Armenia-Greece bilateral and Armenia-Greece-Cyprus trilateral defence consultations were held

On December 19, Armenia-Greece bilateral and Armenia-Greece-Cyprus trilateral defence consultations were held in Athens, in which the delegation led by the Head of the Defence Policy and International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Armenia, Levon Ayvazyan, participated from the RA Ministry of Defence. Throughout the consultations, the work carried out in the direction of defence cooperation in 2024 and the tasks to be done in 2025 were discussed. The parties enlisted that the cooperation has made significant progress in terms of both capacity and content and has included important areas that require more long-term, systematic work. Issues of introducing new approaches and standards in the defence sphere were also discussed. Levon Ayvazyan introduced to his colleagues the process of transformation of the RA Army and highlighted the contribution of the Greek and Cypriot partners, especially in the training of various branches of the RA Armed Forces, military education, military exercises and training, exchange of experience, advisory support and other directions. The latest regional and international military-political developments were also touched upon. The parties highlighted the importance of holding regular defence consultations. The consultations culminated in the signing of the Armenia-Greece bilateral and Armenia-Greece-Cyprus trilateral defence cooperation programs for 2025, which include dozens of events in numerous spheres of the vital activity of the Armed Forces.

Suren Papikyan met with the Minister for the Armed Forces of the French Republic

On December 17, on the sidelines of his working visit to the French Republic, the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Armenia Suren Papikyan met with the Minister for the Armed Forces of the French Republic Sébastien Lecornu. The meeting was preceded by an official welcoming ceremony featuring a guard of honour. The national anthems of both countries were performed. At the outset of the meeting, Minister of Defence Suren Papikyan expressed his condolences for the victims of the cyclone in the Indian Ocean, on the French overseas island of Mayotte, and wished a speedy recovery to those injured. During the meeting, the current state of cooperation between Armenia and France in the defence sector was discussed. Suren Papikyan underscored the importance of the steady implementation of previously reached agreements with Sébastien Lecornu, as well as the significance of new agreements to be achieved during this meeting. Both parties reaffirmed that the cooperation between Armenia and France is set on long-term institutional basis. Minister for the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu confirmed France’s commitment to further developing bilateral defence cooperation.

The Minister of Defence met with the several members of the FrenchSenate

On December 17, within the framework of his working visit to the French Republic, the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Armenia Suren Papikyan met with the Chairman of t he Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Armed Services of the French Senate, Cédric Perrin, and several members of the Senate. During the meeting, issues on bilateral defence cooperation were discussed. The Minister of Defence emphasized the high level of cooperation between the two countries and underscored the prospects for further development, highlighting that the achievements have been made possible due to the Senate’s continuous support. In turn, Cédric Perrin reaffirmed the importance of the Senate’s support in advancing cooperation in the defence sector. The meeting also addressed issues related to regional security threats.

Suren Papikyan held a meeting with the Military Adviser and Chief of the Military Staff to the President of France

On December 16, during his working visit to the French Republic, the Minister of Defence Suren Papikyan held a meeting with the Military Adviser and Chief of the Military Staff to the President of France, General Fabien Mandon. The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to the French Republic Arman Khachatryan was also in attendance at the meeting. The discussion centered on topics related to Armenia-France defence cooperation. Comprehensive discussions were held on various areas of cooperation, including military education, training programs, advisory support, and military-technical issues. Additionally, regional and international security issues were addressed. Both sides have exchanged their perspectives and approaches on these topics.

The delegation led by the Minister of Defence left for the French Republi

On December 15, the delegation led by the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Armenia Suren Papikyan left for the French Republic for a working visit.

Suren Papikyan received the Ambassador of France to Armenia

On December 12, the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Armenia Suren Papikyan received the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Armenia, Olivier Decottignies. During the meeting, agenda items related to Armenia-France cooperation in the defence sector and prospects for future cooperation were discussed. The parties also exchanged views on recent regional and international developments.

An Official Welcoming Ceremony for the Minister of Defense Suren Papikyan at the Pentagon

Suren Papikyan held a meeting with the United States Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin III

On December 5, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Armenia Suren Papikyan held a meeting with the United States Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin III. The meeting commenced with an official welcoming ceremony at the Pentagon, during which the national anthems of Armenia and the United States were performed. Minister of Defense Suren Papikyan, expressing his gratitude to U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III for the warm hospitality, outlined the ongoing reforms within the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia and highlighted the priority areas of cooperation. These areas are aimed at both transforming the RA Armed Forces and enhancing interoperability with the U.S. Armed Forces, which are military education, combat training, joint exercises in preparation for participation in international peacekeeping missions, the development of professional NCO and instructor corps, and the establishment of educational and training capabilities for the RA Armed Forces. Welcoming the RA Minister of Defense Suren Papikyan, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III emphasized the historic significance of the RA Defense Minister‘s visit. Issues related to Armenia-US defense cooperation were discussed during the meeting. Lloyd Austin III affirmed that the United States supports the independence, sovereignty, and prosperity of the Republic of Armenia, highlighting that cooperation between the two countries continues to grow. Secretary Austin emphasized the United States’ commitment to continue supporting the reforms of the Armenian Armed Forces. The meeting also addressed international and regional security issues. Defense Minister Suren Papikyan reaffirmed Armenia’s commitment to achieving lasting peace in the region. In turn, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III expressed the United States’ support for this objective.

Suren Papikyan met with the Minister of National Defense of the Hellenic Republic

On December 4, within the framework of his working visit to the United States, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Armenia Suren Papikyan met with the Minister of National Defense of the Hellenic Republic, Nikos Dendias, at the Embassy of Greece in Washington, D.C. The discussion focused on the current status and prospects of Armenia-Greece cooperation in the field of defense. The accomplishments of 2024 were reviewed, and planed activities to be implemented in the coming year were outlined.

The discussions focused on potential cooperation in the development of a new uniform for the Armenian Armed Forces

On December 4, within the framework of his working visit to the United States, the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Armenia Suren Papikyan received in the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in the United States Mr. Bruce LaFlam, Vice President of the American “Milliken & Company”, which is specialized in the design and development of military uniforms, and Mr. Scott J. Grupp and Tommy Young, Directors of company’s military and international programs. The discussions focused on potential cooperation in the development of a new uniform for the Armenian Armed Forces. Topics included the types of uniforms, the development process, timelines for the delivery of prototypes, and other procedures necessary for the implementation of the program.

The delegation led by the Minister of Defense has paid to the United States

The delegation led by the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Armenia Suren Papikyan has paid a working visit to the United States.

The entire personnel of the humanitarian demining and medical team has returned to Armenia

In recent days, the operational situation in several regions of the Syrian Arab Republic has significantly deteriorated, leading to the onset of active military operations. This escalation has rendered it impossible for the Armenian humanitarian demining and medical team, which has been conducting its mission in the Aleppo region since 2019, to continue its activities. In light of these developments, a decision was made to temporarily suspend the team’s operations in Aleppo. On November 29, late evening, the entire personnel of the humanitarian demining and medical team has returned to Armenia on board the military transportation aircraft of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Armenia.