The breath of the Iranian conflict is gradually felt on the economy of Armenia. Economic activity is weakening. Even before the start of the conflict, the activity started to weaken, but after the conflict, the pace of weakening accelerated.

In March, compared to the previous month, the rate of economic activity slowed down by 0.6 percent, making 6.6 percent. Before that, it exceeded 7 percent, and in January it even reached 7.6 percent.

According to the data of the quarter, the economic activity dropped to 7.1 percent.

The growth rate has fallen significantly, especially in industry. In the first 2 months of the beginning of the year, there was an impression that a period of “unprecedented growth” had begun in the industry, in February the growth reached almost 24 percent. But it turned out that it is also deceptive. In March, the growth of the industry compared to the previous year dropped to 7 percent, and compared to the previous month, even a decline was registered.

It will be possible to say at the expense of which sectors in particular this sharp shift took place after the openings regarding the economic indicators are published.

Before that, it can be assumed that it was primarily due to the reduction of re-exports of some products carried out under the name of the mining industry, as well as Armenian production.

According to the data of the quarter, especially due to the high growth of the previous period, a 13.4 percent growth was recorded in the industry. It seems that it is not a bad indicator. But, when we look back and see that this happened after the 18.5 percent decline in the same period last year, the picture becomes complete.

After such sharp declines, it is not heroic to register such increases, when even the lost of the previous year could not be restored.

The state of agriculture is especially sad. Last year, when after years of decline, some increases in agriculture were recorded, they were around the world, they made a world-class noise. They praised that the programs implemented in agriculture have begun to bear fruit. Now we see the results of those programs.

Agriculture is in recession again. In the first quarter of this year, the production of agricultural products decreased by 5.2 percent.

We can only guess where the development programs implemented in agriculture have gone. At the expense of the budget, they finance various projects amounting to billions, provide subsidies, repay the interest on loans at the expense of the budget, and the results are like this. This situation proves once again that the programs implemented in agriculture are not effective, money is spent, but the result is not visible.

One year, agriculture grew a little, this year it has fallen again.

After some growth registered in February, especially as a result of the activation of the export of mineral products, foreign trade was again negative in March. Both export and import volumes have decreased. They decreased both compared to the previous year and compared to the previous month. Compared to the previous year, the drop in exports reaches almost 13 percent. Import also decreased by 3.2 percent.

These decreases occurred after the previous year’s abdication. In March of the previous year, the decline of exports exceeded 65 percent, and that of imports exceeded 51 percent.

After such sharp declines, both export and import volumes continued to decrease in March of this year.

The growth of domestic trade turnover has slowed down significantly. According to the data of the quarter, it was barely 2.1 percent, and in March it was almost zero, it increased by only 0.2 percent.

The turnover of domestic trade, particularly retail trade, has a direct relationship with citizens’ consumer demand and solvency. These small increases show that there is almost no progress in terms of the solvent demand of the citizens. And it is not by chance, if we take into account that the rates of inflation, especially food inflation, have increased significantly recently. Food inflation reached almost 8 percent in March, and food is the main commodity group that finds a place in the consumer demand of most citizens.

Like the previous few years, the main hope of Armenia’s economy and economic growth this year is construction. High growths are registered in construction, but these growths are not only systematic and stable, but also do not create much additional value. It makes no sense to talk about economic developments and improvements in the social condition of society based on such increases.

Services also continue to be one of the key sectors of economic growth, where growth often comes from the financial system, gaming business, and to some extent from the information technology sector. Of these 3, IT is certainly the most important, but the role of IT in services is not large, it is barely 7-8 percent, it is almost twice as inferior to the financial system.

At the beginning of the year, this was the picture of the activity of the Armenian economy. Its structure and sectoral distribution show that it is problematic again, it continues to be based on sectors that are not promising in terms of economic developments.

HAKOB KOCHARYAN

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Today, on May 5, Armenia-EU joint declaration was adopted as a result of the Armenia-EU summit in Yerevan. Below we present the full text of the declaration.

«Joint statement on the results of the Armenia-European Union summit

May 5, 2026, Yerevan

We, the leaders of the Republic of Armenia (Armenia) and the European Union (EU), held the first Armenia-European Union summit in Yerevan in 2026. on May 5 and we agreed on the following.

1. Today’s summit is a historic milestone in the deepening of Armenia-EU relations. It reflects the significant achievements of recent years and the strategic importance of our partnership delivering tangible results for our citizens and businesses.

The EU reaffirms its unwavering commitment to further strengthen relations with Armenia and support Armenia’s sovereignty, resilience and comprehensive reform agenda based on democracy, human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, as well as long-term development, bringing Armenia and the Armenian people closer to the European Union.

The EU also encourages Armenia’s willingness to intensify bilateral partnership through sectoral integration and approximation to EU legislation.

2. The EU recognizes the European aspirations of the Armenian people, which are rooted in 2025. in March with the adoption of the law on “Starting the process of accession of the Republic of Armenia to the European Union”, which expresses the country’s intention to move towards the EU.

3. We reaffirm that the future of Armenia must be decided in a free and democratic way by its citizens.

4. We acknowledge Armenia’s commitment to building a deep and sustainable democracy, as outlined in the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement and the Armenia-EU Strategic Partnership Agenda. These documents set an ambitious political framework to guide our cooperation in the coming years. In this context, it is essential to emphasize the role of civil society in monitoring the implementation of bilateral commitments.

5. We welcome the 8th Summit of the European Political Community, which was successfully held in Yerevan in 2026. on May 4.

6. Armenia and the EU are bound by common political values ​​and commitment to the international order based on international law, the UN Charter and rules. We reaffirm the fundamental principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. The deepening of our bilateral relations is a contribution to peace, stability and prosperity in the South Caucasus and beyond.

7. In this regard, we highly appreciate the efforts aimed at further institutionalizing peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan and guaranteeing the signing and ratification of the peace agreement. We also highly appreciate 2025. the results of the Washington summit on August 8 and the subsequent steps towards the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

In addition, the EU also fully supports the normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey and the inclusive reopening of all regional communications, based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity of the countries of the region, as well as the indivisibility and reciprocity of borders. We highly appreciate the contribution of the EU mission to Armenia in promoting peace and stability in the South Caucasus.

8. Regarding Ukraine, the parties have expressed concern about the ongoing war, which continues to cause immense human suffering and have global consequences. We support all efforts to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, based on the UN Charter and the principles of international law. The EU reiterated its principled position on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and reaffirmed its support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

9. We discussed the latest developments in the Middle East and their ripple effects around the world. We reiterated our call for de-escalation and restraint, protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and full respect for international law by all. Only dialogue and diplomacy can lead to de-escalation of tensions and restore peace and stability to the Middle East, in full respect of the UN Charter and international law.

10. The €270 million “Resilience and Growth Program” continues to advance Armenia’s socio-economic reform agenda, strengthen sectoral cooperation and promote investments in the energy, transport and private sectors. In order to further support the country’s reform agenda and closer approximation to the EU, 2027 may be considered. possible perspectives of future financial support.

11. Under the “Global Gateways” strategy, EU investments in Armenia are expected to reach 2.5 billion euros. Armenia and the EU are committed to promoting inclusive growth and enhanced connectivity based on mutually beneficial cooperation.

12. We welcome the Armenia-EU Connectivity Partnership and highlight the strategic importance of its three branches: transport, energy and digital, as well as people-to-people initiatives that strengthen mutual understanding, resilience of societies and links with European networks of ideas, talent and investment to further develop the Armenia-EU partnership agenda.

In this context and within the framework of the EU interregional connectivity agenda, the EU welcomes Armenia’s initiatives aimed at improving inclusive regional connectivity based on the principles of sovereignty, jurisdiction, equality and reciprocity, and reaffirms its support for the “Crossroads for Peace” initiative.

This shared vision contributes to the promotion of peace, stability and connectivity in the Black Sea, South Caucasus and Central Asia while strengthening people-to-people ties. In this regard, progress in the implementation of the Trump Road to International Peace and Prosperity (TRIP) is seen as key, contributing to sustainable, secure and inclusive regional connectivity.

13. The Call for Expressions of Interest for EU/EEA companies to invest in Armenia complements the Connectivity Partnership by mobilizing private sector investment and creating mutually beneficial opportunities, including enhanced market access for EU/EEA companies, and supporting sustainable and resilient economic growth in Armenia.

14. The RA-EU high-level connectivity dialogue will provide a platform for coordinated interaction in the transport, energy and digital sectors, strengthening strategic engagement.

15. We welcome the launch of the RA-EU high-level transport dialogue, which reaffirms the strategic importance of strengthening cooperation in the transport sector in order to expand safe, efficient and sustainable transport links between Armenia and the EU. We also recognize how an expanded trans-European transport network can support Armenia’s closer connectivity with European markets and promote more integrated and diverse regional transport links.

16. The EU welcomes Armenia’s efforts to increase energy security, diversification, stability and resilience. We recognize the strategic value of regional energy connectivity as a driver of growth, resilience, stability and energy security and the potential of regional landmark initiatives of mutual interest, such as the prospects of including Armenia in the Black Sea Undersea Cable.

17. In accordance with the “First Global Study” adopted at the 28th UN Climate Change Conference, we reaffirm our determination to follow through on the Paris Agreement. The EU encourages continuous reform under EU energy and climate policies, advancing the fight against the global triple crisis of biodiversity loss, pollution and climate change. The EU reaffirms its readiness to support Armenia’s energy transition and integration into the European energy markets.

The EU welcomes Armenia’s intention to join the Global Energy Transition Forum and the Global Electrification Campaign, which demonstrates Armenia’s commitment to advancing the energy transition. The EU, among other things, recognizes the need to strengthen Armenia’s electricity grid, expand storage capacity and promote regional integration.

18. We reaffirm our commitment to ongoing cooperation on nuclear security. Armenia welcomes EU support in the development of the Road Map 5 for the decommissioning of the Armenian nuclear power plant, according to Armenia, by 2040. of the energy strategy and the joint goals defined by the GCC.

19. We will work together to maximize the use of the significant unrealized potential of cooperation in the digital sphere. We will explore the technical compatibility of relevant trust services frameworks with the aim of moving towards mutual recognition of electronic signatures to enhance digital cooperation and cross-border transactions.

20. The EU welcomes Armenia’s intention to join the Chips Joint Undertaking, which will facilitate wider cooperation in research and technological development and the exchange of skilled labour, enhance technological innovation and contribute to the EU’s leadership in semiconductor technology.

21. We will explore cooperation opportunities in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) under the EU Artificial Intelligence Act. This cooperation will support Armenia’s integration into the EU digital single market, guaranteeing the ethical and transparent development of AI technologies.

22. The EU welcomes Armenia’s interest in joining the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking, which will promote the expansion of scientific cooperation, technological innovation and contribute to the EU’s leading role in leading computing technologies.

23. We welcome 2024. the significant progress made in the framework of the launched Visa Liberalization Dialogue, which will expand mobility, promote people-to-people contacts and strengthen economic ties between the European Union and Armenia. We emphasize the effective implementation of the Visa Liberalization Action Plan and its benchmarks, and welcome the effective implementation of the EU-Armenia Visa Facilitation and Readmission Agreements.

24. We support the strengthening of cooperation with Armenia and Europol, Eurojust, Frontex and other EU agencies, as well as within the framework of the European multi-sectoral platform against criminal threats, and we are committed to further expanding our cooperation in the fields of law enforcement, border 6 management, migration management, including combating irregular migration, and justice.

25. We welcome the significant progress made in the negotiations of the working arrangement between Armenia and Frontex, with the initialization of the new text by the two negotiators. We highly appreciate the completion of the negotiations on the working agreement on cooperation between the General Prosecutor’s Office of Armenia and the European Prosecutor’s Office.

26. We will use the existing potential to better respond to common challenges and intensify cooperation in strengthening Armenia’s resilience. To this end, the EU and Armenia are committed to further developing, deepening and strengthening cooperation and dialogue on a range of security and defense issues, taking advantage of existing frameworks and exploring new ways of cooperation, as well as taking into account that security covers a wider range of closely related directions.

27. We appreciate the growing cooperation between the EU and Armenia to strengthen Armenia’s democratic resilience, including countering hybrid threats and external information manipulation and interference, as well as attempts to undermine trust in democratic institutions. The deployment of the EU hybrid rapid response team has made an important contribution to bilateral cooperation in this direction.

28. The establishment of an EU Partnership Mission in Armenia will further strengthen Armenia’s democratic resilience and crisis management capacity by providing advice and support to relevant institutions in Armenia.

29. We welcome two non-lethal support of €30 million to Armenia under the European Instrument for Peace, aimed at strengthening Armenia’s resilience and promoting the interoperability of armed forces for possible future participation in international missions and operations, including those conducted by the EU.

30. The EU welcomes Armenia’s interest in strengthening cooperation with the European Security and Defense College, with the aim of making relevant military and civilian educational institutions in Armenia partners of the College’s associated network.

31. In the framework of security and defense cooperation, we will promote the exchange of ideas, multilateral discussions on cyber security and resilience, preparedness and response to cyber incidents and attacks, strengthening cyber security and enhancing cyber defense.

32. We welcome the start of negotiations on the “Information Security” agreement on the exchange of confidential information and are committed to completing the negotiations on the latter as soon as possible.

33. We welcome the entry into force of the agreement defining the scope of Armenia’s participation in EU crisis management operations. In this context, we appreciate Armenia’s interest in participating in EU missions and activities. We also welcome Armenia’s increasing alignment with the EU’s common foreign and security policy.

34. We welcome the development and strengthening of cooperation on natural and man-made disasters with the signing of an administrative agreement on cooperation in the field of civil protection, which will facilitate a more effective exchange of information, experience and experts.

35. We are committed to continuing our close cooperation in preventing and disrupting the circumvention of EU sanctions. We will strengthen joint efforts to monitor, restrict, and control the trade and re-export of dual-use items and sensitive wartime items.

36. We welcome progress in financial and economic integration between Armenia and the EU, including possible steps to promote secure, transparent and efficient payments and financial cooperation in line with European standards.

37. The EU continues to be Armenia’s primary trading partner and investor, supporting sustainable growth, job creation and economic diversification; The Comprehensive and Extended Partnership Agreement 8 plays a central role in strengthening this partnership. We reaffirm our commitment to work together to increase and facilitate the diversification of Armenia’s export structure, including the export of new products to the EU market.

38. The EU takes note of Armenia’s desire to move closer to conformity assessment procedures.

39. We welcome the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Intellectual Property Rights between the Intellectual Property Office of Armenia and the EU Intellectual Property Office, which reflects a joint commitment to protect and promote innovation and strengthen a reliable legal framework for intellectual property in Armenia.

40. The EU welcomes Armenia’s interest in joining the EU “Customs” and “Fiscalis” programs to expand cooperation in customs and fiscal matters, moving closer to EU practice and legislation.

41. We reaffirm our strong commitment to promote reforms in areas essential to building a resilient and inclusive society, such as social policy, education, research and innovation, youth, sport, culture and health, for example through the Erasmus international direction, as well as Horizon Europe and Creative Europe.

The EU will support Armenia’s intention to participate in the media component of “Creative Europe”, which will contribute to the development of the audiovisual sector and expand cultural exchanges with the EU.

We welcome the increasing participation of Armenian youth in EU programs and activities, including the “EU for Youth” program, and look forward to their continued involvement.

42. We welcome Armenia’s accession to the Brussels Declaration on the Principles and Values ​​of International Cooperation in Research and Innovation.

43. The EU welcomes Armenia’s interest in the “EU for Health” program (2021-2027).

44. We are ready to explore further steps to advance the Armenia-EU partnership for the benefit of our peoples and enterprises.

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During the “Yerevan Dialogue-2026” international conference, French President Emmanuel Macron considered it brave that Armenia found ways to establish peace with Azerbaijan, recalling the 2022 Prague and 2025 Washington meetings and the adopted documents.

After that, the head of France considered the moments related to Armenia more comprehensively as the moment of the South Caucasus.

“The South Caucasus should not be a place of competition between empires, which consider the region as a trophy, a prize, pitting local nations against each other. The South Caucasus can regain its central position between Europe, Asia and the Middle East. And in the South Caucasus, there are opportunities to be a crossroads in this region, to be that middle corridor,” Macron said, continuing that this means the opening of borders, particularly the Armenian-Turkish one.

In this context, the French president considered it necessary to emphasize that for a long time many people thought that the fate of Armenia was possible only under the patronage of Russia.

“The war of 2020, what you experienced, the tragedy that many families went through, saw that it was not the patronage that many imagined. We saw that Russia left Armenia, we understood that those dreams are not reality. Everyone seems to have learned that he should be a patron in the region, because the South Caucasus always seems to have to be protected by someone,” Macron emphasized, adding that the peace path chosen by Armenia is realistic and that Armenia has a European title, a European destiny.

Details in the video

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Doctor of political sciences, professor, energy security specialist Vahe Davtyan he writes on his Facebook page.

“The infrastructural dimension of the Armenia-EU joint declaration

In the joint declaration adopted as a result of the Armenia-EU summit, the sections related to critical infrastructures are at first glance presented as an agenda of development, modernization and “connectivity”. However, a more serious problem is hidden in the depths of these formulations: the gradual restructuring of infrastructural control.

Energy

The sections on energy emphasize diversification, energy transition, strengthening networks and integration with European markets. But the key issue here is not the development of energy, but which, or rather, by whose logic this development will be carried out. Diversification is presented as a reduction of dependence, but in reality it may turn into a direct shift of dependence towards European regulatory and technological systems.

The most sensitive point is nuclear energy. EU support for the road map for the decommissioning of the Armenian NPP is formulated as technical and security cooperation, but in fact it records a process whose end result is obvious: the closure of the operating nuclear unit. The question arises: what will it be replaced with? There is no clear answer about it in the declaration. This means that the basic, stable power of Armenia’s energy system is put into question, without an adequate alternative. Remember the Ignalin NPP, which was preserved after Lithuania’s accession to the EU without the creation of new capacity. As a result, Lithuania still has to import expensive electricity from Scandinavia.

And most importantly, the declaration talks about the prospect of Armenia joining the Black Sea electric cable. The latter is a joint EU-Azerbaijan initiative, which is designed to export Azerbaijani “green” energy to the European market. It is obvious that without stable generators, Armenia simply has nothing to do in that communication. It is also obvious that under the existing conditions, Baku will prevent Armenia’s connection to that cable, which is the result of Azerbaijani lobbying, in every possible way.

Transport:

The same logic applies to the transport sector of the declaration. There is talk of integration into the Trans-European networks, opening of communications, “Crossroads of Peace”. However, here it is also important to understand that Armenia is considered not so much as an entity forming an independent transport policy, but as a corridor.

In this context, the EU’s “Global Gateways” strategy is of particular importance, within the framework of which the planned investments in Armenia are estimated at up to 2.5 billion euros. This is presented as a stimulus for connectivity and infrastructural development, but in reality it is directly related to the formation of the Middle Corridor and the restructuring of Europe-Caucasus-Asia logistics chains.

The TRIPP program mentioned in the same logic, which is presented as an initiative promoting regional connectivity, actually reveals another layer. It actually strengthens the role of the US in the Middle Corridor, controlling Europe’s connections with Asia.

An obvious contradiction arises here. on the one hand, there is talk of European integration, on the other hand, the same corridor architecture is also being formed under US strategic interests, the purpose of which in this case is to actually take control of the Europe-Asia logistics connection and its possible configurations.

Under these conditions, Armenia acts not as a co-author of these processes, but as an area of ​​their application, as a tool in the logistics system designed by external centers.

No, the Armenia-EU joint declaration is not about development. It is the political map of the phased dismantling of Armenia’s infrastructural sovereignty.”

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You talked about Russian interference before the elections to be held in Armenia, you support the Prime Minister a month before the elections, isn’t your support also foreign interference? In Yerevan, a French journalist asked a question to French President Emmanuel Macron.

“I undertake the obligation to support this partner whom I have trusted for 8 years, as I did in the case of (President of Moldova-Ed.) Maya Sandu. I take this decision to defend Europe, Europe’s decisions by coming here, but it is not the same as those interactions, that information manipulation through the media, spreading false information, trying to destabilize the rule of law. This is the difference,” Macron said in response.

According to him, we cannot talk about intervention in this matter. “Here is an open-faced intervention, and on the contrary, there are other interventions by foreign agents, at the behest of Moscow, who are trying to falsify democracy. I give my arguments, I participate in democracy as the president of France, I do not fake. That’s the difference, it’s important to remember that.”

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According to the results of the Armenia-EU summit Armenia-EU joint declaration was adopted, in which, among other things, it is stated:

“The EU recognizes the European aspirations of the Armenian people, which are rooted in 2025. in March, with the adoption of the law on “Starting the process of accession of the Republic of Armenia to the European Union”, which expresses the country’s intention to move towards the EU.

168․am-the political scientist, analyst from Stepan Danielyan asked if he believes in the European perspective of Armenia, and in which case it will be realistic?

“Even many Europeans do not believe in the European perspective. Here, perhaps, it is necessary to quote the words of the “beloved of the Armenian people” Macron, who stated months ago that he is not sure whether the European Union will exist as such or not in 5 years. In other words, if the president of one of the major countries has that opinion, there is no question about us either,” Stepan Danielyan said in response.

In his observations about the “real” goals of this summit, the analyst made several emphases, emphasizing both its internal Armenian and geopolitical significance.

“The purpose of this entire event was to provide pre-election support to the current government. It also had geopolitical significance. they show that they have entered the formal territory of Russia. This was a demonstration, a demonstration to the President of Russia that geopolitical changes can already take place here. Another consideration is that competition between the European Union and the United States also exists in different regions of the world, including the South Caucasus, whose role in terms of transportation is increasing,” he explained.

Stepan Danielyan responded to the correction: Has Russia, in fact, washed its hands of the region?

“Russia has definitely not washed its hands from the region, Russia’s situation in terms of war is quite problematic, and Russia is trying its best to find new enemies.

or not to get new complications, to avoid them, but he will avoid them until the situation is already unacceptable for him.

I think that formally, Armenia has not yet crossed those red lines, because the important thing for the current prime minister is these pre-election dividends and collecting points from those shows, but real, concrete steps against Russia have not been taken yet. He did not leave the CSTO, he did not leave the EAEU, he did not demand that the Russian troops leave Armenia. Those are the important points, the red lines for Russia, which the current regime has not yet crossed.”

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These days in Yerevan, French President Emmanuel Macron admitted that his country and he are the key actors of the 2022 Prague process, which de facto recognized Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan.

In particular, during the state dinner at the presidential residence on the evening of May 4, the head of France said the following.

“Since the fall of 2022, I have not forgotten anything from that night. Only two years had passed since the beginning of the war. The situation was very volatile and you showed great courage because you were making a decision for your country. But I want to say something simple։

First of all, in such moments, I believe, France has fulfilled its duty. It is true that it was strange for many people in Europe or elsewhere why we unconditionally support Armenia. By the way, to calm you down, I should mention that after the meeting that the Prime Minister referred to, I almost stayed out of all subsequent meetings until the conflict with President Aliyev was settled.”

Of course, this is not the first time that Macron expresses this idea. On one occasion, in an interview given to one of the French media, he mentioned that Artsakh is a territory that has not been recognized by the international community.

“Nagorno-Karabakh is an area in the heart of Azerbaijan, and he started a terrible war with many casualties, terrible scenes, and occupied that area in September. And launched several attacks all along the border, presumably to build a corridor from one end of his territory to the other. And what can we do? We clearly condemned it, I did it immediately, I called President Aliyev and invited the leaders of the two countries to Paris. France is one of the mediating powers. After that I invited the leaders of both countries to Prague. Within a few hours, we met with the President of the European Council and the leaders of the two countries. and we decided that both sides are committed to recognizing the 1991 borders.” he elaborated.

Nikol Pashinyan has not once expressed his gratitude for this mission of Macron these days.

“The architecture of peace is based on the Alma Ata Declaration, the recognition of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and inviolability of the borders of Armenia and Azerbaijan. The role of French President Emmanuel Macron is key in this architecture,” Nikol Pashinyan emphasized during a joint statement with Macron on May 5.

It is another matter that the Armenian figures who are in good relations with the French president may not agree with the claims regarding Macron’s key or important role in the mentioned process. Of course, the third country always defends what your country decides, in this case, Armenia decided to fulfill the demands of Azerbaijan and received the support of France, but the problem is that the head of the former IC co-chairing country considers the Prague decision of the RA authorities as exemplary.

Why are we writing this? During the days of the war and after it, various circles unequivocally claimed that France offered military aid to Armenia, but Armenia or Nikol Pashinyan refused. In particular, during the NDB rally years ago, Vladimir Poghosyan, the adviser of the former head of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia, Onik Gasparyan, presented himself, in particular, had announced.

“We know that the 44-day war of 2020 was planned together with Turkey. Since 2012, Russia has broken the military balance. I can’t believe that Aliyev has become such a stubborn boy that he can block the road on his own and say: I am doing a blockade. This is a joint work with the Russian Federation. They especially weaken our army, all the roads were closed during the war. None of the money we contributed, which was supposed to bring weapons and ammunition from Russia, entered Armenia. It was also a thought process. During the war, I negotiated with the representatives of France, with the ambassador, France offered us military assistance, our government refused.”

First of all, does Vladimir Poghosyan, who worked at the General Directorate of Security during the war, or perhaps gave advice to Onik Gasparyan, the head of the General Directorate at that time, does he have justifications that Russia was one of the planners of the war, did Onik Gasparyan have such information and did he speak about this in the Investigative Commission? 

Besides that, by what right did he negotiate with the French side, if such a thing happened, can he bring clear evidence of what military aid France offered to Armenia during the war, which was rejected, when, by and large, there was no official confirmation from either Armenia or France.

And these days, the statements of the leaders of Armenia and France mentioned above prove exactly this: nothing like that happened.

But there are official facts, which is earlier 168.amthe stated: noting that before the 44-day war, warnings were made in the Ministry of Defense about Turkish threats to the French side and the possibility of Turkey’s direct participation in the war. In particular, after the July battles and before the 44-day war, in the Ministry of Defense of the RA, on the French side has been warned about the possible consequences and goals of Turkish-Azerbaijani joint military exercises.

In other words, at that time Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan noted that “from the military point of view, their tactical nature is not a concern, but it is important so that the military exercises do not turn into provocative actions in the immediate vicinity of the borders of the Republic of Armenia, defense structures and other infrastructures.”

of the 44-day war days more several times to the French ambassador at the time, Jonathan Lacotte had met Former RA Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan, during which he presented the facts of the involvement of foreign servicemen and mercenaries, the consequences of the targeting of peaceful settlements by the enemy, it was noted that the maintenance of the ceasefire can be ensured only in the case of the use of international verification measures.

2020 Pashinyan, in turn, several times during the war had a phone conversation With Macron, including war on the first day. 

And in June 2023, Pashinyan in the Investigative Commission had mentioned.

“On October 17, French President Emmanuel Macron took the initiative, who informed me that the President of Azerbaijan agrees to establish a cease-fire without preconditions from the midnight of October 18. Naturally, I agreed to this, and within a few hours, the following statement was agreed between France, Armenia and Azerbaijan, which was published late in the evening of October 17. “The Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan decided to establish a humanitarian ceasefire on October 18, at 00:00 local time.

This decision was made in continuation of the statement made by the presidents of the French Republic, the Russian Federation and the United States of America representing the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries on October 1, the statement made by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs on October 5 and in accordance with the joint statement adopted in Moscow on October 10.

Regarding this announcement, even before publication, we had consultations with our Russian partners, who welcomed the initiative: Contrary to the announcement, however, no ceasefire was established on October 18 either, although all day long we have been making diplomatic efforts to stop the war. In other words, after this announcement, there was no pause at all.”

It is believed that France either did not try or failed to first prevent the war and then its terrible course and outcome. Of course, we do not blame France for the defeat in the war, and we remember very well that Russia is Armenia’s strategic ally, that Armenia was also the guarantor of Artsakh’s security. We also remember very well that Nikol Pashinyan was satisfied with the support shown by Russia during the war, that he had about 9 telephone conversations with Russian President Putin, that during the war Pashinyan wanted the Russian peacekeepers to be stationed in Artsakh, and after the war, Putin said about Pashinyan: “он не предатель”. We remember everything very well, and besides all this, also the fact that France was ready to sign an arms supply agreement with Armenia in October 2023, after the depopulation of Artsakh.

In this context, let us remind that in 2024 In the spring, the former Minister of Defense of the Republic of Armenia Davit Tonoyan to “Pastinfo” had said.

“The lack of military-technical cooperation between the Republic of Armenia and France was not caused by the lack of interest of the Republic of Armenia, and the above-mentioned change after the actual depopulation of Artsakh, that is, the establishment of cooperation, is explainable. I hope that in the current geopolitical conditions, the military-technical cooperation with France will be long-term and continuous, and in terms of security risks, it is calculated and predicted.”

Continuity is essentially ensured. And in addition to the weapons supplied to Armenia by France, on May 5, a contract for the supply of equipment was signed between the RA Ministry of Defense and the French Sofema Group in Yerevan. In addition, the RA Defense Department has signed a contract for the supply of transport helicopters with the Airbus helicopters company.

No one denies that France Military aid to Armenia is conditional with the historical basis of Armenian-French relations and the fact of age-old friendship, which France never ignores. But, of course, as they say, nothing happens just like that in politics, there are also other motives, which is also in the logic of the “political campaign” against the Russian Federation or pushing it out of the region. This, if we also take into account some of the statements made by French President Emmanuel Macron during the “Yerevan Dialogue-2026” international conference.

First, he announced. “The South Caucasus should not be a place of competition between empires, which consider the region as a trophy, a prize, pitting local nations against each other. The South Caucasus can regain its central position between Europe, Asia and the Middle East. And in the South Caucasus there are opportunities to be a crossroads in this region, to be that middle corridor.”

Then, the French president considered it necessary to emphasize that for a long time many people thought that the fate of Armenia was possible only under the patronage of Russia, noting:

“The war of 2020, what you experienced, the tragedy that many families went through, saw that it was not the patronage that many imagined. We saw that Russia left Armenia, we understood that those dreams are not reality. Everyone seems to have learned that he must be a patron in the region, because the South Caucasus always seems to have to be protected by someone.”

And before this, Nikol Pashinyan did not oppose these claims of Macron, not far in the past during the NA-Government question-and-answer session after his visit to Moscow and Putin’s meeting. had announced. 

“We had very long and detailed discussions and we have acquired such strategic agreements to deepen cooperation in various fields, the expression of which we will see in the near future.”

Later, at a briefing with journalists, when Nikol Pashinyan was asked whether there are military-technical agreements with Russia, whether your statement means that Armenia has an agreement to buy weapons from Russia, he answered:

“We have military-technical cooperation with Russia, we had it, which at some point was either interrupted or decreased, and yes, we have an agreement to implement the previously reached agreements.”

Later, in response to our written request, the RA Ministry of Defense did not deny the plans to purchase weapons from Russia.

It turns out, do not the de jure established strategic relations with France prevent Armenia from having strategic agreements with Russia as well, or will the wish of Macron and Europe be fulfilled at some point, and instead of Russia, Europe will help Armenia to ensure border security?

Note that press publications According to Macron, he stated that: «There are still 4,000 Russian soldiers and more than 1,000 border guards on the territory of Armenia, so Europe should help this country to ensure the security of its own borders more independently.”

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