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U.S. Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights Uzra Zeya, who was in Armenia from July 13-16, has confirmed media reports that there will be a U.S. Army resident adviser attached to Armenia’s Ministry of Defense.

'I can confirm this. It’s a welcome development that I would encourage you to follow up with our ambassador and press team. We welcome deepening defense and civilian security cooperation between the U.S. and Armenia. This is part of the spirit embodied in the historic upgrade in U.S. Armenia relations to a strategic partnership," she said in an interview with Hetq on Wednesday.

Asked whether Armenia’s CSTO membership is an obstacle for deepening U.S.-Armenia defense cooperation and whether the country’s possible withdrawal from the Russian-led security bloc would boost it, the top U.S. official said: "Armenia’s CSTO membership is something only the Armenian government can decide. We respect this. I would note that our defense and civilian security cooperation has continued to deepen, while Armenia has remained a member of CSTO. But I want to make a third and final point. The United States sees nothing to indicate that Russia's military presence contributes to a more peaceful and stable South Caucasus region."