Armenia and the US signed a joint statement Monday on peaceful nuclear cooperation between the two countries amid a landmark visit by US Vice President JD Vance to Yerevan.
The Joint Statement on the Completion of Negotiations on an Agreement for Peaceful Nuclear Cooperation between the two countries was signed following talks between Vance and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
Vance arrived in Yerevan in the first-ever visit by a sitting US vice president to the country. A sitting US president has yet to make such a visit.
In a joint press conference following the talks, Pashinyan said the joint statement will open a new chapter, deepening the energy partnership between Armenia and the US, according to the Armenian state news agency Armenpress.
He said the deal will contribute to diversifying Armenia’s energy resources, expressing gratitude to the US for its longstanding support for his country in the field of nuclear security.
He also recalled a meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi the previous week, saying both sides following the talks formed the impression that they were very close to a point at which peace could be considered "irreversible."
Pashinyan also announced Armenia’s purchase of V-BAT reconnaissance drones from the US under Washington’s Foreign Military Sales program.
Vance specified that the sale concerned “$11 million in surveillance drone technology,” saying: “He’s (Pashinyan) gonna use that to secure his country and to make sure that the peace we’re creating sticks.”
“That means, for the United States, more jobs and more investment in our own defense technology sector,” he added.
Speaking about the statement signed on peaceful nuclear cooperation, which he defined as a "123 Agreement," Vance said the deal will "pave the way for American and Armenian companies to strike deals on civil nuclear projects."
He specified that the deal will bring $5 billion in initial US exports to Armenia as well as an additional $4 billion in long-term support through fuel and maintenance contracts.
Vance further said this is the "classic win-win for both Armenia and the United States of America," meaning stronger energy security for both countries.
The US vice president also spoke about the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) project, saying it will bring "historic transformation" to the region.
He said the project will open up a "whole new world of trade, transit and energy flows in this region of the world" as well as create "unprecedented connections" between Armenia and its neighbors.
"Now that is great for the prosperity of the people of Armenia. But it is also great for the enduring project of peace. Because when you create these interconnected economies, energy sectors and so forth, it means that this region can have an enduring peace,” he said.
By Burc Eruygur
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr
