2022 U.S.-Armenia Strategic Dialogue Joint Statement

ArmInfo.On the occasion of the Capstone session of the Armenia- US Strategic Dialogue (May 2-3), the sides issued the following joint statement.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken hosted Armenian Foreign  Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in Washington, D.C., to launch the  U.S.-Armenia Strategic Dialogue (USASD) on May 2, 2022. During the  Dialogue, the United States and Armenia reiterated their commitment  to strengthening bilateral ties across the breadth of the bilateral  relationship.

This round of USASD discussions coincided with the 30th anniversary  of the establishment of U.S.- Armenian diplomatic relations. The  delegations positively assessed the status of bilateral ties and  reviewed the potential for expanding our partnership. The Armenian  delegation included Deputy Minister of Justice Grigor Minasyan,  Deputy Central Bank Governor Nerses Yeritsyan, and Ministry of  Defense officials.  Assistant Secretary of State for European and  Eurasian Affairs Dr. Karen Donfried and several leaders from  throughout the Departments of State and Defense also participated in  the USASD session.

U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Lynne Tracy was in Washington as well,  joined by Armenian Ambassador to the United States Lilit Makunts.

Further Democratic Reforms and Promote Mutual Prosperity

Assistant Secretary Donfried reaffirmed the United States would  continue its robust assistance and cooperation to the Armenian  government in building responsive democratic and economic  institutions that both reflect our common values and deliver better  governance and prosperity.

The delegations had a robust dialogue on U.S. assistance to support  Armenia's positive democratic trajectory. This includes programs to  support human rights, media literacy, social protection, justice  sector reforms, and the new Patrol Police Service. The delegations  also discussed advancing judicial impartiality and strengthening  freedom of expression. Mechanisms to promote mutual prosperity in the  economic sphere were also a key topic of discussion, including energy  cooperation and workforce development to promote and deepen bilateral  trade and investment.

Towards Security, Peace, and Regional Conflict Resolution

The two delegations discussed issues related to border security, and  partnership in the defense and security sector through disaster  management, defense reform, medical support, and peacekeeping. The  delegations exchanged views on security matters and noted the United  States' role as a Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, which has a  mandate to facilitate a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh  conflict.

Looking To Tangible Results

Minister Mirzoyan and the Armenian delegation also had constructive  meetings with USAID Administrator Samantha Power, Under Secretary of  State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland, and many others. During  their time in Washington, delegation members signed a number of  documents, including a Nuclear Cooperation Memorandum of  Understanding that will serve as a mechanism through which our  governments can develop stronger ties between our nuclear experts,  industries, and researchers. The United States and Armenia also  signed two joint action plans on anti-corruption and law enforcement  reforms.