Armenia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ararat Mirzoyan participated in a U.S. government-organized event in New York titled “Prosperity Through Peace: Investing in the Trans-Caspian Trade Route and TRIPP.”

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Armenia, Mirzoyan was a speaker at a discussion titled “Prospects for Peace: Implementing TRIPP and the Trans-Caspian Route,” together with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Brendan Hanrahan. U.S. Special Envoy for Peace Missions Steve Witkoff also participated in the event.

The discussion addressed the agenda of peace and regional connectivity, as well as important achievements recorded since August 8, 2025.

“In his remarks, Minister Mirzoyan emphasized the historic significance of the August 8 peace summit, held with decisive U.S. involvement, in establishing peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan and unblocking regional communications. Mirzoyan presented the tangible changes for citizens resulting from the presence of peace on the ground, as well as the positive developments in Armenia-Azerbaijan relations since the establishment of peace. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Mirzoyan emphasized the key importance of TRIPP for the effective development of interregional connectivity among the countries of the region. Mirzoyan also expressed satisfaction with the very tangible, concrete successes achieved in the development of the Armenia-U.S. strategic partnership,” the ministry said. 

The event also addressed financial investment opportunities in the Trans-Caspian Enterprise Fund. Representatives from Georgia, Central Asian countries, as well as the private sector, participated in the discussions.

On the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Benin Corinne Amori Brunet signed two agreements aimed at facilitating travel and strengthening cooperation between the two countries.

According to the ministry’s press release, the first agreement exempts holders of diplomatic and service passports from visa requirements.

The second is a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in diplomatic training between the two countries’ foreign ministries.

Armenia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ararat Mirzoyan met Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova-Chamova in New York.

According to Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, the interlocutors discussed issues related to the implementation of the Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership between Armenia and Bulgaria.

The sides exchanged views on expanding bilateral trade and economic cooperation and opportunities for exporting Armenian products to the European market. They noted the positive results recorded recently, including exports of Armenian flowers, fish products and fruit between June and September 2026.

Ararat Mirzoyan noted that the peace established in the region has created new opportunities for implementing connectivity initiatives.

Both sides highlighted Armenia and Bulgaria’s shared vision of serving as transport hubs in the development of regional connectivity and their readiness to implement inclusive projects, including with EU involvement.

Armenia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ararat Mirzoyan met Foreign Minister of the Republic of Iraq Fuad Hussein in New York.

According to a statement issued by Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, the interlocutors exchanged views on developments in the South Caucasus and the Middle East. They emphasised the importance of making the most of the opportunities provided by peace and, in conditions of peace, by the development of interregional connectivity.

The sides noted with satisfaction the growing dynamics of trade turnover between Armenia and Iraq. They agreed to continue promoting exports of Armenian products to Iraq, including agricultural products.

The Armenian and Iraqi Foreign Ministers also highlighted the importance of cooperation on issues on the agenda within multilateral platforms.

Within the framework of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, David Karapetyan, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Armenia, participated in the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Leaders Roundtable “OGP at 15: Openness, Resilience and Prosperity.”

According to the Armenian ministry’s press release, during the panel discussion on “Prosperous and Competitive Economies,” the Secretary General addressed the challenges facing Armenia in recent years and the importance of ensuring sustainable economic growth under these circumstances, emphasizing the role of strong democratic foundations, the rule of law and effective institutions.

David Karapetyan presented the reforms being implemented in Armenia in the areas of digitalization, expanding public and civic participation, and combating corruption.

Addressing Armenia’s foreign policy priorities, including economic priorities, the Secretary General emphasized the importance of diversifying trade ties, attracting investment and expanding mutually beneficial economic cooperation.

Karapetyan also spoke about the expansion of the mandate of Armenia’s foreign ministry to include international trade.

“It was emphasized that, under conditions of established peace, foreign policy should also contribute to creating economic opportunities, expanding international trade ties and improving citizens’ standard of living. The Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade also highlighted the potential for cooperation within the framework of the Open Government Partnership in terms of promoting international trade, helping local businesses access international markets and developing capacities to attract foreign investment,” the ministry said in the press release.

Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade spokesperson Ani Badalyan said the EU’s trade liberalization measures for Armenian products will help diversify Armenia’s foreign trade, expand access to the EU market for Armenian goods and further deepen Armenia-EU economic and trade cooperation.

Badalyan commented after the EU Council formally adopted temporary trade-liberalization measures for Armenian products.

“Today, September 24, the EU Council’s Competitiveness Council gave final approval to the proposal for a regulation on the application of autonomous trade measures to Armenian products. Following its signing by the Presidents of the European Parliament and the EU Council, the regulation will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and will enter into force the following day. Under this EU regulation, around 80% of Armenia’s exports to the EU will be liberalized, with import duties suspended on a wide range of products, including certain agricultural products. These measures will contribute to the diversification of Armenia’s foreign trade, expand access to the EU market for Armenian products, and further deepen Armenia-EU economic and trade cooperation. Once it enters into force, the preferential regime will apply for a period of two years. Earlier, on September 2, the EU Council gave its approval to the proposal without amendments. Then, on September 15, the European Parliament approved the document in a plenary session. Yesterday, September 23, the proposal was also adopted by the EU Council’s Committee of Permanent Representatives of the Member States. With the adoption of this regulation, Armenia becomes the only country that, without EU candidate status or a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area agreement with the EU, receives such an economic benefit. This once again demonstrates the unprecedentedly high level of Armenia-EU partnership and is in line with the spirit of the declaration of the first Armenia-EU summit and the strategic agenda of the partnership,” the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade spokesperson said.

Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ararat Mirzoyan thanked EU member states for supporting Armenia.

Mirzoyan expressed gratitude after the EU Council formally adopted temporary trade-liberalization measures for Armenian products.

“A warm welcome & sincere thanks to EU Member States for endorsing EU Commission proposal on Autonomous Trade Measures for Made in Armenia products. A powerful token of solidarity & support, & another milestone in Armenia-EU Partnership, in line with our Summit Declaration & Strategic Agenda,” Mirzoyan said on X.

Armenian envoy to the EU, Ambassador Tigran Balayan, also commented on the EU Council decision. “Yet another manifestation of solidarity with Armenia by the EU & all its Member States,” he said.

Secretary General of Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Davit Karapetyan met representatives of the American Jewish Committee in New York.

According to a statement issued by Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, the meeting addressed prospects for developing cooperation in various areas of mutual interest. The sides also exchanged views on Armenia-Israel relations.

Davit Karapetyan also presented to the interlocutors the new realities that have emerged in the South Caucasus and the opportunities that have opened up following the outcomes of the Washington Peace Summit of August 8, 2025.

Armenia’s Security Council Secretary Alen Simonyan rejected suggestions that the process of opening the Armenia-Türkiye border has stalled.

“Armenia’s border with Türkiye is open. The process has not stopped; it has slowed down. I tend to associate this more with the completion of the processes between Armenia and Azerbaijan and reaching the point of no return, which, in my assessment, is definitely a matter for the near future,” he said at a press briefing.

“I mean both the point of no return, which we crossed long ago in terms of peace, and the issue of opening the border. There is no reason for me to think that this issue will not be resolved or will be delayed further,” Simonyan said.

The Security Council Secretary added that work is also underway on the Turkish side aimed at restoring infrastructure in this direction.

“We also hold meetings, and our businesspeople go there. It is a process that is progressing positively,” Simonyan said.

Türkiye unilaterally closed its land border with Armenia in 1993. The two countries have intensified normalization efforts in recent years, and Armenia has said it stands ready for Türkiye to open the border at any time. The border checkpoints have been upgraded and are ready to operate.

On September 22, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said in his address to the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York that Türkiye and Armenia had made progress in the process of normalizing bilateral relations.

Armenia’s Security Council Secretary Alen Simonyan addressed speculation about a possible increase in the price of imported Russian gas.

Speaking at a press briefing, Simonyan was asked what the Armenian authorities would do if Russia decided to raise the gas price.

“We have said, and will maintain, the position that we have four neighboring countries, and if a fifth country offers to supply us with gas through transit, we will consider that offer. The price of gas also includes a political component. We are not prepared, and will no longer be prepared, to depend on a single pipeline or a single pressure point, and we will pursue the process of diversifying all sectors of Armenia’s economy,” Simonyan said.

The Security Council Secretary emphasized that the Republic of Armenia is an independent country that forms its government through the choice of its people and has no conflict that could be used to generate political processes in Armenia or steer political processes in any direction.

“The Republic of Armenia will preserve its sovereignty. Our partners in the Russian Federation also constantly say that this is your sovereign right to decide. The Republic of Armenia has not compromised and will not compromise its interests,” he said.

Consumers in Armenia currently pay AMD 143.7 per cubic meter of gas. Socially vulnerable groups pay a subsidized tariff of AMD 100.