Arab Media Summit: Regional voices look to a wider global audience
Wednesday's session of the 24th Arab Media Summit in Dubai has shifted the discussion towards a central que...
Armenia’s Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan says progress in talks with Azerbaijan is helping the country manage economic and security pressures as regional conflicts and alliances shift.
Speaking at the Delphi Economic Forum in Greece on Wednesday (22 April), he pointed to recent diplomatic steps, including a draft peace agreement and the Washington Declaration, aimed at normalising relations after years of tension between the neighbours.
Armenia and Azerbaijan have fought intermittently since the late Soviet period, including wars over Nagorno-Garabagh. In recent years, both sides have moved towards a formal peace framework, backed by international mediation.
"Yerevan has come close to signing a peace agreement with Baku. The Washington Peace Declaration signed with Azerbaijan brought real peace to our region. It also increased our ability to deal with the difficulties created by regional conflicts that affect us negatively," Grigoryan said.
Grigoryan said Armenia’s energy market has remained relatively stable despite volatility in global prices.
Fuel costs rose earlier this year but have broadly returned to end-of-last-year levels, he said.
He said the stability was partly due to growing economic cooperation with Azerbaijan, including fuel imports that have supported domestic supply.
Armenia has limited domestic energy resources and has traditionally relied on Russia and Iran for gas, oil products and electricity.
That dependence has left the country exposed to external shocks.
Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Russia’s energy sector has come under greater strain, including from infrastructure strikes and rising domestic demand, which have affected export capacity.
Sanctions and restrictions linked to Iran have added further uncertainty over supply routes and pricing.
Grigoryan said broader geopolitical tensions continue to shape energy markets.
He said developments in the Middle East, particularly involving Iran, have had a direct impact on global oil flows.
He highlighted disruptions such as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key transit route for a large share of the world’s oil shipments.
Such disruptions can quickly affect fuel prices in smaller, import-dependent economies like Armenia.
According to Grigoryan, closer economic ties with Azerbaijan have helped ease some of these pressures.
Fuel imports linked to this cooperation have supported supply and reduced the impact of global price swings on the domestic market.
This comes as both countries explore broader economic links alongside political negotiations.
U.S. Central Command said 101 commercial vessels have been redirected in the Strait of Hormuz, while oil prices rose more than three per cent amid fresh regional attacks and supply concerns.
U.S. President Donald Trump has again said Iran is keen to reach a deal quickly, but a senior Iranian security official rejected the claim, saying Tehran will not negotiate until its conditions are met.
A Russian strike on a farm warehouse in Pryluky, north-central Ukraine, has killed at least three people, local police said. Meanwhile, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said an attack on a train near the Polish border was an attempt to intimidate Ukraine's allies.
A Danish military helicopter came within “metres” of being struck by flares fired by a Russian warship, Denmark's Defence Minister Jeppe Bruus said on Tuesday. Russia accused Denmark of carrying out “dangerous manoeuvres” near its ship, and said it was investigating the incident.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is outlining the EU's priorities in her annual State of the Union address, covering security, support for Ukraine, trade with China, migration, climate and artificial intelligence.
Afghanistan is seeking direct access to Azerbaijani fuel suppliers, increased exports and greater investment as Kabul and Baku move to strengthen economic and private-sector ties.
At least 12 Palestinians, including five children, were killed after a seven-storey apartment building in Gaza collapsed overnight, leaving dozens trapped beneath the rubble.
Türkiye has completed production of its first lunar spacecraft, with the probe now undergoing tests ahead of a planned launch in early 2027.
Kazakhstan and South Korea have agreed to upgrade relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, as the two countries discuss nearly $19 billion in projects spanning energy, critical minerals and infrastructure.
The opening day of the 24th Arab Media Summit in Dubai highlighted how geopolitical, economic and technological upheaval is reshaping not only the region, but the media industry itself.
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