mutual understanding.

Recognizing the importance of increased contact between the people of  Armenia and the United States, both sides intend to promote further  cultural and social exchanges and activities through initiatives such  as the Fulbright Program, the Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX),  Undergraduate Exchange (UGRAD), Legislative Education and Practice  (LEAP), the International Visitor Leadership Program, the English  Language Teaching and Learning Program, and others.

Stressing the necessity of innovation and dynamism to the future of  our two countries, Armenia and the United States intend to promote  increased cooperation in higher education, business, and scientific  research.  The United States plans to facilitate the application  process for U.S. visas consistent with U.S.  laws and procedures so  that qualified individuals in cultural, educational, business, and  scientific activities are given the opportunity to participate.

Armenia and the United States acknowledge the potential of Armenia's  Academic City as a hub for academic collaboration and innovation,  furthering shared goals in education and research. 

Armenia and the United States intend to support joint initiatives for  preservation of cultural heritage in Armenia. 

The full text of the Charter is also available here:  https://www.mfa.am/en/press- releases/2025/01/14/the/13032