Armenian government approves five-year program

The Armenian government’s program for the next five years has been adopted. The authorities intend to formally consolidate peace with Azerbaijan, improve relations with Turkey, develop strategic ties with the EU, the US, Iran, and Georgia, and pursue multilateral relations with Russia.

The document includes a separate chapter titled “Spiritual Security,” which presents the “renewal” of the Armenian Apostolic Church as a “vital necessity”, a provision that has drawn numerous critical reactions.

On cooperation with the US, the program envisions the implementation of the TRIPP project, at minimum in the areas of railways and energy infrastructure, along with the development of broader partnership.

Particular emphasis is placed on deepening strategic cooperation with France and bringing it to a qualitatively new level. The program also refers to the transformation and deepening of a multi-sector, mutually beneficial partnership with Russia under the new global conditions, though this partnership is not classified as strategic. Regarding the EAEU, the program stresses the need for the effective implementation of the free movement of capital, goods, services, and labor.