26 minute read
Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister’s Office, Arayik Harutyunyan, in an exclusive interview with Armenpress, provided a detailed overview of the achievements recorded in the peace process with Azerbaijan. He also addressed the organization and preparation of large-scale, high-level international summits to be held in Armenia this year, the expected high-level visits within that context, as well as a number of issues related to the pre-election campaign for the general elections.
Harutyunyan also spoke about the situation around Iran and overall, the Middle East, underscoring that the Armenian government has developed the necessary mechanisms to respond to various possible scenarios related to these developments.
Armenpress: Yerevan will become one of the main destinations on the world’s political map this May: Armenia will host the 8th summit of the European Political Community. How is the country preparing for this major political event? Is there already clarity about which heads of state will participate in the summit? What will be the main message of this summit?
Harutyunyan: You are absolutely right to point this out. In early May—on the 3rd and 4th—the 8th summit of the European Political Community will take place in Yerevan. It became known last spring that Armenia would host the event, and we have been preparing for it since that time.
At this stage, we are already in what can be called the main preparation phase, because the organization that will carry out the core work has been selected, and the summit will be held at the Sports and Concert Complex.
Around 50 world leaders, as well as directors, leaders, and secretaries-general of international organizations, are expected to attend the summit.
In essence, this choice indicates one thing: Armenia has begun to gain significant importance on the political stage of the European continent, which is why the right to host such a responsible and large-scale event has been granted to the Republic of Armenia.
This speaks volumes. We will be hosting all European leaders here. I cannot specify the exact number at this moment because registrations are still ongoing, but we expect—following the pattern of previous summits—that everyone, or at least the majority, will participate. As far as I know, not all leaders attend every summit, but most of them do. In any case, the registrations taking place now indicate that, yes, we will likely see such participation.
From the perspective of politics and international relations, this also sends a very clear message in light of recent regional developments. It signals that peace has been established around Armenia and in the region, and that this peace must be preserved and further developed. It has created new opportunities, which is also why the leaders of major states are visiting Armenia.
We will also have official state visits. However, I cannot specify their number at this moment. At least one has already been confirmed, and we are working in that direction as well. In other words, this is also an opportunity to further develop bilateral relations.
Armenpress: The meeting of European leaders will be followed by the first Armenia–European Union summit. Under one roof will gather all high-ranking officials of the European Union, including the President of the European Council, António Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to discuss the future of bilateral relations. What will be the main issues on the agenda of that meeting, and how does our country see its European prospects?
Harutyunyan: As you know, last year we adopted the relevant law in the National Assembly. In addition, we have a very extensive agenda with the European Union. This direction is very important to us because we are dealing with a union where very high standards are established, and Armenia, as a state, strives to meet those standards. At the very least, relations with the European Union at this level serve the interests of the Republic of Armenia.
Moreover, in recent years significant work has been carried out in a number of areas—for example, on visa liberalization. I believe this topic will also be on the agenda, along with many similar issues, including economic and humanitarian cooperation.
In other words, all the areas that we have been discussing and working on for years will be addressed. The summit will provide an opportunity to summarize the progress made and outline new opportunities for further development.
Armenpress: Immediately after these important discussions, domestic political processes in Armenia will enter the phase of the pre-election campaign. Recently, you stated that “the reliable and trustworthy organization of elections is a fundamental and continuous political commitment of the Armenian government.” What are the main steps required to implement this commitment? What challenges do you see in this process?
Harutyunyan: I made that statement during an event organized jointly by the United Nations Development Programme and the Central Electoral Commission. We currently have a cooperation format with the United Nations and international partners aimed at developing the capacities of the Central Electoral Commission.
As you know, the general elections of 2018 and 2021 were recognized by all international organizations as meeting high international standards. We are committed to ensuring that the 2026 elections are at least on par with those of 2018 and 2021—and ideally represent another step forward in the development and strengthening of democratic institutions. It is also no coincidence that the funding allocated for this capacity-building effort is being shared with international organizations, with the Republic of Armenia also making its own contribution.
As for the challenges we will face, they are similar to those that many countries have encountered in recent years before elections. These include hybrid threats, through which attempts may be made to influence elections, as well as disinformation and cyberattacks. In all these areas, we are currently working with our international partners to strengthen our institutions. The goal is not only to address these issues during the upcoming elections but also to establish mechanisms for the future that will allow these institutions to effectively withstand such threats.
These threats are relatively new for humanity and for states, and we must learn how to counter them and ensure that they do not affect the normal development of the state or internal political processes.
Of course, another major concern could be possible financial interference during elections. At least from the media and other sources we receive such signals. However, I am confident that the relevant authorities are monitoring this information and reports and are taking action within their powers to prevent such possibilities and ensure they do not occur, because this too represents a significant threat to elections and to their legitimacy.
Armenpress: And what will be the strategy of your political force during the election campaign? Looking ahead, let’s also discuss the expected outcomes, and depending on those results, what potential opportunities for cooperation with other political forces do you foresee?
Harutyunyan: The Civil Contract party has made the decision to seek the people’s full mandate, because tremendous work has been carried out in many areas over these years.
We will speak more specifically about both strategy and tactics closer to the elections, but it is already clear that we have accomplished so much during this period that it will be quite challenging to present and communicate all of it to the public even during the one-month pre-election campaign.
At the same time, we will have a message about the future, and one of the main points will naturally focus on the developments laid down in recent years—particularly those related to strengthening peace, security, and stability, since stability is a key guarantee for economic development.
Of course, we will also discuss our economic and social programs—those we have implemented, are implementing, and plan to implement—as well as issues related to public welfare and their solutions.
Armenpress: Last month, you held meetings in the United States. How would you summarize the outcomes of these meetings with the Armenian diaspora communities?
Harutyunyan: I visited Southern California—the largest Armenian community in the United States—together with the Prime Minister’s Chief Adviser, Lilit Makunts. The purpose of the visit was clear: to present our programs and engage with our compatriots, because, in our impression, the level of disinformation there was quite high, and this negativity also had some impact on our information space.
During our visit, we held numerous meetings with our compatriots and various circles—both public political figures and business communities—and conducted about ten interviews with different television channels, all aimed at dispelling that negativity and presenting the real situation in Armenia.
Of course, we had some expectations and observations, but once again we confirmed that we are dealing with an organized, aggressive minority spreading this disinformation. The vast majority, however, mainly understands the positive trends and potential developments in Armenia, although there are naturally some information gaps.
I want to emphasize again that over the past eight years, our government has focused more on doing the work than on communicating it, which is sometimes correct but mostly a mistake, because what you do needs to be communicated so that the public is aware of the tremendous work being carried out.
In this regard, we also recognized in the United States that there is still work to do to convey the full and accurate information to our compatriots there. We believe that we addressed the objectives of the visit during that one-week period. Of course, we are now receiving calls and letters suggesting another visit, but unfortunately, due to the ongoing pre-election process, we cannot carry it out in person. But thank God, technology has advanced enough to allow us to do it remotely via video calls and other digital means, which we will implement. Overall, I believe the main issues were resolved during our visit.
Armenpress: The Armenia–Azerbaijan peace process: Armenia has consistently addressed the peace agenda at the highest level, viewing it as a cornerstone for regional stability and development. How would you assess the real progress of the peace process and the achievements made in this direction? On what main principles is Armenia’s position based, and what practical results or developments do you expect in the near future?
Harutyunyan: There’s not much new I can say in this regard, because everything in our programs and objectives is already public, and we discuss it at all levels. If we talk about achievements, they have been significant at least since August 2025.
For example, there has been no gunfire or clashes along the border—almost two years now—and there have been no casualties at the border. To some extent, the border has been opened for the transport of goods, meaning that economic routes and infrastructure are being unlocked. Shipments are now coming to Armenia through Azerbaijan via shorter routes from various countries, and I am confident that soon goods will also flow in the opposite direction.
We are also seeing reciprocal visits between civil societies, and the leadership of both countries is engaging with each other at a very high intensity. This demonstrates that we have made considerable progress and that the process of normalization is happening rapidly, which is very important and, in some ways, exceptional. As a historian, I can say that conflicts with histories of around 40 years usually see reconciliation and resolution progress very slowly, which is not the case here.
Of course, there is still a lot of work ahead. Both the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaderships need to work on changing public attitudes and perceptions, because this is a very sensitive issue for both societies. Time is needed for these attitudes to shift so that cooperation between the two peoples can occur within a positive framework, rather than in the mindsets that existed prior to August 8, 2025.
Armenpress: The TRIPP initiative stems from the declaration signed on August 8, 2025, in Washington between Armenia and Azerbaijan under U.S. mediation, and Armenia and the United States already have a clear roadmap for its implementation. How would you assess the feasibility of carrying out this project, especially given the current geopolitical conditions, and what specific benefits could its implementation bring to Armenia—economically, in terms of connectivity, and politically?
Harutyunyan: First of all, I want to emphasize once again the importance of the TRIPP project for the Republic of Armenia, both from a security and economic perspective. This must be properly assessed because, essentially, the world’s number-one economy [U.S.] is making a significant investment in infrastructure, which implies both protected infrastructure and substantial economic benefits for Armenia.
As you know, various regions today are embroiled in wars, and major states are imposing sanctions on each other, leading to significant blockages in infrastructure. The route that will pass through southern Armenia is, in fact, one of the few routes that will allow east–west cargo transport. Current routes are heavily congested, and constructing this route through Armenia will allow shipments toward the south, and if it passes through Gulf countries, toward a bit more north.
This implies considerable revenues, both for the company in which we hold a stake and for the Republic of Armenia. I want to stress again that this is a critical security and economic project, and at this point, I believe we, I mean the society, the Republic of Armenia, the citizens, don’t yet fully realize just how important this route is for Armenia’s role in the region and for ensuring its security.
I can also say that negotiations and practical work with the U.S. side are ongoing regarding the company’s establishment. We have made significant progress, and the process is moving at the pace we want. We would like it to be a bit faster, but it is developing naturally, and very soon, work on the ground will begin.
Armenpress: This year, Armenia will host another large-scale event—the COP17. Holding this event at a high level can significantly enhance the country’s international standing. Mr. Harutyunyan, in your view, what is the strategic significance of this conference for Armenia, and what impact could it have on the country’s climate policy and investment environment?
Harutyunyan: This is yet another proof of the role Armenia plays in international relations. I would like to note that, unlike the decision to host the European Political Community summit, which was made by consensus, the right to host COP17 was granted to Armenia through a vote, and the majority of UN member states participating in that vote supported Armenia’s candidacy. This highlights Armenia’s significance on the international stage.
In terms of content, ecological, climate, and biodiversity issues are extremely pressing worldwide, as industrial and technological development has led to the destruction or limitation of large natural areas, which also impacts biodiversity. For Armenia, organizing this summit—with delegations and leaders from about 100 countries—is important for bringing the best international experience to the country.
We have already implemented many biodiversity programs in Armenia, including significant restrictions on hunting and poaching, with active measures to combat these activities, as well as projects related to plant diversity. A clear sign of success is that today, while traveling through Armenia, one can encounter wild animals in many areas.
The summit will also help us assess whether the programs we are implementing are effective and what needs to be done to further develop them. Additionally, COP17 usually involves important decisions and conventions, which may or may not be adopted in Yerevan, but discussions and decisions made at the summit have a global impact, particularly in the field of biodiversity.
Armenpress: Let’s turn to the regional situation. The developments surrounding Iran have a significant impact on the security and geopolitical balance of the entire region. How does Armenia assess the current situation, and what risks or opportunities do you see for the country?
Harutyunyan: Within the framework of the Security Council, we have established a working group that is intensively monitoring the situation to neutralize any potential fallout for Armenia. The group regularly provides reports to the country’s leadership, based on which the necessary measures are determined and implemented.
Of course, the developments in Armenia’s near region are quite serious and, overall, have a significant negative impact on regional development and are likely to continue doing so in the future. They also affect the global economy, as today the major oil-producing countries, for example in the Persian Gulf, face significant restrictions on oil extraction and sales, which influence prices and, consequently, the global economy as well as individual national economies.
Armenia maintains close cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran in all areas, and these developments naturally have an impact on that cooperation, especially in economic terms. We are doing everything possible to mitigate the negative effects and prevent them from affecting our economic development, which in recent years has been quite strong: last year, economic growth was 7.2%, and over the past eight years, it has averaged around 8%, if I’m not mistaken. Maintaining this pace is important, even as such developments exert negative effects on the economies of all countries, including neighboring states.
We have repeatedly called for all conflicts to be resolved peacefully and diplomatically. We deeply regret the numerous casualties in all the countries involved in this conflict. We hope for a prompt resolution, with countries at least sitting at the negotiation table to find solutions to the conflict.
Armenpress: Are there established anti-crisis mechanisms through which the Armenian government is preparing for possible scenarios? Sometimes, critics claim that Armenia’s response is insufficient. How would you comment on that?
Harutyunyan: I should say that we have developed these scenarios long ago, and they are discussed within the framework of the working group. In other words, we have done our homework, have several development scenarios prepared, and they are on the table. When the Security Council or the relevant authorities signal the need, we activate the appropriate scenario.
Critics should understand that such matters are not publicly discussed, and the public only sees their implementation if necessary. You don’t reveal, “in this case we will use scenario A, in that case scenario B,” because these are sensitive issues, and discussing them publicly could create unnecessary tension.
Therefore, the government monitors the situation, has prepared scenarios for different situations, and acts according to these pre-established plans.
Armenpress: Mr. Harutyunyan, thank you for an interesting and comprehensive conversation. Would you like to add anything?
Harutyunyan: I think we have covered everything. The next three months will be quite active in terms of Armenia’s domestic and foreign political developments. I also believe that what will take place during this period will contribute to strengthening Armenia’s institutions, foreign policy, security, and economy.