U.S. to strengthen security cooperation with Armenia - Biden's letter to Pashinyan

YEREVAN. Sept 25 (Interfax) - Washington will continue to strengthen its cooperation with Yerevan on security and energy diversification, United States President Joe Biden said in a letter to Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

"We will also continue to strengthen our cooperation on energy diversification, resilience, and security, as demonstrated by our recent joint military exercises," the letter said, delivered to Pashinyan by the head of the U.S. Agency for International Development, Samantha Power, the Armenian government said.

On September 11-20, Armenia hosted the two countries' joint military exercise, Eagle Partner 2023, which involved 85 American and 175 Armenian soldiers.

Biden expressed the "strong support of the United States [...] for Armenia's pursuit of a dignified and durable regional peace that maintains your sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and democracy.

"Armenia has demonstrated its commitment to that purpose by engaging in peace talks with Azerbaijan as well as implementing critical economic reforms, improving government accountability, and strengthening democratic institutions. I assure you the U.S. will continue to stand beside Armenia as you work to strengthen your democracy and seek stability in your neighborhood."

"[The U.S. is] mourning the recent loss of life of ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh," Biden also said.

"The United States is committed to working with your government on addressing humanitarian needs emerging from the recent violence," Biden said.