On January 14, the signing of the strategic partnership charter between the Republic of Armenia and the United States of America took place at the US State Department in Washington.
On the RA side, the document was signed by RA Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan, on the US side by Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. RA MFA presented the full text of the Charter.
Charter of Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Armenia and the United States of America
Preface:
The Republic of Armenia and the United States of America affirm the importance of their friendly and strategic partnership, intending to deepen their partnership for the benefit of both countries and expand cooperation in a wide range of mutual priorities.
They emphasize that this cooperation between the two democracies is based on common values and shared interests, including the promotion of democracy and economic freedom, the protection of sovereignty and territorial integrity, the strengthening of the rule of law and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and support for innovation and technological progress. , as well as the strengthening of energy security.
Underline their mutual desire to strengthen relations in diplomatic, economic, energy, high-tech, educational, scientific, cultural, legal, defense and security spheres.
Section I: Partnership Principles This charter is based on fundamental principles and beliefs common to both parties.
1. Supporting each other's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity is the basis of bilateral relations.
2. The friendship of the parties stems from the common commitment to democratic values and the belief that democracy is the main basis of political legitimacy and, therefore, stability.
3. Cooperation between democratic partners will contribute to the promotion of peace and stability.
4. A strong, independent, sovereign and democratic Armenia, capable of protecting its sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of internationally recognized borders, is key to lasting regional security and prosperity.
5. Armenia's continued democratic and economic reforms can fully unleash the creative potential of its hardworking citizens, thereby promoting prosperity throughout the region and beyond.
6. The United States welcomes Armenia's efforts to deepen its political, economic, security, and social ties with other countries of the Euro-Atlantic community and the broader democratic community.
7. A dignified and lasting peace is fundamental to a more stable and prosperous future in the South Caucasus. The United States supports the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, including the border delimitation process, based on On the Declaration of Alma-Ata.
8. The United States supports the unblocking of regional transport communications in the South Caucasus, based on the sovereignty and jurisdiction of countries.
9. Given that the movement of goods and people across the country's borders leads to interdependence and mutually beneficial relations between neighbors, the United States also intends to continue to encourage 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 promote job creation and economic growth, support economic/market reforms and liberalization, promote transportation communications, improve the bilateral business environment, and ensure market access for goods and services. The parties recognize that fair, worker-centered, and sustainable trade is essential to promoting resilient supply chains, equitable development, and the freedom and prosperity the United States supports to Armenia's efforts to integrate into the world economy.
1. Recognizing the importance of increased trade and investment in economic growth and development, Armenia and the United States intend to explore strategic opportunities to increase bilateral trade and investment.
2. Given the importance of a viable, resilient, and secure market-oriented energy sector, Armenia and the United States intend to explore opportunities for diversification and growth of Armenia's energy production and supply, including the development of a civilian nuclear energy program consistent with the highest standards of nuclear safety, security, and nonproliferation; Efforts to promote energy security and efficiency, including a significant increase in the share of renewable energy sources in Armenia's energy balance, as well as Armenia's energy connectivity with regional and European markets. events.
3. Armenia and the United States intend to initiate a working group to strengthen dual-use export control enforcement, coordinate policy frameworks, and share information. around high availability.
4. Recognizing the importance of trade diversification in addressing food security and promoting economic growth, Armenia and the United States intend to explore opportunities for cooperation in areas that will support strengthening the agricultural trade environment.
5. Given the multifaceted challenges posed by Armenia's landlocked and limited access to global trade markets, Armenia and the United States intend to deepen cooperation to integrate Armenia into broader regional transportation networks and connectivity initiatives, particularly Armenia's Crossroads for Peace. project through strong political support and promotion.
Section III: Protection and security
The United States supports an independent, sovereign and democratic Armenia. Peace in the South Caucasus is key to the continued economic growth and democratic development of Armenia and the United States. Cooperation in the fields of defense and security benefits both countries and the region.
1. Given 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 by initiating bilateral defense consultations in the coming year, and by supporting the Armenian armed forces through professional military training.
2. The United States appreciates Armenia's important contribution to peacekeeping efforts in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, Lebanon, and Mali. Deepening Armenia's integration into Euro-Atlantic structures is a bilateral priority, and the parties plan to expand security cooperation and reform programs aimed at increasing Armenia's interoperability and strengthening defense.
3. Given the threat of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, Armenia and the United States plan to explore measures to combat the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and dangerous technologies through compliance with international non-proliferation standards, the effective application of export controls, and the strengthening of controls to this end capacity building of border guards and the State Revenue Committee.
4. Given the continuing threat posed by malicious cyber actors to government, business, and society, Armenia and the United States intend to work toward an innovative, secure, and human rights-respecting digital future.
5. United Nahagner intends to continue promoting rights-respecting structures, including through support to Armenia's efforts to reform and modernize the Ministry of the Interior and law enforcement agencies. Such support is expected to include police education and other measures to ensure public safety, those responsible for abuses to investigate and prosecute and fight transnational crime and corruption.
Section IV: Strengthening democracy, justice and inclusion
Given Armenia's significant achievements so far, our two countries are committed to working together to promote the rule of law by strengthening an impartial, independent judiciary, freedom of expression, including media, good governance and accountability, public administration reforms, and fair and transparent electoral competition. , free and active civil society, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as to further strengthen efforts to fight corruption in Armenia.
1. Armenia and the United States plan to cooperate to strengthen independent media, freedom of speech, and access to unbiased news and information.
2. Armenia and the United States plan to cooperate in strengthening Armenia's efforts to promote the rule of law and advance policy-making processes in this area, including by working on the impartiality and independence of judicial bodies, public trust and transparency, as well as the development of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. :
By strengthening law enforcement and judicial relations, as well as the institutional framework for crime prevention and criminal justice, the parties intend to address common transnational criminal threats such as terrorism, organized crime, human trafficking and drug trafficking, money laundering and cybercrime.
3. Armenia and the United States intend to cooperate in the direction of Armenia's anti-corruption initiatives and efforts, and in the development of policies in this area, including working on the strengthening of anti-corruption structures and good behavior in all areas of public services.
4. Armenia and the United States plan to work together to improve the legal and regulatory framework for human rights protection and to strengthen human rights protection structures.
5. Armenia and the United States plan to work to promote good governance in Armenia by increasing transparency and accountability, improving public administration, effective communication about reforms, and expanding citizen and mass media access to government information.
6. Armenia and the United States plan to work together to ensure the growth of political pluralism and transparent, fair political competition in Armenia. Moreover, in order to create a competitive electoral environment, encourage the development of political parties, think tanks and non-governmental organizations, supporting their participation in the development of legislation and the implementation of reforms.
7. Armenia and the United States plan to work together to strengthen the capacity of Armenian civil society to develop and analyze public policy, promote citizens' interests, participate in legislative processes, and ensure oversight of public officials.
8. Armenia and the United States intend to implement the commitments made within the framework of the Summit for Democracy.
9. The United States plans to support Armenia in implementing a program to prevent and combat all forms of human trafficking in Armenia.
10. Considering that Armenia in 2023 Faced with a displacement crisis since September, the United States plans to continue to support Armenia in providing assistance to displaced persons and refugees from Nagorno Karabakh.
Section V: Promoting human connections and cultural exchanges
Armenia and the United States want to promote human connections, including through the Armenian American community, and expand cultural, creative, educational, scientific, and professional exchange programs that contribute to the promotion of democracy, democratic values, and the rule of law and mutual understanding.
1. Given the importance of growing ties between the peoples of Armenia and the United States, the parties plan to promote further cultural and social exchanges and activities through such initiatives as the Fulbright Program, Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX), Undergraduate Exchange (UGRAD), Legislative Education and Experience (LEAP), International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), English Language Teaching and Learning Program, and others.
2. Underscoring the need for innovation and mobility for the future of both countries, Armenia and the United States plan to promote increased cooperation in higher education, business, and scientific research to enable the participation of qualified persons engaged in cultural, educational, business and scientific activities.
3. Armenia and the United States value the potential of the Academic City of Armenia as a hub of academic collaboration and innovation that advances common goals in education and research.
4. Armenia and the United States intend to support joint initiatives aimed at preserving cultural heritage in Armenia.
