Bilateral relations between the Republic of Armenia and the United States of America

General information

The United States of America is the most important partner for Armenia. The USA has acknowledged the independence of the Republic of Armenia on December 25th, 1991. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on January 7th, 1992.

The USA plays an important role in political and economic life of Armenia. The USA is actively engaged in the OSCE Minsk Group process of peaceful settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as a co-chair, along with Russia and France. Тhe USA is the bigest humanitarian and technical aid provider to Armenia.

The US Embassy in Yerevan was opened in February 1992. The current US Ambassador to Armenia is John Heffern.

The Embassy of RA in Washington D.C. was opened in March 1992. The Armenian Ambassador to US is Tatoul Margarian (2005).

The Consulate General of RA in Los Angeles was established in 1995. The Consul General is Grigor Hovhannisyan (February 2009).

Visits

To USA

To Armenia

Legal field

Agreements

• Between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the United States of America on trade relations (signed in April 2, 1992, entered into force April 7, 1992)

• Between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the United States of America on investment incentive (signed in April 2, 1992, entered into force April 2, 1992)

• Between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the United States of America concerning the program of the Peace Corps in Armenia (signed in September 24, 1992, entered into force September 24, 1992)

• Between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the United States of America concerning the reciprocal encouragement and protection of investment, with annexes (signed in September 23, 1992, entered into force March 29, 1996)

• Between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the United States of America on science and technology cooperation (signed in February 28, 1997, entered into force September 28, 1997)

• Between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the United States of America concerning cooperation in the area of counter proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (signed in July 24, 2000, entered into force November 25, 2002)

• Arrangement between the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (U.S.N.R.C.) and the Nuclear Regulatory Authority of the RA (A.N.R.A.) for the exchange of technical information and cooperation in nuclear safety matters (signed in February, 2007)

• Between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the United States of America on civil aviation security (signed in October, 2007)

• Between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the United States of America on air transport (signed in November, 2008)

• Between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the United States of America on status of the Quality Schools International (signed in October 5, 2009)

• Agreement Between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the United States of America on science and technology cooperation (signed in November 3, 2009)

• Agreement between the Department of Defense of the United States of America and the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Armenia Concerning Cooperation in the Area of Prevention of Proliferation of Technology, Pathogens and Expertise that Could Be Used in the Development of Biological Weapons (singed in September, 2010)

Protocols

• Protocol Amendments to the letter of Agreement on narcotics control and law inforcement of June 11, 2001 between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the Republic of Armenia (signed in April 14, 2003 and september 19, 2008)

Memorandums

• Of the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the United States of America on US-Armenia Task Force (signed in January 27, 2000)

• Of the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the United States of America on social and health issues (signed in August 16, 2000)

• Of the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the United States of America on the participation of Armenian students in US Government Educational Exchange Programs (signed in March 3, 2006)

Other

• Between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the United States of America on employment of dependents of members of diplomatic missions and consular posts (exchange of notes at Yerevan, September 20 and December 30, 2005)

Trade and economic relations

US - Armenia economic and trade relations are regulated by the US-Armenia Task Force (USATF) working group sessions convened once a year. The last meeting of the USATF was held on September 26, 2011 in Washington .

Through American active mediation, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have executed long-term loans and subsidiary programs in Armenia for over one billion USD.

Another evidence of active development of the US-Armenian trade relations is granting the status of Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) in 2004 to Armenia, as well as the elimination of discriminatory Jackson-Vanik trade restriction amendment towards high technologies.

A significant part of Armenian-American economic relations was the cooperation in the framework of the Millenium Challenge program. In March 27, 2006, the agreement between the Millenium Challenge Corporation and the government of the Republic of Armenia was signed, according to which 235.65 mln. USD was allocated to Armenia. The amount has been channeled to the rural development, improvement of irrigation infrastructure aiming to grant financial and technical aid to the farmers.
MCA-Armenia program was successfully completed in September 2011.

Bilateral trade between Armenia and USA
 

Main exported goods

• spirit and alcohol goods
• carpets and rugs
• diamonds and other precious and semiprecious stones and metals
• aluminium

Main imported goods

• automobiles (passenger, cargo and pickups)
• telephones, mobile phones and other communication equipment
• computers and parts
• clothing
• meat products

ACTION PLAN BY THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA

Updated on 07.06.2012