US to station representative at Armenian Defense Ministry, deepening security co-op
US to deploy a permanent representative to the Armenian Defense Ministry, signaling enhanced security cooperation between our nations (AA Photos)
In a move that could signal closer military cooperation, the U.S. State Department announced on Thursday that a representative of the U.S. armed forces will be stationed in the Armenian Defense Ministry.
In an interview with the Armenian Hetq portal, Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights Uzra Zeya confirmed the decision, saying: “I confirm the appointment of a permanent US representative to the Armenian Defense Ministry.”
“We welcome the deepening of civil defense and security cooperation between the US and Armenia. This marks a new phase in the strategic partnership between our countries,” she emphasized.
Armenia, a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and a former Soviet republic, is traditionally allied with Russia. Moscow has frequently expressed concerns that increasing U.S.-Armenian military cooperation could lead to a conflict of interest, given the strategic rivalry between Russia and the U.S.
