In a formal exchange, the United States indicated it will extend support to the Armenian armed forces across a range of activities, including military training and related areas. The announcement came from Lieutenant General Stephen Basham, Deputy Chief of the US European Command, during a meeting with Edward Asryan, Armenia’s First Deputy Minister of Defense. The information was relayed by the press service of the Transcaucasian Republic’s Ministry of Defense.
The discussions occurred at the US European Command headquarters in Stuttgart, where senior officials reviewed ongoing programs and future opportunities for collaboration.
Basham conveyed the United States’ willingness to uphold existing cooperation initiatives while exploring new fields of partnership. The dialogue centered on strengthening professional standards within the Armenian forces and expanding the scope of training and operational readiness. The ministry highlighted the aim of professionalizing soldiers and officers, reinforcing the army’s professional structure, and advancing comprehensive military and combat training. Regional security concerns also featured prominently in the talks, with both sides emphasizing the importance of a stable security environment in the area.
As part of the visit, Asryan toured the U.S. Army’s multinational joint training center in Europe and the Petty Officer Academy, marking concrete steps toward deeper engagement and practical knowledge exchange.
Earlier remarks from Yerevan have pointed to ongoing disagreements about the performance of Russian peacekeepers in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, underscoring the broader security dynamics affecting the region. (Ministry of Defense, Transcaucasian Republic)