Armenia and Greece Plan to Sign Defense Technical Cooperation Agreement

Armenia and Greece plan to sign a defense technical cooperation agreement. The issue of approving the agreement is included in the agenda of the Armenian government's meeting.

The justification for the draft highlights that the friendship between the Republic of Armenia and the Hellenic Republic is based on common values and strong historical ties that have come through the ages. Traditionally, Armenian-Greek relations have been characterized by warm and friendly nature, while the close cooperation and partnership between the two countries encompass almost all fields.

“The high level of political dialogue between Armenia and Greece, as well as cooperation on bilateral and multilateral platforms, creates favorable conditions for closer and more effective collaboration in the defense sector. Therefore, Armenia greatly values the efforts aimed at expanding and deepening these partnership relations as vital bridges in the context of Armenia-NATO relations and the development of relations with NATO member states,” the draft justification states.

It is noted that reciprocal visits of defense ministers of both countries, as well as various legal documents signed in the defense sector, demonstrate the mutual desire to elevate existing relations to a higher level.

Bilateral military cooperation between Armenia and Greece has been implemented based on an agreement signed between the defense ministries in 2011, aimed at ensuring proper conditions for defense technical cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual respect. Over the years, agreements have been signed concerning the training of Armenian citizens at Greek military educational institutions, cooperation in armaments and defense technologies, as well as in the military medicine sector. These agreements have outlined the implementation of cooperation in military education, exercises and trainings, military medicine, military geography, and advisory support.

In 2018, the Armenian side proposed to the Greek side to formalize defense technical cooperation at the inter-state level, to which Greece positively responded.

The provisions of the agreement outline areas of cooperation between the parties, particularly aimed at strengthening defense capabilities through the promotion of research in new technologies and military-related products as well as cooperation in development and production areas, in accordance with the national legislation of both parties.

The agreement includes crucial areas of cooperation such as the transfer of technologies and technical assistance for the production of weapons, ammunition, and explosives, exchange of information and experiences in the field of ammunition production, conducting research in military-related products and their production, establishing joint organizations for their production, and other areas by mutual agreement of the parties.

The agreement also specifies modalities for implementing defense technical cooperation, including the training of technical personnel and the provision of services related to the repair and operation of military-related products produced in third countries.

Under the agreement, the sale of joint work results and equipment to third parties, as well as the granting of production licenses, will require prior written consent from both parties, with access to these for third parties regulated by separate agreements.

To implement the agreement and facilitate cooperation, it is planned to establish a joint Armenian-Greek commission that will evaluate the agreement, present proposals for further development of cooperation and priorities, and approve its work schedule.

The agreement also stipulates the resolution of disputes arising during its interpretation and application, as well as the rules for its entry into force and termination.