The Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Armenia (hereinafter referred to as the “Participants”),
Acknowledging their shared interest in fostering innovation, economic development, and technological advancement,
Expressing mutual interest in investment in Armenia’s semiconductor ecosystem, which will contribute to technology commercialization and economic benefit for both Participants;
Affirming the common desire to increase support for resilient semiconductor supply chains; and
Recognizing the complementarity of the work of the Participants and the benefits of closer strategic cooperation between them;
Have reached the following understanding:
I. Purpose
The United States of America and the Republic of Armenia develop this Memorandum of Understanding in line with the U.S.-Armenia Strategic Partnership Charter, intended to deepen collaboration on development of secure semiconductor supply chains, including with respect to: the semiconductor ecosystem, and the Integrated Circuit (IC) and electronics industries, to create linkages between their respective industries and commercialization of artificial intelligence applications, and to work towards achieving the necessary conditions required to elevate Armenia’s assessed status within the U.S. export control framework.
The Participants intend to respond to their semiconductor supply chain and artificial intelligence development priorities, including:
• Exploring opportunities to further develop Armenia’s semiconductor ecosystem.
• Encouraging private sector investment; also through exploring joint projects and public- private partnerships to accelerate practical implementation of this Memorandum of Understanding (hereinafter “MOU”).
• Increasing mutual exchanges of information on best practices for development of secure semiconductor supply chains and artificial intelligence applications;
• Enhancing bilateral and international discussions on best practices for export controls;
• Facilitating joint academic and research partnerships (also through the potential establishment of an Armenia-USA binational science foundation) on semiconductors, and supply chain resiliency to support innovation, workforce development, knowledge and technology transfer.
II. Areas of Cooperation
The Participants intend to collaborate in a number of areas, including the following:
• Raising awareness among US private sector, associations and other relevant stakeholders about semiconductor ecosystem and trusted export control mechanisms existing in Armenia.
• Enhancing export controls for secure semiconductor supply chains;
• Strengthening effective export controls for artificial intelligence application and model development;
• Strengthening cooperation between the Participants to define, identify and prevent diversion of artificial intelligence resources;
• Preparing the workforce to effectively use and integrate artificial intelligence applications, including issues of freedom, accuracy, integrity, and purpose.
• Opportunities for promoting investment and infrastructure development in Armenia’s high-tech sector.
III. General Provisions
1. Duration: This MOU becomes operative on the date of its signing and is intended to remain operative for a period of one (1) year. Cooperation under this MOU is expected to continue for additional 3 periods unless one of the Participants notifies the other in writing of its intention to discontinue cooperation under this MOU at least sixty (60) days prior to the date of discontinuance. Any differences regarding the interpretation or application of this MOU may be resolved amicably through consultations between the competent bodies of the Participants.
2. Modifications: The Participants may modify this MOU by mutual written decision.
3. Points of Contact: The Participants intend to designate points of contact within their respective institutions to coordinate the implementation of this MOU.
4. Reporting and Dialogue: The Participants intend to hold regular consultations, including at the expert and senior levels to review progress and identify new opportunities for collaboration.
5. Effect of MOU: Nothing in this MOU gives rise to rights or obligations under international or domestic law. The Participants specifically acknowledge that this MOU is not an obligation of funds. The Participants intend to maintain their own separate and unique missions and mandates and their own accountabilities. The cooperation between the Participants as outlined in this MOU is not intended to be construed as a partnership or other type of legal entity or personality. Each Participant is expected to bear its own costs for all expenses incurred by itself related to this MOU. The Participants intend to implement this MOU in a manner that does not interfere with any other arrangements between the Participants, either prior to or subsequent to the signing of this MOU. Nothing in this MOU is intended to be construed as an exclusive working relationship.
