Armenia`s CSTO membership is something only Armenian government can  decide  - U.S. Under-Secretary of State 

ArmInfo. Armenia's CSTO membership is something only the Armenian government can decide, U.S. 

Under-Secretary of State Uzra Zeya told Hetq.am. 

We respect this. I would note that our defense and civilian security 

cooperation has continued to deepen, while Armenia has remained a 

member of CSTO. But I want to make a third and final point. The 

United States sees nothing to indicate that Russia's military 

presence contributes to a more peaceful and stable South Caucasus 

region.

As to whether second joint military exercise indicate a strengthening 

defense partnership between the two countries and whether closer 

collaboration aimed at enhancing defense capabilities with Armenia 

can be expected, Ms Zeya said: 

"Well, with respect to the Eagle Partner military exercise, I would 

stress this is a pre-planned exercise. It's focused on routine 

training and increasing readiness and interoperability and 

peacekeeping operations. This is an effort that is led on the U.S. 

side by our Department of Defense. As a State Department 

representative, I will leave   further details with my Department of 

Defense colleagues.

But I will say that we are seeing a deepening of longstanding 

positive defense and civilian security cooperation between the United 

States and Armenia. You see that cooperation such as the Department 

of State, the Defense Department's partnership program between 

Armenia and the Kansas National Guard, has been a positive 

initiative. 

But on the State Department side, I am proud to lead our Bureau of 

International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, which is a key partner 

for the government of Armenia and the Armenian people in supporting, 

strengthening the capacity of Armenian police, with respect to 

respecting human rights, upholding the rule of law, fighting 

corruption, increasing transparency. And one of the many positive 

outcomes of this cooperation has been the introduction and the 

development of the Patrol Police Service, where earlier today, I was 

honored to visit the new headquarters for the patrol Police service 

with the Minister of Interior, a national dispatch center, and  

housing for the patrol police regiment, which is an outcome of 

considerable Armenian government and U.S. government investment in 

improving human centered rights, respecting policing  that that 

increases public trust and ties between law enforcement and the 

communities they serve. This, I think, is an important example of how 

democratic reforms, increasing respect for human rights, can also 

increase security for all."

Concerning U.S.-Armenia military, defense cooperation and the reports 

that there will be a U.S. Army resident adviser in attached to 

Armenia's Ministry of Defense, Ms Zeya said: 

"I can confirm this. It's a welcome development that I would 

encourage you to follow up with our ambassador and press team. We 

welcome deepening defense and civilian security cooperation between 

the U.S. and Armenia. This is part of the spirit embodied in the 

historic upgrade in U.S. Armenia relations to a strategic 

partnership."

As to the goals of her 4-day visit to Armenia, Ms Zeya said: 

"Well, first and in conclusion, I thank you and I commend the 

important investigative reporting work done by Hetq and other media 

outlets in Armenia. We believe that a free and independent media 

plays a critical role in the anti-corruption fight. In my meetings, 

throughout this four-day visit, we had fruitful and detailed 

exchanges on our concerns, with respect to the anti-corruption fight. 

What I heard was a strong resolve from our Armenian government 

counterparts to carry the fight forward, to continue to improve and 

to institutionalize anti-corruption efforts throughout the 

government."