YEREVAN — Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed the “Charter on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Between the Republic of Armenia and the United States” on May 26 in Yerevan.
Mirzoyan and Rubio also initialed the “Framework Agreement on Strategic Cooperation Between Armenia and the United States on the Trump Route for International Development and Prosperity” — known as TRIPP.
The two sides also signed a framework memorandum on securing supply chains in the field of critical minerals and rare earth extraction and processing between Armenia and the United States.
“We have elevated our strategic partnership to a new level by renaming it a comprehensive strategic partnership,” Minister Mirzoyan said.
Addressing the U.S. Secretary of State, Mirzoyan added: “We will continue to make every effort to gradually turn into reality the cooperation outlined by President Trump and Prime Minister Pashinyan, which will undoubtedly benefit both Armenia and the United States, as well as others in the region who engage constructively and cooperatively in the opportunities created by this project.”
Secretary Rubio emphasized that the agreement marks “the biggest step taken to date toward making this historic route a reality, advancing peace, and increasing prosperity in Armenia and throughout the region.”
Rubio stressed that Armenian-American cooperation is not limited to TRIPP.
“It is being built in many other ways, and this is one of the top priorities of this administration,” he said. “The President is personally very proud not only of TRIPP, but also of all the other things we continue to build. This will be an important part of the legacy of the President’s second term, and we are here today to continue working in that direction.”
He added that the updated Strategic Partnership Charter provides an opportunity to outline the future of U.S.-Armenia bilateral relations and create a new path of partnership and economic opportunity for Armenians and Americans.
“To put it simply, we are laying the foundation for economic engagement that will allow Armenians to earn money and achieve prosperity, and Americans to do the same — and to do it together. That is one of the strongest ways to connect nations, always in a manner that respects your sovereignty as a state, while advancing mutual benefit,” Rubio said.
“You, the Prime Minister, and the entire Armenian team are paving the way toward a brighter and more independent future for Armenia. We are pleased to express our support for this vision,” Rubio said during the signing ceremony.
“We continue to develop our relations. We have also signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Charter, which defines the framework of our bilateral relations and sets a new course that will benefit both Armenians and Americans,” he added.
Secretary Rubio arrived in Armenia on May 26 with his wife, Jeanette Dousdebes. They were welcomed at the airport by Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan.
