Armenia aims to elevate its relationship with the United States to the level of a strategic partnership under the incoming U.S. administration, according to a senior Armenian diplomat.
Commenting on the recent victory of Republican candidate and former President Donald Trump in the November 5 election, Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanian emphasized that the strong institutional foundations of U.S.-Armenia relations remain unaffected by changes in the American political landscape.
“This year, Armenia and the United States have already announced plans to advance their relationship from a strategic dialogue to a strategic partnership, and significant progress is being made toward this goal,” Kostanian stated. “I am confident that even with a new administration, these efforts will continue smoothly and be successfully concluded.”
Kostanian noted that current efforts are focused on expanding bilateral cooperation, particularly by strengthening economic ties between the two nations.
When asked about Armenia’s engagement with Trump’s team during the election campaign, Kostanian confirmed that Yerevan had maintained active communication channels with both the Democratic and Republican camps. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with our partners, has ensured ongoing dialogue with representatives from both parties,” he said.
Both Trump and his Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris, addressed key concerns of the Armenian-American community during their campaigns. Trump criticized the current U.S. administration for failing to prevent the forced displacement of ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh last year. He pledged to “protect persecuted Christians,” work to “stop violence and ethnic cleansing,” and pursue efforts to restore peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Meanwhile, Kamala Harris promised continued support for Armenia, advocating for the safe return of Karabakh Armenians to their homes following Azerbaijan’s military takeover of the region in September 2023.
Notably, the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), one of the most influential Armenian advocacy groups in the U.S., opted not to endorse either candidate during this election cycle—a departure from its usual practice in previous presidential races.
