Yerevan, Armenia – NATO is actively pursuing a new framework document for cooperation with Armenia, with discussions already underway between high-ranking officials. This initiative follows a meeting between NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska and Armenian Minister of Defense Suren Papikyan, where the focus was on Armenia’s ongoing defense sector reforms and its contributions to international peacekeeping efforts.
Discussions on Defense Reforms and Future Partnership
The NATO Deputy Secretary General, Radmila Shekerinska, publicly acknowledged the productive dialogue with Minister Papikyan. In a social media post, Shekerinska stated, “It was a pleasure to discuss Armenia’s defense sector reforms with Minister of Defense Suren Papikyan.” This statement underscores NATO’s interest in the modernization and strengthening of Armenia’s military capabilities.
Shekerinska further emphasized the value of Armenia’s existing contributions to international security. “I highly value Armenia’s contribution to NATO forces in Kosovo,” she added. Armenia has been a consistent contributor to the Kosovo Force (KFOR), demonstrating its commitment to international stability and its capacity to operate alongside NATO forces.
Commitment to Support and New Framework
The discussions also highlighted NATO’s readiness to provide continued support for Armenia’s reform efforts. “We are ready to support the reforms and hope to agree on a new framework document for our partnership next year,” Shekerinska confirmed. This indicates a strong commitment from NATO to deepen its engagement with Armenia and formalize future areas of collaboration through a new agreement.
The proposed new framework document is expected to outline specific areas of cooperation, potentially including military training, interoperability initiatives, and further support for defense institution building. This move is seen as a strategic step to enhance Armenia’s defense capabilities and align them more closely with Euro-Atlantic standards.
Armenia’s Role in Regional Security
Armenia’s engagement with NATO is a significant aspect of its foreign and security policy, balancing its relationships with various international actors. The country has participated in NATO’s Partnership for Peace (PfP) program since 1994 and has consistently contributed to NATO-led operations, including in Afghanistan and Kosovo. These contributions highlight Armenia’s role as a security provider in its region and beyond.
The emphasis on defense sector reforms aligns with Armenia’s broader strategic goals of modernizing its armed forces and enhancing its defense posture. Such reforms are crucial for improving efficiency, transparency, and accountability within the defense establishment, which are key principles promoted by NATO.
Anticipated Agreement in 2026
The timeline for the new cooperation document suggests that both parties aim to finalize the agreement in the coming year, specifically in 2026. This would mark a new chapter in NATO-Armenia relations, potentially expanding the scope of their partnership and fostering deeper collaboration on security challenges.
The development of a new framework document is a testament to the evolving relationship between NATO and Armenia, reflecting a mutual desire for enhanced cooperation in an increasingly complex global security environment. The agreement is anticipated to further solidify Armenia’s position as a reliable partner in regional and international security initiatives.
