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:
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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.
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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.
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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:
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Support for each other’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity constitute the foundation of our bilateral relations.
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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.
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Cooperation between democratic partners will help promote peace and stability.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The United States supports the unblocking of regional transport communications in the South Caucasus, based on full respect for the countries’ sovereignty and jurisdiction.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Armenia and the United States intend to fulfill their Summit for Democracy Commitments.
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The United States plans to support Armenia as it implements a plan to prevent and combat all forms of human trafficking in Armenia.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Armenia and the United States intend to support joint initiatives for preservation of cultural heritage in Armenia.
