As joint U.S.-Armenia military exercises were coming to an end, the United States explained that the decision to embed a U.S. Army official in Armenia’s Defense Ministry was to advance Washington’s intentions “to support Armenia with enhancing its security sector governance while strengthening U.S.-Armenia relations.”
Undersecretary of State Uzra Zeya announced the unprecedented decision to embed an army official in Armenia’s defense ministry during her visit to Yerevan last week, while the U.S. and Armenia kicked off joint military exercises, known as the Eagle Partner 2024.
The U.S. Embassy in Armenia clarified to Armenpress on Tuesday that the U.S. Army official will be a civilian adviser, who already has been selected and will begin the assignment this year.
“The United State’s Department of State’s Global Defense Reform Program (GDRP) supports partners globally to develop more resilient, effective, and accountable security institutions through strategic-level advisory assistance,” the embassy said, citing a statement made by Zeya last week.
“The civilian advisor is not funded by the U.S. Army or the Department of Defense, but rather through the Department of State,” the Embassy clarified, saying the individual’s role “is intended to support Armenia to strengthen its defense institutions. The advisor will be based in Armenia and engage regularly with the Embassy and Ministry.”
Ahead of the closing ceremonies of the Eagle Partner 2024, on Wednesday three U.S. generals arrived in Armenia to observe the joint drills.
The U.S. Embassy in Armenia on Tuesday released photographs of Major General James Kriesel of U.S. European Command, Brigadier General Andrew Saslav of U.S. Army Europe and Africa and Brigadier General Anthony Mohatt of the Kansas National Guard visiting a training ground outside Yerevan, where U.S. and Armenian soldiers have been practicing a joint peacekeeping operation.
They were joined by U.S. Ambassador Kristina Kvien and Armenian Deputy Defense Minister Arman Sargsyan. The photographs also showed them meeting with U.S. and Armenian officers leading the Eagle Partner 2024 exercise that concluded on Wednesday.
“The exercise, which started on July 15, builds on longstanding U.S.-Armenia defense cooperation related to preparation for international peacekeeping operations,” the embassy said in a short statement posted on its Facebook page.
