Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan declared on Monday that peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan had begun the moment his government adopted a “balanced and conciliatory foreign policy.” He made these statements in a video message shared on social media, presenting the electoral program of the Civil Contract party for the upcoming elections.
The Prime Minister first read the provision in the electoral program regarding a balanced and moderate foreign policy. A balanced and harmonized foreign policy has proven effective in stabilizing Armenia’s external environment. This approach will be adopted as a strategy, with the main goal of preventing imbalances in external relations or having tools to compensate for them.
Regionalization plays a central role in this policy, with the primary objective of enabling Armenia to live fully and peacefully in its environment without external support. Development of relations with Georgia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Turkey, and Azerbaijan is of great importance, and the party intends to continue in this direction.
In this context, the complete unblocking of transport infrastructure in the region – including the implementation of the TRIPP project and the launch of the Gyumri-Kars railway line – will not only strengthen peace and cooperation in the region but also make it a hub of East-West and North-South connectivity, a peace hub.
“We also attach great importance to the development of the 3+3 format as a concrete tool for promoting regionalization, and Armenia will contribute to it. The involvement of Russia in this format is also essential for the constructive transformation of Armenian-Russian relations.”
Armenia has also adopted the concept of “Regionalization-2,” encompassing countries in Central Asia and the Middle East, as well as India. Alongside developing relations with other countries, establishing diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan is an important step. This orientation is expected to intensify between 2026 and 2031.
During the previous period, Armenia has established strategic partnerships, dialogues, and action programs with the United States, Georgia, the Netherlands, China, the United Kingdom, Kazakhstan, the European Union, Germany, and Luxembourg. Relations with Russia are also undergoing a constructive transformation.
The Prime Minister then addressed allegations from some Armenian political opposition representatives, saying that he and the current government were supposedly “pro-Azerbaijan or pro-Turkey,” explaining the origins of these claims.
He emphasized the importance of direct communication in achieving peace and avoiding distortions in third-party communications. This change in approach has led to better understanding and communication, ultimately contributing to peace in the region.
This shift in perspective addresses accusations of being pro-Turkey or pro-Azerbaijan and highlights the importance of direct communication in achieving peace. The Prime Minister emphasized the significance of understanding the nuances and complexities involved in conflicts that have lasted for decades. By prioritizing direct communication, Armenia aims to prevent misunderstandings and ensure accurate message transmission in its diplomatic relations.
