Armenia's Changing Foreign Policy and Security Relationships

97. Relations With Russia

Russia has played a major role in Armenia's security and economic relationships since independence.

Armenia joined the Collective Security Treaty framework in the early 1990s and later participated in the Collective Security Treaty Organization.

Russia maintained a military presence in Armenia, including the military base at Gyumri.

Russian border guards also operated in certain areas under bilateral arrangements.

For many years, Armenian governments viewed Russia as their principal security partner.

However, the 2020 war, the 2022 border clashes, and the events of 2023 created deep dissatisfaction within Armenia regarding the effectiveness of Russian security guarantees.

Armenian leaders increasingly questioned the country's dependence on Moscow.

The deterioration of confidence in Russia contributed to efforts to diversify Armenia's international relationships.

98. Relations With the European Union

Armenia has developed extensive political and economic relationships with the European Union.

The Armenia–EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement was signed in November 2017 and entered fully into force in March 2021.

The agreement established a framework for cooperation in governance, trade-related regulation, public administration, justice, economic development, and other areas.

Following the security crises of the early 2020s, Armenia sought closer cooperation with European institutions.

The European Union also deployed a civilian monitoring mission on the Armenian side of the border with Azerbaijan.

The mission's purpose included observing conditions on the ground and contributing to confidence-building.

99. Relations With the United States

The United States recognized Armenian independence in December 1991.

Since then, bilateral relations have included diplomatic engagement, development assistance, military cooperation, economic programs, and support for democratic institutions.

The Armenian-American community has played an important role in public diplomacy and cultural connections between the two countries.

U.S. involvement in negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan increased during the 2020s.

The Washington summit of August 2025 became an important milestone in the peace process.

100. Relations With Iran

Iran shares a border with southern Armenia.

The relationship has considerable strategic importance because Armenia's borders with Turkey and Azerbaijan have remained closed for much of its post-independence history.

Iran provides Armenia with an additional route for trade and regional connectivity.

The two countries have cooperated in energy, transportation, and commerce.

Iran has also expressed opposition to regional arrangements that it believes could alter internationally recognized borders or threaten its access to Armenia.

101. Relations With Georgia

Georgia provides Armenia with an essential connection to the Black Sea and international transportation networks.

Armenia relies heavily on routes through Georgia for trade and transit.

The two countries maintain diplomatic and economic relationships despite differences in their broader geopolitical alignments.

Armenia's relationship with Georgia is therefore important to its economic security and regional integration.

102. Relations With Turkey

Armenia and Turkey have experienced decades of strained relations.

The legacy of the Armenian Genocide remains a central historical and political issue.

Turkey closed its land border with Armenia in 1993 amid the First Nagorno-Karabakh War.

Diplomatic normalization efforts have occurred at different times, including the 2009 Zurich Protocols.

Those protocols were not implemented.

Subsequent efforts have sought to restore contacts, improve transportation links, and explore the possibility of opening the border.

The normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations remains closely connected to regional diplomacy and the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process.