Armenia’s Foreign Policy Priorities and Development Options

By KRIKOR KHODANIAN

Discussions have begun in the National Assembly of Armenia on the government’s five-year program, covering various areas of governance. The foreign policy section of the program stands out for its distinctive approach, confirming that a multipolar strategy is set to become an irreversible doctrine for the new government.

Among the provisions included in the program are the consolidation of the peace established with Azerbaijan; advancing the process of normalizing relations with Turkey; deepening strategic relations with Iran; strengthening strategic cooperation with Georgia; deepening strategic cooperation with the European Union; strengthening strategic cooperation with the United States; and, finally, transforming and deepening partnership relations with the Russian Federation.

As can be seen, through this multifaceted approach, the government is attempting to address both the security and economic challenges facing the country, without becoming dependent on any single country or international organization.

Consolidating the still-fragile peace established with Azerbaijan is a priority for which Armenia is making certain concessions. However, in the long term, this represents an important step toward the country’s development and improving the standard of living of its people.

The same applies to clarifying and normalizing relations with Turkey. Whether we like it or not, Turkey has become an important player and an influential country in the region and beyond. In the Diaspora, we can continue to pursue our national claims and objectives, but we should not expect Armenia, as a state, to pursue the same objectives. We must be able to distinguish between statecraft and individual perspectives.

Iran and Georgia are two neighboring countries through which landlocked Armenia, under blockade, has access to the outside world. Deepening relations with these two countries is a priority that Yerevan, through its flexible policy, has been able to advance successfully. The repercussions of the United States’ misguided and ill-conceived war against Iran could also affect Armenia if Washington implements plans to impose a comprehensive blockade on Iran.

As for Europe and the United States, in recent years—particularly following the latest wars in Artsakh—both have become a lifeline for Armenia. With their support, Yerevan has been able to transition toward a multipolar foreign policy and is now taking its first steps toward economic diversification and expanding access for Armenian products to other markets.

With regard to Russia, the first thing to note is that relations with that country are now characterized as a partnership rather than a strategic alliance, as they had been for decades. In recent years, Russia’s anti-Armenian policies have reached a point where the alliance between the two countries has been called into question.

This development has taken place in the aftermath of the events following the 2020 44-day war, when one of the parties considered an ally not only failed to fulfill its obligations stipulated by existing agreements, but, on the contrary, acted against the interests of its ally. It continues along the same path by waging an economic war against Armenia and interfering in the country’s internal affairs in an attempt to establish a government in Yerevan contrary to the will of the Armenian people.

The Kremlin cannot come to terms with the reality that Armenia, a small country in terms of territory but rich in human potential, dares to move out of its orbit and pursue a foreign policy based on its own national interests.

The Social Democrat Hunchakian Party (SDHP) shares Armenia’s foreign policy vision and calls upon broad segments of the Armenian Diaspora to stand behind and support the programs adopted by the Armenian state.

“MASSIS”