A milestone in Armenia-U.S. defense cooperation was marked on December 5 as Armenian Defense Minister met with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon. The meeting began with a ceremonial welcome, featuring the national anthems of both nations.
During the meeting, Minister expressed his gratitude for the warm reception and presented details about the ongoing reforms in the Armenian Armed Forces. He outlined key areas of cooperation aimed at transforming Armenia’s military capabilities, including advancements in military education, combat readiness, peacekeeping mission preparations, and the development of professional sergeant and instructor institutions. Papikyan also emphasized the importance of building Armenia’s training and operational capabilities.
Welcoming Minister, Secretary Austin described the visit as historic and reaffirmed U.S. support for Armenia’s independence, sovereignty, and prosperity. He noted that defense cooperation between the two countries continues to expand, and the United States is committed to supporting the modernization and reform of Armenia’s Armed Forces.
The two officials also discussed issues related to international and regional security. Minister Papikyan reiterated Armenia’s commitment to achieving lasting peace in the region, while Secretary Austin reaffirmed the U.S.’s dedication to assisting Armenia in reaching that goal.
