Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan addressed a range of pressing domestic and foreign policy matters during a press conference on Wednesday, offering insight into Yerevan’s evolving stance on regional ties, security alliances, and national institutions.
Armenia seeks to reshape its foreign policy and internal structure, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said during a wide-ranging press conference on Wednesday, touching on relations with Russia, Türkiye, and the European Union, as well as the role of the Armenian Apostolic Church and regional connectivity talks.
Russia relations: “Not about confrontation”
Pashinyan reiterated that Armenia wishes to maintain normal and friendly relations with Russia based on mutual respect. Addressing the recent suspension of Russian TV broadcasts in Armenia, he emphasised that Yerevan is not seeking confrontation but claimed some Russian channels had “crossed all boundaries.”
He added that despite his respectful and open relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, there are internal forces in Russia pressuring Armenia into decisions it would prefer to avoid.
Karabakh recognition: “We were late”
The Prime Minister expressed regret over Armenia’s delayed recognition of Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan. “We should have done it much earlier,” Pashinyan said, noting that he formally recognised Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, including Karabakh, in 2022. He underscored that recognising neighbours’ sovereignty is essential for asserting Armenia’s own territorial integrity.
Türkiye dialogue: “No alternatives to reconciliation”
Pashinyan stated that reconciliation with Türkiye is Armenia’s only viable option. Responding to domestic criticism, he questioned what alternative paths citizens expected, asking whether they preferred a confrontational stance with a powerful neighbour.
He spoke positively about his recent meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, describing it as open and constructive. Discussions included reopening communications, rebuilding the historic Ani bridge, and expanding bilateral cooperation.
EU integration: “Yes, we want membership”
Responding to European queries, Pashinyan confirmed Armenia’s aspiration to join the European Union. He acknowledged the challenges ahead, including the need for consensus among EU member states and alignment with European standards.
CSTO: Exit more likely than reactivation
When questioned about Armenia’s future in the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), Pashinyan stated that leaving the bloc is more likely than restoring full participation. The Prime Minister has previously criticised the CSTO’s response to Armenia’s security concerns.
Stalled regional cooperation
The trilateral working group involving Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia—formed to reopen regional transport links—has been inactive. Pashinyan attributed this to practical disagreements and a lack of trust among participants.
Church-state relations: “Protecting the church from within”
Addressing tensions with the Armenian Apostolic Church, Pashinyan denied orchestrating a campaign against it and called the church sacred for him and his family. He suggested current church actions were harming its integrity and said the government aims to protect the institution from internal decay, not dismantle it.
Corridor proposal: U.S. offers to manage transit route through Zangezur
One of the key revelations is that the United States has proposed taking operational responsibility for a potential transport corridor connecting mainland Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan exclave via Armenia’s Zangezur region. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan confirmed receiving proposals from Washington, according to Armenpress.
The corridor, stretching approximately 32 kilometres, remains a central topic in ongoing peace talks between Baku and Yerevan. Azerbaijan strongly supports securing the corridor to guarantee direct and uninterrupted access to Nakhchivan and beyond, reducing dependence on regional blockages.
U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye, Tom Barrack, recently stated that Washington suggested a long-term operational model: "Give us the 32 kilometres of road on a hundred-year lease, and you can all share it," he said last Friday, underlining America’s proposal to ensure safe and open transit.
U.S. President Donald Trump has arrived in Alaska on Friday for his high-stakes summit with Russia's Vladimir Putin after saying he wants to see a cea...
Gold prices were steady on Friday but remained on track for a weekly decline, as stronger-than-expected U.S. inflation data dampened expectations for ...
The California Coastal Commission on Thursday voted against a proposal by Elon Musk’s SpaceX to almost double its permitted annual Falcon 9 rocket l...
Donald Trump travelled to Alaska on Friday for what he described as a “high-stakes” summit with Russian president Vladimir Putin, aimed at securin...
U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans for new tariffs on steel and semiconductor imports, aiming to boost domestic manufacturing while offering ...
Gold prices were steady on Friday but remained on track for a weekly decline, as stronger-than-expected U.S. inflation data dampened expectations for interest rate cuts and shifted market attention to the meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The California Coastal Commission on Thursday voted against a proposal by Elon Musk’s SpaceX to almost double its permitted annual Falcon 9 rocket launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base, raising the limit from 50 to 95.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he would not negotiate on Ukraine’s behalf during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, stressing that Kyiv must decide whether to pursue any territorial swaps with Moscow.
Donald Trump travelled to Alaska on Friday for what he described as a “high-stakes” summit with Russian president Vladimir Putin, aimed at securing a ceasefire in Ukraine and ending the deadliest conflict in Europe since the Second World War.
The world’s biggest dance music festival faces an unexpected setback as a fire destroys its main stage, prompting a last-minute response from organisers determined to keep the party alive in Boom, Belgium.
A powerful eruption at Japan’s Shinmoedake volcano sent an ash plume more than 3,000 metres high on Sunday morning, prompting safety warnings from authorities.
According to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck the Oaxaca region of Mexico on Saturday.
A resumption of Iraq’s Kurdish oil exports is not expected in the near term, sources familiar with the matter said on Friday, despite an announcement by Iraq’s federal government a day earlier stating that shipments would resume immediately.
A magnitude 5.2 earthquake struck 56 kilometres east of Gorgan in northern Iran early Sunday morning, according to preliminary seismic data.
Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, is set to become a meeting point for musicians from across the Asian continent as it prepares to host the first-ever Silk Way Star vocal competition this August. The announcement was made during a press conference at the Kazmedia Center.
The Washington Agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan has sparked a mix of hope, doubt, and cautious realism among Armenians.
From factories to battery plants, Türkiye’s robotics surge is boosting output, quality, and global recognition.
Applied Materials warned of declining visibility and heightened uncertainty for the semiconductor sector, as U.S. export restrictions and shifting trade policies weigh on Chinese demand.
China’s factory output and retail sales growth slowed sharply in July, adding pressure on Beijing to deploy further stimulus as the $19 trillion economy faces weakening domestic demand and external shocks.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment