Armenia’s Foreign Policy
The Armenian Foreign Ministry reported that the inaugural meeting of the Armenia-U.S. Bilateral Working Group took place on December 17, 2025. This group was formed to advance the outcomes of the August 8 peace summit in Washington.
Armenia was represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan, while the United States was represented by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Sonata Coulter.
The inaugural meeting of the Armenian-American Working Group convened after the signing of the peace agreement and associated bilateral accords in Washington on August 8, 2025.
Both parties expressed support for the ongoing development of the strategic partnership between Armenia and the United States.
Kostanyan reiterated Yerevan’s commitment to the practical implementation of the Armenia-U.S. memorandums of understanding.
The Armenian Foreign Ministry stated that both sides emphasized key steps taken to implement the Memorandums of Understanding, and reported on the progress made.
According to the same statement, the groups agreed to continue discussions to implement the specific agreements reached at the expert level.
Armenia’s Domestic Politics
On December 25, 2025, the Armenian government announced that the television and radio company broadcasting the church-run TV channel “Shoghakat” would close on January 1, 2026.
“The Public Spiritual and Cultural Television and Radio Broadcasting Company shall be abolished,” the resolution stated. Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Davit Khudatiani presented the draft.
The Chairman of the State Property Management Committee was directed to form a liquidation commission within 15 days.
The Government of Armenia established the “Spiritual and Cultural Public Television Company” on February 24, 2011, transferring management of its shares to the Council of Public Television and Radio. The company primarily produced and broadcast spiritual and cultural television programs.
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Policy
On December 26, 2025, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov announced that Azerbaijan and the European Union had agreed to begin negotiations on new partnership priorities.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov
The Azerbaijani foreign minister announced that both sides have agreed to resume negotiations on a new agreement. Bayramov also highlighted positive developments in Azerbaijan’s cooperation with the European Union.
He acknowledged that relations with Russia have been generally tense over the past year. “Despite this, relations between our countries have continued. The meeting in Dushanbe was effective in normalizing relations,” Bayramov said.
The foreign minister reported significant progress in the Azerbaijani–Armenian peace process, noting essential steps forward. “Efforts to restore confidence between Azerbaijan and Armenia have intensified. We remain committed to bilateral dialogue to further advance the peace process in 2026. The shipment of grain to Armenia through Azerbaijani territory, and Armenia’s purchase of Azerbaijani oil products, are positive, confidence-building measures,” Bayramov said.
Normalization of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations
On December 28, 2025, Gevorg Papoyan, Armenia’s Minister of Economy, announced that Armenia may soon both import goods from Baku and export products to Azerbaijan.
Minister of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, Gevorg Papoyan
“We have recently received a fairly reasonable transit price offer from Georgian Railways,” the minister noted. “I expect both Georgia and Azerbaijan to update us on future agreements.”
He further stated that Armenia has the potential to export aluminum foil, fruits and vegetables, select beverages, and a range of textile products to Azerbaijan.
Normalization of Turkish-Armenian Relations
On December 30, 2025, Armenia’s Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan announced that a “symbolic step” in Armenian-Turkish relations may occur in early 2026.
The minister concluded that regional unlocking programs, especially the TRIPP project, will remain incomplete without Turkey’s participation. He emphasized that the process should also address the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan
He stated that the dialogue with Ankara extends beyond negotiations, with concrete technical steps already underway. A month prior, a group of experts convened to assess the Gyumri-Kars railway. Mirzoyan noted that the Armenian-Turkish expert group visited both Turkey and Armenia, conducted assessments, and that work is progressing.
“When we discuss lifting the blockade and building cooperative relations with our neighbors, this effort must include Armenian–Turkish relations. I have often stated that our dialogue with Turkey is intensive and positive. However, it is now time to achieve significant, concrete progress. For example, about a month ago, a group of experts assessed the Gyumri-Kars railway node. The Armenian-Turkish team worked on both Turkish and Armenian territory, and this work is ongoing. These steps show progress, but we must now focus on achieving more substantial and tangible results,” Mirzoyan said.
The minister stated that the normalization of relations is inevitable, as it benefits both regional countries and prominent international actors such as the United States, Russia, the European Union, and Iran. When asked about the timing of tangible progress, Mirzoyan refrained from specifying a date, expressed optimism about near-term developments, and did not rule out a symbolic step in the coming days.
“I am confident that we will see significant progress in this direction in the near future, though I cannot specify exact timing. The region is clearly moving forward, and these developments are irreversible because they benefit Armenia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and all international partners, including Europe, Central Asia, the United States, Russia, and Iran. While I cannot predict whether this will occur in early January – on the 1st, 10th, 20th, or 30th – or within a specific month, I do not expect the process to take long. We may even see a symbolic step at the beginning of the year,” the minister added.