The parliament of Armenia has voted to extend for seven years a bilateral agreement with the United States on preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

A total of 104 out of the 131 deputies voted in favor of the extension on November 17.

The Armenian government approved the extension of the agreement, which was signed in 2000, on October 20.

Under the initiative, the United States provides Armenia with equipment and advice on preventing the spread of materials and technology related to nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons.

On November 16, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Bridget Brink met with Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian to assure him that the United States "will continue to be interested in developments in the South Caucasus" under the administration of President-elect Donald Trump.

Based on reporting by Interfax and RFE/RL’s Armenian Service