By Elena Teslova
MOSCOW (AA) - A representative of the US armed forces will be stationed in the Armenian Defense Ministry, a State Department official said on Thursday.
In an interview with the Armenian Hetq portal, Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights Uzra Zeya confirmed the decision, saying: "I confirm the appointment of a permanent US representative to the Armenian Defense Ministry."
"We welcome the deepening of civil defense and security cooperation between the US and Armenia. This marks a new phase in the strategic partnership between our countries," she emphasized.
Armenia, a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and a former Soviet republic, is traditionally allied with Russia. Moscow has frequently expressed concerns that increasing US-Armenian military cooperation could lead to conflict of interest, given the strategic rivalry between Russia and the US.