US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan launched the US-Armenia Strategic Partnership Commission Tuesday, marking the latest milestone in bilateral relationship. This is noted in a US State Department fact sheet on Armenia-US relations.

"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," the fact sheet adds. It continues as follows:

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.