Armenian Parliament speaker advocates balanced diplomacy between Russia, West

Armenian Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan outlined the current government's diplomatic strategy, emphasizing a balanced approach in managing relations with Russia while actively pursuing stronger ties with Western powers, including France and the United States.

Speaking to journalists, Simonyan acknowledged the distinct agendas of Armenia’s regional neighbors and global partners, underscoring the importance of pragmatic diplomacy that prioritizes Armenia’s national interests, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

“Armenia has its own agenda, Russia has its own, Iran has its own. The task of diplomacy is to serve one’s own interests,” he said.

Simonyan cautioned against aligning exclusively with any single political bloc, warning that countries rigidly pursuing one-sided policies risk marginalization. “Countries that promote one political line disappear from the world map,” he noted, stressing Armenia’s intention to maintain constructive and neighbourly relations with both France and the United States.

Regarding relations with Russia, Simonyan described the ongoing diplomatic engagement as “normal” and part of a broader process of recalibration. He emphasized that the current Armenian leadership does not champion either a pro-Russian or pro-European stance, but rather pursues a “pro-Armenian agenda.”

He acknowledged unresolved issues with Russia, particularly relating to security alliances such as the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

“Questions remain about the borders of the CSTO, the political withdrawal of the CSTO, and statements by member states regarding the outcome of the Karabakh conflict,” Simonyan said, indicating that these topics continue to shape bilateral dialogue.

The Speaker highlighted the necessity of diversifying Armenia’s cooperation across security and economic sectors to navigate the complex geopolitical environment effectively. “We need to balance without any extremes,” he added.

By Vafa Guliyeva