President Vahagn Khachaturyan attended the conference of heads of Armenia’s diplomatic missions abroad

President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturyan and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan attended the opening of the annual conference of the heads of Armenia’s diplomatic missions abroad, held in Kapan, Syunik region.

At the opening of the conference, the President of the Republic delivered a welcoming speech.

“Today we are living through a turning point for our region. The Armenian Government’s long-term, determined, and patient policy has finally led us to a stage that opens the door to opportunities for security, stability, and the future of Armenia, the Armenian people, and our region.

In the history of newly independent Armenia, I consider August 8 to be a great achievement of diplomacy, one that changes the entire picture of the region — shifting from the logic of war and militarization toward peace, economic development, and prosperity.

We must recognize that this achievement is the result of difficult choices, tireless diplomacy, and the collective will of our citizens. This does not mean the end of efforts, but rather the beginning of a new chapter that sets clearer tasks before each of us.
Our expectations are high, because the stakes are high — the security of our borders and the trust of our people. While showing cautious optimism and always prioritizing Armenia’s security and national interests, at the same time we must be open to constructive dialogue and regional cooperation.

Stable peace will reveal enormous economic potential for Armenia. New initiatives in trade, energy, and infrastructure can emerge before us, turning our region into a hub of cooperation.
In this era characterized by shifting geopolitical landscapes and rapid technological progress, our priorities must be addressed in line with contemporary challenges.
The situation in the region, as in the world, changes rapidly, and while implementing a policy of diversification in foreign affairs, it has become necessary to also review the priorities of our ambassadors abroad. These should primarily include promoting regional attractiveness, economic potential, and logistical/transit opportunities. In this regard, I emphasize the importance of comprehensively presenting the advantages of the “Crossroads of Peace” initiative during your meetings with foreign officials. This initiative is aimed at deepening regional economic and transport interconnectedness, creating strong ties between the Gulf, the Mediterranean, the Black and Caspian Seas, as well as with Central Asia.

Our representatives in international organizations should engage in more positive agendas, moving away from past conflict-related or military topics and instead focusing on economic development.
We must use diplomatic channels to promote joint economic projects, investment flows, business relations, and trade initiatives that will benefit the region, thereby creating economic incentives for peace.
I especially stress the importance of focusing on proactive diplomacy and soft-power initiatives.
Currently, preparations are underway for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Office of the President of the Republic of Armenia and the Directorate-General of the Presidency of the Republic of Lebanon. Armenia will be the first country with which Lebanon will sign such a memorandum. I propose to initiate similar memoranda with other countries as well.

Our priority should be sustainable innovation, which will stimulate green energy, smart technologies, and environmentally clean practices.

The coming year will be exceptional, as, among other events, we will host the UN Conference of the Parties on Biodiversity (COP17) and the 8th Summit of the European Political Community. The successful high-level organization of such large-scale conferences will ensure Armenia’s international visibility and bring significant economic benefits.
It is necessary to support the creation of balanced and constructive media campaigns that highlight the importance of peaceful coexistence among nations and showcase successful stories of cooperation. Here, your role as ambassadors is particularly crucial in conveying these developments and securing international support.

Special attention must be paid to relations with landlocked countries, with which we share significant common interests. Countries like ours are well aware of the limitations of economic development under such conditions, while at the same time understanding the importance of expanding connectivity, international trade, involvement in regional transit routes, and partnerships.

Considering the role of Middle Eastern, Gulf, and Central Asian countries in strengthening peace and security in the region, as well as in promoting sustainable development, I attach great importance to further expanding political dialogue, deepening trade and economic relations, and boosting cooperation on multilateral platforms with them. This region is especially important in the context of economic diplomacy.

The African continent represents a comparatively new but promising direction in our foreign policy. In recent years, we have been seeking to activate our relations with African countries, and certain steps have already been taken.

The recent intensification of relations with Latin American countries also testifies to Armenia’s aspiration to diversify the geography of its foreign relations and to broaden the scope of cooperation. Today, geographical distance should no longer be an obstacle to strengthening ties.”