Office of the Spokesperson

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan launched the U.S.-Armenia Strategic Partnership Commission on January 14, marking the latest milestone in our bilateral relationship.  Strong partners make stable regional partners, and our bilateral cooperation reflects our shared commitment to a more resilient, peaceful, secure, and independent South Caucasus.  To date, the United States has invested approximately $3.3 billion in Armenia to support democratic reforms, economic growth and resilience, and humanitarian assistance, including $340 million since 2021.  Our partnership is based on our shared democratic values, and together, we are working to expand our economic, and security and defense cooperation; strengthen democracy, justice, and inclusion; and increase people-to-people exchanges.

Economic Cooperation

The United States continues to support Armenia’s efforts to enhance its economic resilience, promote advanced technologies, and bolster trade, energy, and food security for a prosperous and secure Armenia.  Trade between the United States and Armenia, and U.S. investment in Armenia’s burgeoning tech sector, have grown significantly since 2020, with bilateral trade more than tripling between 2020 and 2023, reaching $321 million.  Since 2023, the U.S. Embassy in Armenia, through the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service, has facilitated $15 million in U.S. exports, supporting nearly 300 U.S. firms to establish a footing in the Armenian market while connecting U.S. suppliers with Armenian firms looking to invest in the United States.  In March 2024, the United States and Armenia held the first Trade and Investment Framework council meeting since 2020, mapping concrete ways to increase bilateral trade and investment.

The United States and Armenia will begin negotiations on a civil nuclear cooperation agreement, known as a 123 Agreement, which, once concluded, will provide Armenia a platform for enhanced nuclear energy cooperation with the United States.  The United States is working with Armenia to strengthen its food security, including by diversifying its trade partners and improving domestic production.  Our governments established an Export Control Working Group in September 2024, which provides a mechanism to exchange information on export control procedures and regulations.  We also welcome Armenia’s commitment to work with the United States and our partners on sanctions enforcement.

Security and Defense 

The United States has expanded defense engagements with Armenia, hosting bilateral exercise Eagle Partner in 2023 and 2024 to bolster interoperability during peacekeeping exercises.  The United States has provided $27 million in funding to support Armenia’s efforts to develop its border security capabilities, in collaboration with State’s Export Control and Border Security program and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.  The United States is supporting Armenia’s defense sector reforms and has provided the Armenian Ministry of Defense with approximately $18 million in Foreign Military Financing to support the purchase of armored ambulances, the development of a Cyber Defense Operations Center, and improving National Training Center capabilities.  Armenia joined the International Counter Ransomware Initiative in December 2024 and the United States is also collaborating with Armenia as it develops its national cybersecurity strategy, including the establishment of a National Computer Incident Response Team.

Strengthen Democracy, Justice, and Inclusion

The United States is partnering with the Armenian government to fight institutional corruption, improve its e-governance and strategic communications capacities, strengthen electoral and political processes, foster a strong civil society and independent media, and strengthen economic resilience and security.   U.S. assistance to Armenia also focuses on strengthening institutions for human rights protection and enhancing the inclusion and economic well-being of women, as well as refugees, including those displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement is supporting Armenia’s effort to develop a modern, professional, and service-oriented law enforcement institutions.  This includes over $16 million in support for the establishment, training, and equipping of Armenia’s nationwide Patrol Police Service.  To strengthen Armenia’s independent media, promote freedom of expression, and combat foreign information manipulation and interference, the United States supports numerous exchange programs and professional development activities to foster a new generation of journalists while building capacity for local media organizations and the Armenian government.

Increase People-to-People Exchanges

People-to-people ties form the bedrock of the U.S.-Armenia relationship.  The United States has supported three partnerships between Armenian universities and Cornell University, Washington State University, and Florida State University.  The number of Armenians studying in the United States continues to grow, reaching a record number in 2023.  The U.S. Embassy in Armenia administers 16 exchange programs sending Armenians to the United States, from high school students to parliamentarians.  The United States recently reopened eligibility for Armenian participants in the SABIT business leader exchange programs.

Our countries also share a commitment to preserving and celebrating Armenia’s cultural heritage, including through the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation grants.  The United States and Armenia have developed strong subnational connections, and the State Department facilitated new sister city and state partnerships between cities across our two countries.