Armenia not to send pathogens to US to develop bioweapons Government decision

Armenia has approved a draft submitted by the Emergencies Ministry to amend the Armenian-US cooperation agreement on preventing the spread of technologies, pathogens and knowledge that can be used in the development of biological weapons.

The agreement that the Armenian government approved on June 2, was signed in 2010 by the Armenian Emergencies Ministry and the US Defence Department, Caliber.Az reports with reference to the Armenian media.

Under paragraph 5 of Article 4 of the agreement, Armenia undertakes to transfer to the US Defence Department samples of those dangerous pathogens that have been accumulated in Armenia for preventive, defensive or other peaceful purposes, as well as epidemiological data.

"Considering that a law regulating biological safety will soon be adopted, which will clearly stipulate that Armenia is not obliged to provide any state with samples of pathogens, and also based on the need to ensure a balanced policy within the framework of international cooperation in biological safety and biological support, it is proposed to amend paragraph 5 of Article 4 of the Agreement. The proposed change would prevent the transfer of the required samples of dangerous pathogens to the US. It is in line with the foreign policy pursued by Armenia and its international obligations," the project authorisation document said.