Armenian and US Military Officials Meet in Washington to Discuss Defense Cooperation and Regional Security

WASHINGTON, DC — Armenia’s First Deputy Minister of Defense and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Edward Asryan, met with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States Armed Forces, General Charles Brown, in Washington on Wednesday.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed matters of mutual interest, emphasizing the ongoing development of Armenia-US defense cooperation.

“Gen. Brown thanked Lt. Gen. Asryan for Armenia’s productive military-to-military cooperation with the U.S. and reaffirmed the importance of strengthening the defense relationship,” said Joint Staff spokesman Jereal Dorsey on Thursday.

Additionally, the military leaders discussed Armenia’s military modernization initiatives, with Gen. Brown offering support through the State Partnership Program and additional training opportunities. The Chairman also expressed concern over Russia’s malign influence in the region and emphasized the need to counter such activities, Dorsey added.

The Armenian Defense Ministry reported that Asryan and Brown discussed bilateral ties and a “range of issues related to regional security.” The U.S. reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Armenia’s ongoing military transformation and reforms.

In July, U.S. and Armenian troops held their second joint exercise in less than a year, practicing peacekeeping operations in the presence of three U.S. generals who visited Armenia for the occasion.

On Tuesday, Asryan also met with three other U.S. military officials, including Mike Miller, Director of the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, responsible for training, advising, and equipping foreign militaries.