Armenian civil society organizations have emphasized the importance of the new level of Armenia-U.S. strategic partnership and the opportunities it brings.

A group of Armenian NGOs issued a joint statement welcoming the signing of the charter for the Armenia-U.S. Strategic Dialogue Commission.

They underscored the significance of the upgraded partnership and its potential benefits.

“On behalf of the undersigned civil society organizations, we welcome the signing of the charter of the Armenia-U.S. Strategic Dialogue Commission. This partnership opens new opportunities for Armenia and the region as a whole, contributing to regional security, peaceful and dignified coexistence, and economic cooperation. The parties also highlight the values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, whose strengthening will undeniably advance Armenia’s development, sovereignty, and security.

We call on the Armenian government to fully capitalize on this partnership by intensifying efforts to strengthen democracy and ensuring inclusivity, transparency, and participation.

Remaining steadfast and committed partners in this process, we reaffirm our readiness to collaborate with the Armenian government, the United States, and other partner organizations to achieve the objectives of the Armenia-U.S. strategic partnership.”

The statement was signed by: Partnership for Open Society platform, the Foundation for the Development of Democracy, the Vanadzor Office of the Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly, Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center, Journalists’ Asparez Club, the Union of Informed Citizens, Protection of Rights without Borders NGO, the Foundation for Development and Protection of Rights, the Public Journalism Club, Peace Dialogue NGO, the Center for Security Policy Studies, Disability Rights Agenda NGO, Real World, Real People NGO, the Educational Center for Equal Rights, and the Analytical Center on Globalization and Regional Cooperation.

On January 14 in Washington, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken signed the strategic partnership document, solidifying cooperation between the two countries.

In his remarks during the signing ceremony, Blinken announced that a U.S. team specializing in customs and border security will travel to Armenia in the coming weeks to work with Armenian counterparts on enhancing border security capabilities.