Armenian Government outlines foreign policy priorities for the period 2026-31

The Armenian Government has outline its foreign policy priorities, in a document published ahead of a parliamentary debate. The report states:

The Armenian government will continue to pursue a balanced and balancing foreign policy, which has demonstrated its effectiveness by helping stabilize the Republic of Armenia’s external environment, according to the government’s 2026-2031 program, which was unveiled on Thursday ahead of debates in parliament.

“Balanced and balancing foreign policy is adopted as a strategy whose key objective is to prevent imbalances in foreign relations or to have tools to balance such imbalances. The foreign policy agenda also includes the development of international trade and economic ties and increasing export volumes.

Regionalization plays a key role in balanced and balancing foreign policy, with the goal of making it not only possible but also comfortable for the Republic of Armenia to live in its own environment without external support. In this regard, the further development of relations with Georgia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Republic of Türkiye and the Republic of Azerbaijan is of key importance.

Institutionalization of established peace with Azerbaijan and the delimitation process

To institutionalize and strengthen peace, the government will continue work toward signing and ratifying the Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Interstate Relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, continuing the delimitation and demarcation of the state border with Azerbaijan, and increasing contacts between Armenian and Azerbaijani civil societies and business communities, as well as bilateral trade.

Advancing the process of normalizing relations with Türkiye

Work will be carried out toward establishing Armenia-Türkiye diplomatic relations, opening the Armenia-Türkiye border and operating at least 2 modern border crossing points, restarting and expanding transport, energy and digital infrastructure, and promoting bilateral and multilateral trade.

Deepening strategic relations with Iran

Maintaining active political dialogue with Iran and expanding trade and economic ties are among the priorities of bilateral relations. Work will continue to deepen energy cooperation with Iran, develop border infrastructure and expand communication routes through Iran (North-South, Persian Gulf-Black Sea).

Deepening the strategic partnership with Georgia

The consistent implementation of the declaration on establishing a strategic partnership between Armenia and Georgia will continue, creating new mutually beneficial opportunities for developing political, trade and economic, energy and transport cooperation, as well as regional and joint infrastructure projects.

Deepening the strategic partnership with the European Union

Sectoral development and integration of strategic cooperation with the EU will continue through the full and effective implementation of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement, as well as efforts to align the Republic of Armenia with the European Union’s standards in democracy and the rule of law, economic, financial, environmental, social and other areas, based on the 2025 law “On the launch of the process of the Republic of Armenia’s accession to the European Union.” The visa liberalization action plan will be completed with the aim of liberalizing EU entry visas for citizens of the Republic of Armenia.

Deepening the strategic partnership with the United States

Based on the Charter on a Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Armenia and the United States, bilateral partnership will be further deepened for the benefit of both countries, and cooperation will be expanded across a broad range of issues of mutual priority. Sectoral cooperation with the US will continue based on the memoranda of understanding signed in August 2025 between the Government of the United States and the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Charter on a Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Armenia and the United States. The TRIPP project will be implemented, including the operation of at least energy and railway infrastructure, integrating Armenia into major regional infrastructure projects.

Deepening the strategic partnership with France

Armenia-France cooperation will be elevated to a new qualitative level, particularly in the areas of political, economic, security, cultural, educational and decentralized partnership, with the joint declaration on the establishment of a strategic partnership signed on May 5, 2026, serving as an institutional and political foundation.

Transforming and deepening partnership relations with Russia

Dialogue aimed at mutually beneficial multi-sector cooperation with the Russian Federation will continue, toward transforming, developing and deepening relations under the new conditions of established peace in the region and within the framework of a balanced and balancing foreign policy.

Deepening the strategic partnership with China

Consistent implementation of the agreements reached as a result of the meeting between the Prime Minister of Armenia and the President of China on August 31, 2025, will continue, as will work to develop cooperation and achieve tangible results in the areas identified in the joint statement on raising Armenia-China relations to the level of a strategic partnership.

Deepening the partnership with India

Active work will continue to develop cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including economic, defense, transport, education and culture, healthcare, information technology and other areas, and to raise the Armenia-India partnership to a qualitatively new level.

Further deepening relations with other strategic partner states

The established strategic relations with the Netherlands, Kazakhstan, Germany, Luxembourg, the United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Croatia and Lithuania have identified the key areas of bilateral interest, in which further work is important for Armenia’s development. Work will continue to expand the number and geographic scope of strategic partners.

Expanding effective cooperation within the EAEU

Effective use of the mechanisms provided for by the EAEU Treaty is crucial for the union’s future and further development. Work will continue to ensure the full and uninterrupted implementation of the EAEU’s fundamental freedoms—the free movement of labor, services, goods and finance—as well as to develop relations with member and observer countries.

Advancing a future-oriented agenda on multilateral platforms

In the UN and its specialized agencies, the Council of Europe, the OSCE, the CIS, the International Organization of La Francophonie and the European Political Community, the Republic of Armenia will continue to remain an active member. The Republic of Armenia has also become a member of the Board of Peace initiated by US President Donald Trump and will continue its work in this format. The government will work toward membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

It is noted that efforts will be made to develop relations with countries in the Middle East and Africa and establish new relations.

“To best serve the interests of the Republic of Armenia and deepen partnerships, the government will continue its policy of gradually increasing diplomatic presence in foreign countries and international organizations,” the Armenian government’s program states.

source: commonspace.eu with Armenpress (Yerevan), Orbeli Centre (Yerevan) and agencies

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