US Deputy Secretary of State for Civil Security, Democracy and Human Rights Uzra Zeya said that a representative of the United States Armed Forces will hold a position in the Armenian Defence Ministry, Armenian media reported.
Uzra Zeya on Friday confirmed the information that a representative of the US Army will work in the Armenian Defence Ministry. In her opinion, this indicates “the historic fact of transition to a new stage of strategic partnership.” Ms Zeya told Armenian publication Hetq:
I can confirm this. It’s a welcome development that I would encourage you to follow up with our ambassador and press team. We welcome deepening defence and civilian security cooperation between the US and Armenia. This is part of the spirit embodied in the historic upgrade in US Armenia relations to a strategic partnership.
Earlier, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said the country is ready to raise relations with the US to the level of strategic partnership. He expressed hope that the partnership between Yerevan and Washington will contribute to the creation of a peaceful and prosperous future for both countries.
In spring, the largest protest movement during the years of Nikol Pashinyan’s rule broke out in Armenia. The reason was the delimitation and demarcation of the border with Azerbaijan in the north-east of the country, as a result of which Yerevan had to abandon four villages in the Tavush region.
Other reasons include the loss of Karabakh and attempts by the current authorities to “rewrite” history and the Constitution to please Baku and Ankara. As a result, record protest rallies were held in Yerevan in May and in June, with tens of thousands of people participating. People also joined in blocking major roads and government offices. The protesters demanded Pashinyan’s resignation, expressing dissatisfaction with his anti-national policies.
