Armenia and United States agreed on Monday to expand cooperation in the civil nuclear sector, as Washington moved to strengthen ties with the former Russian ally months after brokering a peace agreement in the South Caucasus.
A statement on the nuclear sector deal was signed by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who is on a two-day visit to the country.
The two said they had completed negotiations on what is known as a 123 Agreement, which allows the U.S. to legally license nuclear technology and equipment to other countries.
The agreement will allow up to $5 billion in initial U.S. exports to Armenia, plus an additional $4 billion in longer-term fuel and maintenance contracts, Vance said.
Strategic Shift
Long heavily dependent on Russia and Iran for its energy supplies, Armenia is now reviewing proposals from U.S., Russian, Chinese, French and South Korean companies to construct a new nuclear reactor to replace its sole, ageing Russian-built nuclear power plant, Metsamor.
No choice has yet been made, but Monday’s announcement paves the way for an American project to be selected — a move that could dent Moscow’s traditional influence in the South Caucasus.
Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin said a Russian proposal remained the best option and that state nuclear corporation Rosatom was ready to proceed.
‘Diversify Partners’
“Considering Armenia’s multiplicity of dependencies on Russia, it is a political priority to diversify partners when it comes to nuclear cooperation,” said political scientist Narek Sukiasyan. “The United States seems to be the preference now.”
Vance’s visit comes six months after Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders signed a U.S.-brokered agreement seen as a first step towards peace after decades of conflict. He is also promoting the proposed “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP)” corridor linking Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan via Armenia — a project aimed at boosting regional trade while bypassing Russia and Iran.
Vance is set to visit Azerbaijan later this week, according to the White House.
(With inputs from Reuters)
