ArmInfo. Armenia's CSTO membership is something only the Armenian government can decide, U.S. Under-Secretary of State Uzra Zeya told Hetq.am.
We respect this. I would note that our defense and civilian security cooperation has continued to deepen, while Armenia has remained a member of CSTO. But I want to make a third and final point. The United States sees nothing to indicate that Russia's military presence contributes to a more peaceful and stable South Caucasus region.
As to whether second joint military exercise indicate a strengthening defense partnership between the two countries and whether closer collaboration aimed at enhancing defense capabilities with Armenia can be expected, Ms Zeya said:
"Well, with respect to the Eagle Partner military exercise, I would stress this is a pre-planned exercise. It's focused on routine training and increasing readiness and interoperability and peacekeeping operations. This is an effort that is led on the U.S. side by our Department of Defense. As a State Department representative, I will leave further details with my Department of Defense colleagues.
But I will say that we are seeing a deepening of longstanding positive defense and civilian security cooperation between the United States and Armenia. You see that cooperation such as the Department of State, the Defense Department's partnership program between Armenia and the Kansas National Guard, has been a positive initiative.
But on the State Department side, I am proud to lead our Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, which is a key partner for the government of Armenia and the Armenian people in supporting, strengthening the capacity of Armenian police, with respect to respecting human rights, upholding the rule of law, fighting corruption, increasing transparency. And one of the many positive outcomes of this cooperation has been the introduction and the development of the Patrol Police Service, where earlier today, I was honored to visit the new headquarters for the patrol Police service with the Minister of Interior, a national dispatch center, and housing for the patrol police regiment, which is an outcome of considerable Armenian government and U.S. government investment in improving human centered rights, respecting policing that that increases public trust and ties between law enforcement and the communities they serve. This, I think, is an important example of how democratic reforms, increasing respect for human rights, can also increase security for all."
Concerning U.S.-Armenia military, defense cooperation and the reports that there will be a U.S. Army resident adviser in attached to Armenia's Ministry of Defense, Ms Zeya said:
"I can confirm this. It's a welcome development that I would encourage you to follow up with our ambassador and press team. We welcome deepening defense and civilian security cooperation between the U.S. and Armenia. This is part of the spirit embodied in the historic upgrade in U.S. Armenia relations to a strategic partnership."
As to the goals of her 4-day visit to Armenia, Ms Zeya said:
"Well, first and in conclusion, I thank you and I commend the important investigative reporting work done by Hetq and other media outlets in Armenia. We believe that a free and independent media plays a critical role in the anti-corruption fight. In my meetings, throughout this four-day visit, we had fruitful and detailed exchanges on our concerns, with respect to the anti-corruption fight. What I heard was a strong resolve from our Armenian government counterparts to carry the fight forward, to continue to improve and to institutionalize anti-corruption efforts throughout the government."
