“It is correct that the partnership agreement is not legally binding and does not obligate the US to directly intervene to support Armenia’s security.”
This was noted by an expert of the Foreign Policy Research Institute, American Colonel Robert Hamilton in his talk with Aravot.
Robert Hamilton
“Its main utility is as an indicator of greater US interest in the bilateral relationship, which is likely to translate into greater financial support for Armenia, including in the security sphere,” Robert Hamilton commented.
According to the former military officer, “The agreement will also provide for expanded cooperation and support in developing interoperability between the US and Armenian armed forces, and for Armenia’s border security, military training center development, and cyber security.”
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Ukraine and Georgia were NATO candidates, Armenia isn’t
Aravot.am brought forth views of critical politicians and experts who assert that the American side undertook more commitments in the similar agreements signed with Ukraine https://ua.usembassy.gov/our-relationship/u-s-ukraine-charter-strategic-partnership/ and Georgia https://2017-2021.state.gov/united-states-georgia-charter-on-strategic-partnership/ in 2008 and 2009. In response, the Colonel said:
“It is logical that the strategic partnership agreements with Ukraine and Georgia were more comprehensive and provided more defense support than the agreement with Armenia https://www.mfa.am/en/press-releases/2025/01/14/the/13032 , since Ukraine and Georgia were NATO candidates at the time the agreements were signed (Ukraine still is, Georgia under its current government is not, at least de facto).
Since both countries were NATO candidates, the US had a greater interest in developing their territorial defense capabilities, so that they would not represent a security liability to NATO when they entered the Alliance,” Hamilton explained.
“The Biden Administration certainly did not seek the Trump Administration’s approval or support for the Agreement”
We also asked whether it’s justified to say that the content of the Agreement was agreed with the incoming Trump-Vance Administration, considering that it was signed on the ultimate days of the Biden-Harris Administration.
The Colonel mentioned that “It is unclear to what extent the Biden and Trump Administrations coordinated on the Strategic Partnership with Armenia.
The Trump Administration was certainly aware that the Agreement was under development, and it is likely that at lower levels of the two administrations the Agreement was discussed during the transition in administrations.
But the Biden Administration certainly did not seek the Trump Administration’s approval or support for the Agreement, which was under development long before the US election,” Robert Hamilton, expert of the Foreign Policy Research Institute concluded.
Context
On January 14, 2025, the Foreign Minister of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan, and the Secretary of State of the United States at the time, Antony Blinken, signed the Strategic Partnership Commission Charter at the State Department in Washington D.C.
During the ceremony, Minister Mirzoyan announced, “We are eager to continue working with the new U.S. Administration to fulfill the ambitious goals outlined in our Strategic Partnership Charter.”
Arsen AIVAZIAN
