Amid intensified discussions about Armenia’s choice in nuclear energy, US Deputy Secretary of State Shona Wilson visited the country. Her visit is being viewed in the context of promoting American nuclear technologies and growing competition with Russia in the region. Is Washington trying to steer Yerevan back toward small modular reactors, or did the visit serve other purposes?
Energy expert Ara Marjanyan believes Armenia’s cooperation with the United States across various sectors is developing systematically at an institutional level. He suggests viewing the American official’s visit primarily in that context.
According to Marjanyan, Armenian–American cooperation took shape under the previous US administration through the efforts of Jake Sullivan and officials serving in both countries at the time. It subsequently deepened during Donald Trump’s second presidential term.
“First, let us acknowledge that cooperation is developing on an institutional basis. This is a very positive development, primarily for Armenia and possibly for the United States as well,” the expert said.
In his assessment, Armenian official statements about Wilson’s visit were rather brief and offered little substantive detail. Nevertheless, Marjanyan assumes that energy discussions, particularly those concerning nuclear energy, focused on the current stage of the process involving the so-called 123 Agreement.
The expert recalled that negotiations between Armenia and the United States on the 123 Agreement have already concluded, but the document has yet to be signed. After signing, the US president must submit the agreement to Congress.
According to Marjanyan’s explanation, the United States has a simplified procedure for reviewing and ratifying such agreements. If Congress takes no relevant action within 90 days after the president submits the document, the agreement will be approved automatically.
A different procedure would apply if Congress or the Senate submitted comments or objections. In that case, the expert said, the agreement’s progress would depend on the position of two-thirds of the members of Congress and the Senate. The document could be revised, with its subsequent course determined under the established procedure.
Marjanyan also noted that, ahead of Wilson’s visit, Armenia appointed an acting head of the directorate responsible for constructing a new nuclear power unit. In his assessment, this also indicates that practical steps are being taken in this direction.
The expert therefore sees Armenian–American nuclear cooperation moving beyond negotiations to its next stage. Signing the agreement and reviewing it in the United States will be important steps in that process.