On August 24-27, in the city of Kapan, Syunik region, the annual conference of the heads of Armenia’s diplomatic missions abroad took place.

Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan delivered opening remarks, emphasizing the particular significance of this year’s conference, held under the newly established conditions of peace - a new reality both for Armenia and the region.

President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan addressed the participants.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan also delivered a speech, followed by a detailed discussion with the participants. The Prime Minister answered questions of interest to the ambassadors.

The conference was also attended by other high-ranking government officials and members of the National Assembly.

During a separate discussion, Minister Mirzoyan touched upon the agreements reached during the meetings held on August 8 in Washington D.C.

Referring to the Armenia-Azerbaijan initialed agreement, Ararat Mirzoyan emphasized the importance of the established peace for Armenia and the region, presenting Armenia’s foreign policy vision in the current new reality, the newly created opportunities, and the work to be carried out for their implementation.

Minister Mirzoyan stressed that the consistent realization of the peace agenda in the region and ensuring a stable, secure, and prosperous environment for the citizens of Armenia are the primary goals of the Government of Armenia, including its diplomatic service.

Ararat Mirzoyan also addressed the opportunities arising from the unblocking of regional communications, the efforts aimed at ensuring Armenia’s effective involvement in the expanding network of international connectivity, and in this context the upcoming work towards the implementation of the Trilateral declaration signed in Washington D.C.

Indicating the achieved progress, views were exchanged on ongoing efforts for further development of partnerships, including of strategic nature, in various directions.

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The second day of the annual conference continued with thematic discussions led by the Deputy Foreign Ministers.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Vahan Kostanyan presented recent developments, achievements and efforts aimed at advancing partnerships and ongoing work in the directions under his coordination: American countries, Europe, neighboring countries, and the Middle East. 

The Deputy Minister briefed on the efforts underway towards the implementation of the memorandums signed with the United States aimed at strengthening bilateral strategic partnership. A detailed discussion was held on the initiatives to deepen Armenia–EU partnership and bilateral cooperation with EU member states and other European countries, as well as issues related to the European Political Community Summit to be held in Armenia next year.

The discussion also addressed issues related to the development of partnerships with Iran and Georgia.

In the context of developing cooperation with the countries of the Middle East, ideas were exchanged on expanding the scope of cooperation in priority areas for the Government of Armenia, strengthening the economic component, and promoting investment opportunities.  

The participants also exchanged views on regional developments.

Multilateral cooperation was discussed with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Robert Abisoghomonyan.

The ensuring of effective synergy between bilateral formats and cooperation on multilateral platforms was emphasized.

Deputy Foreign Minister Robert Abisoghomonyan presented the work being carried out to advance Armenia’s priorities on multilateral platforms and international organizations, as well as efforts aimed at implementing a new agenda in the current context.

Views were exchanged on prospects in various directions, new initiatives and the necessary steps for their implementation.

The discussion also touched upon Armenia’s vision, priorities, and ongoing preparations for hosting the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in 2026.

Issues of cooperation with the countries of the Eurasian region were discussed with Deputy Foreign Minister Mnatsakan Safaryan. Among other topics, the agenda between Armenia and Russia was touched upon.

The active political dialogue with the countries of the Asia-Pacific region, which has yielded tangible results in advancing strategic partnerships, was underscored. The sides exchanged views on the agendas of forthcoming engagements, particularly with China, Japan and India. Among other platforms, Armenia’s application for membership in the SCO was also touched upon.

For the more effective realization of the potential of unblocking regional infrastructures, new opportunities for cooperation with the countries of Central Asia and the Far East were discussed. In this context, the active dialogue with Kazakhstan was also touched upon.

Deputy Minister Safaryan stressed the importance of enhancing the economic diplomacy dimension, particularly in relations with the countries of Southeast Asia.

The sides exchanged views on current regional trends and on prospects for developing mutually beneficial and strategic partnerships.

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On the third day, the work of the Ambassadors’ Conference continued with a discussion with the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of Armenia, Davit Khudatyan. The Minister presented the efforts aimed at developing Armenia’s infrastructure network, including road construction and the introduction of new directions in the aviation sector.

As part of the Conference, a visit was organized for the MFA central apparatus and the heads of Armenia’s diplomatic missions abroad to several newly constructed infrastructure sites in Syunik. 

In particular, Minister Khudatyan briefed Armenian diplomats on the works underway on the southern section of the North-South transport corridor, including the construction of a new tunnel and bridges on the Agarak-Kajaran road segment.

At the Armenia-Iran border, the diplomats were introduced to the projects for the expansion of the border checkpoint and the construction of a second bridge.

During the Conference, the MFA central apparatus and the heads of Armenia’s diplomatic missions also visited the Vedi reservoir to familiarize themselves with the implementation process of one of Armenia’s strategic projects.

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Within the framework of the Ambassadors’ Conference, special attention was given to initiatives aimed at improving and modernizing the diplomatic service.

Secretary General of the MFA Davit Karapetyan presented a report on the activities undertaken since the previous Ambassadors’ Conference in 2024 and on the upcoming tasks.

Minister Mirzoyan touched upon the reforms already implemented and those planned with the aim of improving the diplomatic service. Among other initiatives, attention was given to the proposed amendments to the Law of the Republic of Armenia “On Diplomatic Service” and other regulations.

All photos from the Ambassadors’ Conference are available at the following link.