March: 28, 2026
168 TVs՝ “Zara has a question” the guest of the program Diaspora Armenian businessman, global energy and security expert, economist, writer Vahan Zanoyan is.
In the conversation, Vahan Zanoyan referred to the messages conveyed by the authorities: peace agendas, the ideology of “real” Armenia, the prospect of synchronization with TRIPP and the Turkish-Azerbaijani energy systems, as well as the possibility of the return of Armenian prisoners illegally held in Baku, the processes launched against the church and other internal and external challenges.
– The yellow map symbol of “Real Armenia” is ordered by Pashinyan to the citizens during the undeclared pre-election campaign. In your opinion, is this a sign of pragmatism, as the authorities convince us, or the helplessness of the authorities, which they convey to the citizens with the vision of depriving us of our historical dreams and national values?
– That which is easily bent cannot be cut. our entire foreign policy is about bending so as not to be cut off. They make more concessions than necessary to avoid a new war.
According to me, the ideology of “real” Armenia is not only a pragmatic policy to avoid the next war, but it is about changing the collective consciousness and memory of the entire Armenian people in a radical way.
If we look at this ideology in detail, there are many truths, for example, the state is indeed an absolute value, but it starts with the truth, and after these truths come such conclusions that are absurd: it is said: the state is the motherland, yes, but only the state is the motherland, that is, whatever is outside of that 29740.3 km2, any historical or present value, memory, consciousness, national courts, has nothing to do with that motherland and that state.
– Why do they separate the nation, the motherland, the state?
– Our biggest crisis today has separated national interests and agenda from state interests and agenda. I have been a security consultant to different countries for 35 years and I have not met a single successful country where national interests are separated from state interests to such an extent.
There is nothing like this in the world, in any place, in any country. even Turkey does not have this.
Preventing war is a smart thing to do, but if we need to take some steps to prevent that war, we take 15,000 times more of those steps. that is the problem, and in the long term we are creating new dangers.
– In other words, there are more concessions than there should be?
– There are much more than there should be. For example, what does it matter to say that we do not pursue historical justice? It is a different thing to say that we are chasing historical justice, we are demanding our lands, but why say that we don’t need to, we are not persecuting, let’s not talk about the Genocide.
– They say that it is not our priority, but yesterday in the context of Artsakh, when Pashinyan had a briefing, he mentioned that it is harmful to talk about the “ethnic cleansing” of Artsakh.
– Now I have the impression. that every policy or strategy that is adopted in Yerevan today is the result of mere fear, not created with the interest of strengthening the state in the long term.
Ruling a country with fear is a very dangerous thing.
Details in the video
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Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Receives Phone Call from
Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Receives Phone Call from Foreign Minister of Armenia
Doha, March 28 (QNA) – HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani received a phone call from HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan.
During the call, they explored the developments of the military escalation in the region and its serious repercussions for regional and international security and stability, in addition to ways to resolve all disputes by peaceful means.
HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasized, during the call, the necessity of halting the unjustified Iranian attacks on Qatar and other countries in the region, warning in this context against the irresponsible targeting of vital infrastructure, particularly that related to water, food, and energy facilities.
His Excellency also stressed the need to strengthen coordination, intensify joint efforts, return to the negotiating table, and prioritize reason and wisdom to contain the crisis, thereby ensuring global energy security, freedom of navigation, environmental safety, and preserving regional stability. (QNA)
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Armenia Seeks Gas Pipeline Reroute Via Georgia
By PanARMENIAN
A 5.5-kilometer segment of the gas pipeline supplying Armenia from Georgia will be relocated at Armenia’s request. The application has already been submitted to the Environmental Supervision Department of Georgia’s Ministry of Natural Resources.
Armenia’s request is due to the fact that this section of the gas pipeline on the Armenian side is located in the trilateral border area of Armenia–Georgia–Azerbaijan and was mined in the 1990s, reports Sputnik Georgia.
The pipeline will be moved several kilometers and connected to a new segment constructed on the Armenian side.
The justification states: “Given that it is impossible to maintain minimum safety standards or carry out repair works in this section, it was decided, based on a trilateral interstate agreement, to remove the problematic part of the pipeline from the mined area and build a new pipeline at a safe distance.”
Russian gas reaches Armenia through this pipeline from Georgia, covering most of the country’s gas demand.
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Washington’s Renewed Caucasus Focus: Vance’s Visit and U.S. Strategic Interes
In February 2026, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance undertook a diplomatic tour of Armenia and Azerbaijan that the governments in Yerevan and Baku characterized as the most consequential U.S. engagement in the South Caucasus since the Washington-hosted Armenia-Azerbaijan peace summit of August 2025. The trip signaled that Washington’s diplomatic, economic, and security focus is intensifying at a strategic level in a region long dominated by Russian influence.
This visit, historic in both symbolism and substance, reflects a multidimensional U.S. agenda: anchoring the consolidation of peace, expanding economic and technological ties, and reconfiguring regional alignments amidst evolving global competition.
Vance’s visit marked the first such trip by a sitting U.S. vice president to Armenia and only the second to Azerbaijan in modern history. Concrete commitments regarding energy, connectivity, technology, and defense cooperation were achieved, signaling an emerging long-term U.S. policy of sustained engagement within the South Caucasus.
At the core of U.S. policy is a drive to institutionalize the fragile Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process. Vance’s engagement underscored that Washington views a sustainable peace between Yerevan and Baku as foundational to regional stability. The Biden and subsequent Trump administrations have framed this objective not simply in humanitarian or moral terms, but as essential to unlocking the broader socio-economic potential across the Eastern Europe–West Asia arc.
The U.S. role has shifted from pure mediation to constructing peace infrastructure through diplomatic backing, economic incentives, and active support for confidence-building measures. Washington’s articulation of its role as a guarantor of peace is intended to firmly anchor Armenia and Azerbaijan within cooperative frameworks that mitigate the risk of renewed conflict. This carries resonance beyond bilateral relations—it shapes how regional powers, including Russia, Turkey, and Iran, perceive the balance of influence.
A central focus of Vance’s visit was the promotion of the so-called “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP), a proposed transit corridor linking mainland Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan exclave via Armenian territory. The corridor initiative, backed by U.S. firms holding exclusive development rights for decades, is more than just a transport project—it is a geopolitical instrument designed to integrate the Caucasus into broader trade and logistics networks extending from Central Asia to Europe.
For Washington, connectivity projects like TRIPP serve multiple strategic ends. First is the economic leverage, which involves embedding U.S. companies in key infrastructure to foster enduring economic ties and govern long-term commercial stakes. The second aspect is geostrategic positioning, which involves establishing alternative east-west transit routes to reduce dependency on Russia-dominated corridors. This aligns with U.S. objectives of diversifying supply lines and integrating transit networks under Western norms.
To this end, in Baku, Vance signed a Charter on Strategic Partnership that formalized cooperation across the connectivity, energy, digital infrastructure, and security fields, signaling a deepening and more institutionalized framework for U.S.-Azerbaijan engagement.
Energy remains a central pillar of U.S. strategic interest in the “Near Abroad,” and the South Caucasus is key to diversifying global supply routes. The region is situated upon oil and gas fields essential to Europe’s and Asia’s energy security calculations and offers potential transit routes that bypass Russia and Iran. The U.S. has historically supported energy diversification in Europe and Asia to reduce reliance on adversarial states. Vance’s visit underscored the significance of enhancing energy and digital connectivity corridors. By reinforcing Azerbaijan’s role as a transit hub while simultaneously promoting Armenian infrastructure development, Washington is effectively shaping the energy landscape in ways that serve Western market access and supply diversification goals.
Beyond physical infrastructure, the U.S. also signaled a commitment to technological cooperation. The Armenian leg of Vance’s trip included the advancement of cooperation on civilian nuclear energy and digital technology—notably small modular reactors and advanced AI infrastructure—with the aim of integrating Armenia into advanced technological value chains.
Finally, Vance’s visit expanded the security dimension of U.S. engagement. While not reaching the level of NATO guarantees or U.S. military bases, the commitments included defense technology transfers—such as reconnaissance systems—and formal dialogues on security cooperation. For Armenia, this was particularly notable as it represented a diversification away from its historical reliance on Russian military support.
For Azerbaijan, expanded security ties with the United States underscore Baku’s own strategic calculus: balancing its relationships with Turkey, Russia, and the West. This recalibration reflects the broader trend of states hedging across multiple great powers to optimize security and economic outcomes.
Vance’s mission reveals a calculated U.S. strategy to position the South Caucasus as a space of competitive but managed great-power engagement, with Washington asserting a structural role that goes beyond ad hoc diplomacy. This posture intersects with broader geopolitical dynamics. The visit also marks a watershed in U.S. engagement with Armenia and Azerbaijan, as it reveals a comprehensive U.S. strategy to embed itself in the South Caucasus at multiple levels. This engagement reflects Washington’s deepening interest in shaping the region’s geopolitical architecture in ways that align with broader U.S. objectives: anchoring peace, diversifying energy and economic linkages, counterbalancing adversarial influence, and advancing shared prosperity and stability.
Emil Avdaliani is a professor of international relations at the European University in Tbilisi, Georgia, and a scholar of Silk Roads. He can be reached on Twitter/X at @emilavdaliani.
https://caucasuswatch.de/en/insights/washingtons-renewed-caucasus-focus-vances-visit-and-us-strategic-interests-in-armenia-and-azerbaijan.html
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Kocharyan Discusses Diaspora Repatriation, Economic Policy, And Political Part
On March 26, Robert Kocharyan, the leader of the Armenia bloc, stated during a meeting with repatriates that although Armenia once began from a weak position in rebuilding ties with its diaspora, those relations were later significantly strengthened, bringing clear mutual benefits. He emphasized that while the diaspora represents a powerful resource, it simultaneously facilitates emigration, as Armenians abroad often provide networks that make leaving easier if domestic conditions are unfavorable. According to Kocharyan, the key to encouraging repatriation lies in creating a secure, stable, and positive environment within Armenia, as a negative atmosphere inevitably drives people to leave rather than return.
He stressed that past progress in diaspora relations was less the result of formal state programs and more due to the general environment that made relocation appealing. Recalling his time in office, Kocharyan noted that he encouraged diaspora Armenians to establish property in Armenia, and many responded by investing and opening businesses. “Whenever I heard that an Armenian from the diaspora was opening a restaurant, I would always visit them… to show that we… welcome all of this,” he stated. He argued that the country should now enter a new phase, where repatriation is actively supported through structured state policies.
Referring to international examples, Kocharyan highlighted Israel as a leading case with its repatriation law and comprehensive integration programs, describing it as a model worth considering. He also pointed out that Armenia has its own historical experience, particularly during the Soviet period between 1945 and 1949, when around 100,000 Armenians were resettled from abroad with full state support, including transportation and housing. The majority remained in the country, forming lasting communities, which, according to him, demonstrates that large-scale repatriation policies can succeed when properly managed.
Addressing economic policy, Kocharyan explained that simplified taxation was introduced to support the strong entrepreneurial drive among Armenians. He noted that in 1998 small and medium-sized businesses accounted for only 13% of GDP, but later expanded to 46% as a result of supportive measures. He expressed his ambition to increase this share to 70%, proposing further simplification so that small business owners could operate without bureaucratic burdens or frequent contact with tax authorities. “This approach… has yielded tremendous results,” Kocharyan emphasized, adding that modern tools such as smartphones could further ease compliance.
Kocharyan also underlined the importance of aligning economic policy with Armenia’s social and cultural characteristics. He argued that Armenians tend to favor family-based businesses over corporate structures, and policies should reflect these preferences to maximize efficiency. He linked this thinking to past constitutional reforms, noting that earlier legal frameworks restricted such flexibility, prompting him to pursue changes.
Turning to political participation, Kocharyan addressed restrictions on dual citizens holding office, stating that such limitations stem from concerns common in smaller states about external influence. However, he argued that the current rules in Armenia are overly restrictive, particularly the requirement for individuals to renounce foreign citizenship years in advance before entering parliament. While acknowledging the risks, he suggested that a balanced approach is needed to allow repatriated Armenians to engage in political life without raising doubts about their loyalties.
He illustrated this point by referencing the case of Vardan Oskanyan, who, he noted, served effectively for a decade despite circumstances that would prevent such an appointment under current regulations. Kocharyan proposed that restrictions could remain in sensitive sectors such as national security, while being relaxed in less critical areas.
Concluding his remarks, Kocharyan stressed that Armenia’s global influence depends significantly on leveraging its diaspora, stating that a country connected to its diaspora operates in a different “weight class” compared to one that is not. “If you want to be a small country but a major player, you must utilize all these opportunities,” he emphasized.
https://caucasuswatch.de/en/news/kocharyan-discusses-diaspora-repatriation-economic-policy-and-political-participation.html
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Armenian PM Questions Karabakh War Narrative, Prioritizes Stability
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Armenia will not pursue a policy of “historical justice,” warning that such an approach risks perpetuating cycles of conflict.
“I believe we must pursue just reality, not the restoration of ‘historical justice,’ because the more we chase it, the more new injustices we will encounter,” Pashinyan said, emphasizing that the government’s priority is ensuring housing, employment, security and stability for displaced Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh.
He also cautioned against labeling the 2023 events in Karabakh as ethnic cleansing, arguing that such terminology could escalate tensions and provoke reciprocal accusations.
Pashinyan claimed that intelligence assessments indicate that Karabakh forces offered limited resistance during Azerbaijan’s September 2023 military operation, with “perhaps 80% or even 90%” of weapons left unused. He noted that this contradicts claims that fighting continued “until the very end.”
The prime minister attributed part of the outcome to internal political dynamics, alleging that elements within the Karabakh leadership obstructed a potential settlement before the escalation and later left the region, reducing the prospects for return.
Rejecting what he described as a “race of genocides” in regional narratives, Pashinyan stressed that Armenia’s strategic focus must remain on peace and statehood.
Rejecting what he described as a “race of genocides” in regional discourse, Pashinyan stressed that Armenia’s strategic priority is peace and statehood. “It is enough to feed our people with claims about new genocides… We must become peaceful… There is the Republic of Armenia, and nothing else,” he said.
Separately, he addressed the future of Armenia’s railway system, currently operated by a Russian concession, noting that the government is open to transferring management to a third-party operator, including a potential Kazakh company, if mutually acceptable.
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Armenia’s Economy Grows 7.4% in Early 2026
Armenia’s economic activity grew by 7.4% in January–February 2026 compared to the same period last year, driven primarily by strong performance in construction and industry.
Construction led growth, expanding by 20.5% year-on-year to AMD 53.9 billion. February alone recorded a 40.7% increase compared to January and a 21.8% rise year-on-year, reflecting intensified infrastructure activity.
Industrial output rose by 17.2% to AMD 491.5 billion, with February showing a 12.2% monthly increase and a 23.8% annual gain, indicating sustained production momentum.
Trade turnover grew more modestly, up 3.3% to AMD 892.2 billion, though February saw stronger short-term growth. The services sector (excluding trade) expanded by 7.2% to AMD 630.3 billion, despite a slight monthly dip in February.
Inflation remained elevated, with consumer prices rising 4.1% year-on-year in January–February and 4.3% in February alone. Producer prices increased more sharply, up 9% over the same period.
Electricity generation reached 1.82 billion kWh, marking a 7.1% increase year-on-year, although February output declined slightly on a monthly basis.
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Armenia Highlights Regional Connectivity Gains at EAEU Meeting in Kazakhstan
Armenia emphasized regional connectivity gains at the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Intergovernmental Council meeting in Shymkent on March 27.
Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan represented Armenia at the session, alongside senior officials from Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, with additional observer participation from Iran, Cuba and Uzbekistan.
The meeting focused on strengthening economic integration, including industrial cooperation, customs administration and digital systems, as well as monitoring macroeconomic trends across member states.
Grigoryan highlighted the lifting of transit restrictions by Azerbaijan as a significant development.
“The removal of transit barriers opens prospects for unlocking the region’s full potential and promoting trade growth,” he said.
He stressed that improving transport and logistics infrastructure in the South Caucasus could substantially boost foreign trade amid shifting global economic conditions.
Grigoryan also underscored the importance of coordinated monitoring of external economic activity to identify imbalances and protect domestic markets.
He pointed to ongoing cooperation in customs coordination, risk management systems and consumer protection, noting that joint efforts could enhance transparency and trust, particularly in the rapidly growing e-commerce sector.
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NATO Signals Support for Armenia–Azerbaijan Peace Process
NATO’s 2025 annual report highlights progress in the Armenia–Azerbaijan peace process, describing developments as a positive step toward regional stability.
“The initialling of the August peace deal was a major step towards normalization and regional security,” the report states.
NATO emphasized the strategic importance of the South Caucasus, particularly in the context of broader regional dynamics linked to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The report notes that the Alliance “welcomed meaningful progress towards peace” and expressed readiness to deepen dialogue and cooperation with both Armenia and Azerbaijan.
It also highlights the role of the United States in supporting the peace process.
Separately, NATO underscored Armenia’s participation in its Building Integrity Programm, aimed at strengthening transparency and governance in the defense sector.
Armenia is listed among countries receiving “active support” under the initiative, alongside partners such as Georgia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Moldova.
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Turkish press: Armenian premier says he will ‘soon’ pay visit to Russia
Mar 28 2026
Armenian premier says he will ‘soon’ pay visit to Russia
Russia is a friendly country for Armenia, says Nikol Pashinyan
Kanyshai Butun
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has announced his plans for a visit to Russia sometime “soon,” state news agency Armenpress reported.
Meeting with members of the public in the capital Yerevan on Friday, Pashinyan stressed that Russia is a friendly country for Armenia.
“I’ll be going to Russia soon. We maintain ties,” he said.
In a Monday phone call, Pashinyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke on bilateral issues. The two also agreed to continue their talks in a meeting format at the first suitable opportunity.
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