Kazakhstan awards highest state honour to Armenian PM Photo

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has bestowed the country’s highest state award, the Altyn Qyran (Golden Eagle) Order, upon Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during an official ceremony in Astana. 

The Kazakh leader said the award reflected Kazakhstan’s intention to further deepen bilateral relations and symbolised the growing friendship between the two countries, Caliber.Az reports via Kazakhstan’s presidential website. 

Tokayev characterised Pashinyan as a “strong and visionary statesman recognised by the international community.” He noted that the Armenian prime minister had energised Armenia’s internal development and given new momentum to reforms across multiple sectors of state governance.

According to the Kazakh president, Armenia under Pashinyan’s leadership had strengthened its international standing and demonstrated a responsible approach to both domestic and foreign policy.

He emphasised that in a challenging geopolitical environment, Pashinyan had shown an ability to make unconventional and resolute decisions that he believed would benefit the Armenian people. Tokayev said this indicated that Armenia had chosen a path of peaceful and sustainable development—something he described as Pashinyan’s historic achievement.

The Kazakh president also highlighted Pashinyan’s role in furthering the Azerbaijan–Armenia peace process, including the signing of  a Joint Declaration in Washington, which he said marked a significant step toward regional stability.

Tokayev stressed that Kazakh-Armenian relations were now reaching the level of a strategic partnership. He attributed this in part to Pashinyan’s active engagement in expanding cooperation across various sectors. 

In recognition of what he called the Armenian leader’s exceptional contribution to bilateral ties, Tokayev said he had decided to award him the Order of Altyn Qyran. He expressed confidence that the honour would serve as a symbol of the enduring friendship, mutual trust and shared aspirations of the Kazakh and Armenian peoples.

By Sabina Mammadli