US appoints advisor to Armenian defence ministry
- 25 July, 07:09
The United States has appointed an advisor to the Armenian defence ministry to support Yerevan’s security, a State Department official said on Thursday.
"I confirm the appointment of a permanent US representative to the Armenian Defense Ministry," Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights Uzra Zeya confirmed the decision in an interview with the Armenian media.
"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," Zeya stressed. Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Armenia has said that the newly-appointed advisor would be based in Armenia and would “engage regularly with the Embassy and Ministry". It stressed that Washington intends to support Armenia with enhancing its security sector governance while strengthening US-Armenia relations.
The advisor will be sent as part of the US’s Global Defense Reform Program. It’s unclear for how long the advisor will be stationed in Armenia.
Armenia is a member of the Russian-led military bloc - Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). The former Russian ally has been drifting away from the Kremlin in recent years after the CSTO’s refusal to defend it in the war against neighbouring Azerbaijan. Moscow has frequently expressed concerns that increasing US-Armenian military cooperation could lead to conflict of interest, given the strategic rivalry between Russia and the US.
