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May 26, 2026 Major3
Armenia and United States sign critical minerals framework in Yerevan
Armenia and the United States signed a framework agreement on critical minerals and rare-earth metals in Yerevan during US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit. The deal coincides with a broader deepening of bilateral ties and follows recent regional diplomacy involving Armenia, Azerbaijan and the United States.
Quick Facts
- signed a framework memorandum on mining and processing critical minerals and rare-earth metals
- announced a comprehensive Strategic Partnership Charter
- deepened bilateral strategic cooperation
- linked cooperation to regional peace and transport initiatives
- Armenia
Armenia and the United States signed a framework memorandum on mining and processing critical minerals and rare-earth metals during a ceremony in Yerevan, Armenian television broadcasts showed. The agreement was signed by Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was visiting the Armenian capital.
The minerals deal adds to a wider package of bilateral cooperation between the two countries. In parallel with the signing, Armenia and the United States have been deepening strategic ties, including a comprehensive Strategic Partnership Charter announced during Rubio’s visit.
After the ceremony, Mirzoyan said the two countries had recently raised their strategic cooperation to a new level and described the relationship as a comprehensive strategic partnership. He said relations between Yerevan and Washington were stronger than ever and called the moment a historic phase in bilateral ties.
The broader diplomatic push comes against the backdrop of regional peace and transport initiatives linked to Armenia and Azerbaijan. Those efforts are connected to a declaration signed in Washington on August 8, 2025, by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev after talks with US President Donald Trump, which called for peace and the unblocking of transport links in the region.
Why This Matters
This agreement can help Armenia attract investment, technology, and export opportunities in strategic minerals, while giving the United States a stronger foothold in a critical supply chain that is increasingly important for defense, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing. For businesses and policymakers, it signals a deeper U.S.-Armenia partnership that may affect regional trade routes, resource development, and future sanctions or sourcing decisions tied to critical minerals.
Timeline & Sources
Aug 8, 2025
WireArmenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a joint declaration in Washington after talks with US President Donald Trump, calling for peace and the unblocking of transport links.
May 26, 2026
WireArmenia and the United States signed a framework agreement on critical minerals and rare-earth metals in Yerevan.