James O’Brien, Assistant Secretary at the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs of the US Department of State, reaffirmed the US’s commitment to assisting Armenia across various sectors during his opening remarks at the capstone meeting of the Armenia-US Strategic Dialogue in Yerevan on June 11.

O'Brien acknowledged the Armenian people’s consistent support for reforms and the Armenian government's proactive steps under Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s leadership. These reforms are designed to integrate Armenia into the global economy and enhance democratic freedoms, with the US proud to contribute to these efforts.

He highlighted the recent economic developments in Armenia, noting the region's dynamic growth. During the Brussels meeting on April 5, the discussions included broad economic cooperation prospects to boost Armenia's participation in the global economy. O'Brien mentioned that the upcoming agreement on customs information exchange between the US and Armenia, part of the Brussels pledges, would facilitate trade and business.

The US official emphasized the democratic aspirations of the Armenian people, which are reflected in the country’s political developments. He commended the Armenian government’s steps towards strengthening the rule of law, combating corruption, and empowering citizens to voice their opinions, which were supported by US assistance at both governmental and local levels. The US is committed to promoting Armenia's security, prosperity, and democracy.

O’Brien also pointed to the US’s contributions to fostering lasting peace by expanding economic opportunities from Central Asia to the Mediterranean. A peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan would further enhance these possibilities, and the US is eager to support this effort.

The American side is prepared to deepen cooperation with Armenia in various domains, including justice and defense. O'Brien noted the success of the first joint military exercises last year and emphasized the importance of food security, expressing the US's readiness to assist Armenia in meeting its own needs.

“Cooperation is deeper and stronger than before. It is planned to raise the strategic dialogue to the level of a strategic commission, enabling even deeper cooperation, as evidenced by the representative participation of the accompanying delegation,” the US assistant secretary of state noted.

Armenia and US Sign Agreement on Customs Cooperation

A significant milestone in Armenia-US relations was marked with the signing of an agreement on mutual assistance between the two countries' customs authorities. The signing ceremony took place after the second capstone meeting of the Armenia-US Strategic Dialogue in Yerevan on June 11. 

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and James O'Brien, Assistant Secretary at the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs of the US Department of State, attended the ceremony, as reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia.

The agreement was signed by Rustam Badasyan, Chairman of the State Revenue Committee of Armenia, and Kristina Kvien, US Ambassador to Armenia. This agreement is expected to enhance cooperation between the customs authorities of Armenia and the US, facilitating smoother trade and better enforcement of customs regulations.

Pashinyan and O'Brien Discuss Armenia-US Strategic Partnership

Armenia's Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan, met with James O'Brien, Assistant Secretary at the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs of the US Department of State. 

Pashinyan emphasized the significance of the second capstone meeting of the Armenia-US Strategic Dialogue in Yerevan. Pashinyan expressed his belief that this meeting would provide a fresh impetus for developing and strengthening multi-sectoral cooperation between Armenia and the United States.

Pashinyan also highlighted the consistent support provided by the US towards the democratic reforms underway in Armenia. This assistance is crucial for the ongoing transformation and strengthening of democratic institutions in the country, underscoring the importance of US-Armenia collaboration in fostering governance, economic development, and regional stability.

In his turn, James O'Brien expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the Strategic Dialogue meeting, reaffirming the US administration's commitment to supporting the Armenian government’s reform efforts across various domains.

The discussions also touched upon key regional issues, including the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty negotiations and the border delimitation process based on the 1991 Alma-Ata declaration. The interlocutors discussed the Armenian government's Crossroads of Peace project and its guiding principles.

Additionally, PM Pashinyan informed O’Brien about the Armenian government’s approval of a housing provision program for Armenians forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh, stressing the need for international assistance in its implementation. This program is a critical step towards addressing the needs of displaced individuals and ensuring their resettlement and integration.

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan also privately conversed with James O’Brien. This private discussion took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia and underscored the depth of the strategic partnership between Armenia and the United States, allowing both officials to discuss key issues and priorities in a more focused manner before the commencement of the formal meeting.