Armenia, UK to raise level of relationship to strategic partnership

YEREVAN. Aug 26 (Interfax) - Armenia and the United Kingdom intend to raise their relationship to the level of strategic partnership and expand defense cooperation, according to a joint statement released after a second round of the Armenia-UK Strategic Dialogue.

"The parties agreed to upgrade the relationship to a strategic partnership. Both parties discussed expanding cooperation in the areas of security and defense, including future high-level engagements, the exchange of defense attaches, and closer cooperation in the fields of cyber security and countering hybrid threats," the Armenian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

In the context of raising the level of the relationship, "the importance of continuing to deepen economic ties was underscored by both parties," the statement said.

"The parties looked forward to furthering business relations and to drive growth through collaboration, including support for Armenia's inclusive economic development, reform and diversification in partnership with international financial institutions. The parties discussed the Armenia-UK comprehensive and enhanced partnership agreement," it said.

The UK hailed the Armenia-Azerbaijan agreements reached in Washington as a decisive step towards the normalization between Yerevan and Baku, it said.

The second round of the Armenia-UK Strategic Dialogue was co-chaired by Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan and UK Minister of State for Europe, Norther America and Overseas Territories Stephen Doughty.

The first round was held in London in 2023.