Armenian diplomat: Vance’s visit focused on Baku, not Yerevan

Visits to Yerevan and Baku were originally designed with different political weight and strategic focus, with the centre of attention clearly in Baku rather than Armenia’s capital, diplomat Vahagn Melikian has said.

Melikyan noted that a careful comparison of the two visits—from ceremonial aspects to the substance of discussions—suggests that Yerevan served largely as a stopover for the US Vice President, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media. 

“In Yerevan, the emphasis was on domestic political issues and supporting the current government ahead of elections, whereas strategic and more substantive matters were discussed in Baku in a detailed, partnership-oriented format,” he said on the Fifth Channel.

Melikyan added that international politics often follows a simple rule: weaker states are rarely treated seriously.

“If a country does not present a confident and well-structured position, it is not engaged on equal terms. Increasingly, the principle that ‘power creates rights’ is being confirmed. International norms and written rules are giving way to the real balance of power. A new architecture of the global order is emerging, and early signs are already visible. In this context, Baku has managed to position itself more assertively and persistently,” he concluded.

US Vice President JD Vance visited Armenia and Azerbaijan in early February as part of Washington’s efforts to engage more closely with South Caucasus states. The visit aimed to strengthen bilateral relations, discuss regional security, economic cooperation, and energy projects, and support ongoing peace and stability initiatives.

In Yerevan, the focus was largely on domestic politics and engagement with Armenian leadership ahead of the upcoming elections.

In contrast, Vance’s trip to Baku emphasised strategic partnership, covering deeper regional and international issues, including security collaboration, energy corridors, and trade links. 

By Aghakazim Guliyev