Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Armenia’s import of Azerbaijani petroleum products has saved consumers “tens of billions,” describing the move as a breakthrough in dismantling entrenched monopolies in the domestic fuel market.
Speaking in parliament, Pashinyan argued that access to Azerbaijani fuel — transported via Georgia — helped shield Armenia from external shocks, including instability around the Strait of Hormuz. He described the development as the “final factor” in ending an eight-year monopoly. “Why eight years? Because we are fighting the mafia,” he said, adding that such networks can extend beyond national borders.
Pashinyan also confirmed that Armenia is entering the implementation phase of the U.S.-backed “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP), a regional connectivity initiative. According to him, Armenia, the United States, and Azerbaijan all view the reopening of regional communications as a shared priority, with the project expected to become “an important pillar of long-term, stable, and reliable peace.”
Presenting his government’s 2025 report, Pashinyan said Armenia has moved beyond a phase of “survival and struggle” and entered what he described as a historic period focused on state-building, economic development, and long-term prosperity. “Our historical mission is to… develop the Republic of Armenia… and pass it on to future generations as an independent, peaceful, secure, developed, and prosperous state,” he said.
He acknowledged that this transition came at a significant cost, but argued that the country has now shifted onto a “constructive and peaceful path.” Pashinyan also offered a reassessment of past national narratives, suggesting that earlier perceptions of control masked deeper structural weaknesses in statehood. “The reality is that the Republic of Armenia was not ours and is now ours,” he said.
He concluded that Armenia is entering a new phase in which “the state is both the goal and the means,” with public support — particularly from the 2021 elections — enabling this transition.
—
Disclaimer: This article was contributed and translated into English by Kalashian Nyrie. While we strive for quality, the views and accuracy of the content remain the responsibility of the contributor. Please verify all facts independently before reposting or citing.
Direct link to this article: https://www.armenianclub.com/2026/04/19/pashinyan-says-azerbaijani-fuel-imports-break-market-monopoly/