Expert says new British defense office in Armenia becomes additional lever in shaping South Caucasus post-conflict architecture

British Minister of State for Defence Vernon Coaker’s visit to Yerevan and the opening of the first permanent defense office at the British Embassy elevate Armenia–UK security cooperation to an institutional level, EADaily writes, referring to expert on Caucasus Evgenia Goryushina.

The agenda included defense-sector reforms, personnel training, military education, cybersecurity, and discussions on regional connectivity projects such as TRIPP and the “Crossroads of Peace” concept. According to Goryushina, the defense agenda is directly linked to the future configuration of transport corridors.

“For London, this step fits into its broader strategy of returning to the Black Sea–Caspian region. Against the backdrop of deepening cooperation with Azerbaijan on energy and security issues, as well as the decision to lift the arms embargo on both Armenia and Azerbaijan, the newly opened British defense office in Yerevan becomes an additional source of influence on the South Caucasus’ post-conflict structure,” the expert noted.