Pentagon hosts Armenia’s defence minister to discuss defence ties

On December 5, the United States Secretary of Defence, Lloyd J. Austin III, welcomed Armenia’s Defence Minister, Suren Papikyan, to the Pentagon in a historic meeting aimed at enhancing the strategic partnership between the two nations.

During the discussions, Secretary Austin emphasized the deepening relationship between the countries, Caliber.Az reports, citing US Department of Defense.

He further underlined the United States’ commitment to fostering peace and stability in the South Caucasus, noting the shared contributions of Armenian and American forces in global peacekeeping efforts. "We’re building on a strong foundation," Austin said, referencing joint operations during NATO’s Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan and ongoing collaboration within the NATO Kosovo Force.

Austin also highlighted the successful completion of the second iteration of Exercise Eagle Partner earlier this year, a bilateral training programme designed to enhance interoperability and readiness for peacekeeping missions. The inaugural exercise took place in 2023.

Over the past two years, the United States has provided Armenia with critical security assistance, including armoured ambulances, a cybersecurity operations centre, and a national training facility. Austin reaffirmed the US's intention to build on this progress, pledging continued support for Armenia’s defence development and broader regional stability.

According to the statement, Austin expressed keen interest in learning about Armenia's vision for its armed forces and the prospects for lasting peace in the South Caucasus. "This is our first meeting, and we have a full agenda," he said. "I look forward to exploring ways to strengthen our partnership further."

By Aghakazim Guliyev