Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan, during a press briefing today, addressed the newly unveiled 2026–2031 government program, regional geopolitics, border delimitation with Azerbaijan, and relations with the Armenian Apostolic Church. 

Pashinyan said the program is grounded on his administration’s “Real Armenia” ideology, the ruling Civil Contract party’s pre-election platform, and Armenia’s economic and institutional transformation doctrine. Its priorities include peace, state continuity, security, human capital, economic transformation, infrastructure, democracy, and effective governance.

The program’s key 2026–2031 goal is to consolidate peace with Azerbaijan and sustain security by strengthening regional ties and broader partnerships. It also calls for unblocking Armenia through the “Crossroads of Peace” initiative and the TRIPP project.

Multi-Vector Shift: Pashinyan stated that Armenia is moving away from a one-sided foreign policy toward a full multi-vector approach, balancing ties with the European Union, the United States, Georgia, India, China, and Iran.

US-Iran Tensions: Pashinyan expressed deep concern over escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran, noting that Yerevan is in close contact with both capitals to mitigate impacts. 

EAEU and EU Integration: He denied that Moscow or the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) had issued ultimatums regarding Armenia's European integration, clarifying that holding a referendum on European alignment was originally an Armenian initiative.

Enclaves and Maps: Discussing border delimitation, Pashinyan referenced Soviet-era maps tied to the Alma-Ata Declaration, noting that Artsvashen is recognized as Armenian territory while certain Azerbaijani exclaves (referring to Kyarki/Tigranashen) are not part of Armenia's 29,743 square kilometer calculation. He ruled out military solutions for unresolved border segments. 

Defense of Past Decisions: Pashinyan defended his past decisions regarding Karabakh, asserting they saved Armenia from a "trap of non-existence".

Fourth Republic Vision: He emphasized that the 2026–2031 government program is built on the ideological concepts of "Real Armenia" and the "Fourth Republic," anchored in a logic of peace rather than conflict. 

Armenian Apostolic Church: Pashinyan announced that the government is preparing a detailed report concerning spiritual security and alleged efforts by external forces and Catholicos Karekin II to remove the church from its canonical field and pull it into hybrid conflicts.