Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III hosted Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan at the Pentagon today, APA reports citing U.S. Department of Defense.
The two leaders met to discuss the strategic relationship between the U.S. and Armenia, which includes a longstanding partnership between Armenia's Defense Ministry and the Kansas National Guard.
He added that the U.S. supports a sovereign, independent and prosperous Armenia and that relationship between the two nations continues to grow closer.
Austin highlighted the Kansas National Guard's role in helping Armenia advance its defense reform agenda.
This summer, the U.S. and Armenia completed the second iteration of Exercise Eagle Partner, a bilateral exercise aimed at bolstering interoperability and readiness between the two countries during peacekeeping operations.
The first iteration of the exercise was held in 2023.
He also emphasized the United States support for peace and stability in the South Caucasus region.
"It is our first meeting, and we have a full agenda," Austin said. "I look forward to hearing about your vision for Armenia's armed forces, and about the prospects for peace in the South Caucasus."
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