Armenia's Foreign Policy in 2016

• 01.07.2017, 19:02
•  World,  Armenia,  Info

In 2016 the main directions of Armenia's foreign policy were Russia, the US and Europe. This is due to not only the traditional close relations with these countries, but also the April war and the diplomatic steps taken to bring the process back to the negotiation table. At the same time it should be noted that beside the Karabakh conflict, bilateral relations also were central in relations with these countries.

In 2016 Armenia continued to develop dynamic strategic partnership with the Russian Federation. President Serzh Sargsyan visited Russia four times, where high-level talks were held . There were also regular meetings between the foreign ministers of Armenia and Russia and mainly the theme of these meetings was the April escalating of the Karabakh conflict.

There is dynamic developments also in relations of Armenia and the US. In 2016 the President 2 times left for the USA, where he met with the US Vice President Joseph Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry. Because of the escalation of the Karabakh conflict this year's meetings and telephone conversations with the US Secretary of State were relatively frequent as with all Foreign Ministers of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing countries. At the same time, accompanied by a number of American officials, including Chief Assistant of the US President Charles Kapchane, Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Brigitte Brink, visited Armenia to discuss bilateral relations with the leadership of the country.

It should be noted that from the European countries most attention was paid to France (OSCE Minsk Group co-chair country) and Germany (in 2016 chaired the OSCE). Thus, in 2016 the President left for an official visit to Germany, where he met with German President Joachim Gauck, Chancellor Angela Merkel, Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the head of the German Bundestag Norbert Lammert. Serzh Sargsyan also met with Foreign Minister Steinmeier in Yerevan. For his part, Minister Nalbandian met with the German government special representative of the German presidency in OSCE,  Vice President of the Bundestag , Foreign Minister, Chief Adviser of the Chancellor and other senior officials. In 2016 the Foreign Minister met with French Secretary of State for Development and Francophone Affairs, with the French Foreign Minister, the French Secretary of State for European Affairs and other senior officials. Serzh Sargsyan, among French top officials, also met with French President Francois Hollande.

2016 has also been quite active in terms of strengthening bilateral relations with other European countries. President Serzh Sargsyan left for official visit to Greece, Cyprus. With a state visit, the President of the Czech Republic arrived in Armenia. In the passing year Pope Francis also visited Armenia with the pastoral visit. In 2016 FM left for official visit to Bulgaria, Montenegro and Finland. The Minister also had meetings with the foreign ministers of Czech Republic, Sweden, Slovakia, Greece, Switzerland, Finland, Austria, Latvia, Italy, Iceland, Kosovo, Portugal, Luxembourg, Serbia. There were meetings with other high-ranking officials from various European countries both in presidential and ministerial levels.

In 2016 Armenia continued to develop dynamic relations with neighboring Iran and Georgia, which is evidenced by the high level meetings. Thus, in the last year Armenian foreign minister left for an official visit to Iran, where he met with the leadership of the Islamic Republic. Besides, bilateral relations and regional developments were discussed during the telephone conversations of the presidents of Armenia and Iran. It should be noted that this year visa free regime was declared between the two countries.

Edward Nalbandian also left for an official visit to Georgia. The Georgian Foreign Minister also discussed the Armenian-Georgian relations in Yerevan with the Foreign Minister and the President. Besides, Serzh Sargsyan met with Georgian Prime Minister in the border of the two countries.

Armenia has also taken steps to develop relations with Asian countries. Thus, Nalbandian left for an official visit to Indonesia, where he held a high-level negotiations. In 2016 Nalbandian had meetings with Japan's Foreign Ministry special envoy for South Caucasus, special envoy of the Indian government, State Minister of Trade and Industry of Singapore, with Singapore and Chinese Foreign Ministers. In 2016 Armenia and Macau signed an agreement on lifting the visa requirement. Armenia has become a dialogue partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. In 2016 Central Asian countries also were central in the political agenda of Armenia. Thus, Minister Nalbandian had meetings with FMs of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan and the President discussed with bilateral relations the President of Tajikistan.

Armenia continued to strengthen its traditional ties with Middle Eastern countries. Particularly, Edward Nalbandyan met with the foreign ministers of Qatar, Jordan, Iraq, Syria and the Lebanese Minister of Culture.  President Serzh Sargsyan left for a official visit to the United Arab Emirates, where were held high-level talks.

In 2016 Armenia continued to develop its cooperation with Latin American countries. President Serzh Sargsyan left for a working visit to Brazil, where he held high-level talks. Edward Nalbandyan met with the foreign ministers of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Cuba and Honduras to discuss bilateral relations.

In the passing year the relations with the African countries have not been left out of the attention of Armenia, as well. Thus, in 2016 Armenia established diplomatic relations with Niger. Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian discussed bilateral relations with the foreign ministers of Mali, Congo, Togo, Madagascar, Morocco, Burundi, Cameroon and Ivory Coast.

Armenia has also been active in the integration process, in cooperation with international and regional organizations. Particularly, Armenia continued close cooperation with the European Union. In 2016 High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogerini visited Yerevan. At the same time Foreign Minister and President discussed Armenia-EU relations with Mogerini in the framework of other events. In this regard it should be noted that already the fifth round of talks on a new legal basis of Armenia-EU relations took place and according to the parties it is quite positive. In 2016 in Yerevan informal meeting of foreign ministers of the Eastern Partnership was held. In general, in 2016, Armenia actively participated in the work of the European institutions and clearly presented Yerevan's position. And the proof of these words is the failure of the controversial report entitled "Growth of the violence in Karabakh and other occupied territories of Azerbaijan" of the British MP Robert Walter in the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe. 

In 2016 Armenia was an active member of the United Nations, which is evidenced by the meetings with the Foreign Minister and President of the UN high-ranking officials. In 2016, the Armenian MF had meetings with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Deputy Secretary General,  the Executive Secretary of the UN Commission of the Asia-Pacific Economic and Social Affairs, the UN Human rights High Commissioner. In 2016, Armenia was included in the UN list of honor, became a member of UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee of Intangible Cultural Heritage. In 2016 Edward Nalbandian chaired a meeting of the UN General Assembly. In 2016 actively continued to develop cooperation with the International Organization of the Francophonie, which is evidenced by Minister Nalbandian's regular meetings with the Secretary General of the Organization. It should be noted that Armenia will host the Francophonie Summit in 2018.

It should also be recalled that this year Armenia chaired the Collective Security Treaty Organization. At the same time it should be noted that being a CSTO member, Armenia continued to strengthen cooperation with NATO. Armenia's Foreign Minister met with NATO high ranking officials and participated in the session of the North Atlantic Council on Armenia-NATO cooperation and President Serzh Sargsyan participated at the NATO summit in Warsaw.

Armenia also dynamically developed its cooperation in the framework of the CIS, the OSCE, Eurasian Economic Union.

It should be noted, that in 2016 Armenia took active steps to intensify international cooperation in the nuclear field. Thus, in 2016 President Serzh Sargsyan participated in the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington DC and Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian participated in the international nuclear security summit in Vienna. In 2016 Armenia joined the Paris agreement on reducing climate change.