Armen Grigoryan
Armen Grigoryan is co-founder and vice president of the Yerevan-based Center for Policy Studies, and a member of the advisory board of the project “Resilience in the South Caucasus: Prospects and Challenges of a New EU Foreign Policy Concept,” implemented by the Institute of Slavic Languages and Caucasus Studies, at University of Jena.
Contact Armen Grigoryan
Articles by Armen Grigoryan
Russia-Dependent Armenia Shies Away From Openly Backing Moscow on Ukraine War
Bilateral relations with Russia remain of crucial importance to Armenia, given the small South Caucasus country’s difficult security predicament. Yet these considerations extend beyond hard military factors. Russia monopolizes Armenia’s
Velvet Counterrevolution: Armenian Opposition Tries to Challenge Pashinian Government on Its Rebalanced Foreign Policy
Last month (April), European Union officials stepped up their efforts to mediate a political settlement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, while the two governments agreed to establish a bilateral commission on
Armenia’s Attempts of Maneuvering Amidst the Russian-Ukrainian War
For a long time, given Armenia’s security predicament, attempts to avoid antagonizing Russia have been one of the key features of the country’s policy. Obligations deriving from Armenia’s membership in
Armenian Prime Minister Pashinian Wins New Political Mandate Despite Recent Military Defeat
Snap parliamentary elections, held on June 20, resulted in a decisive victory for incumbent Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s Civil Contract party: with 53.91 percent of votes in favor, it
Armenia’s Demographic Situation: Short- and Longer-Term Trends
Armenia has long considered its negative demographic trends a threat. The issue was mentioned in both versions of the country’s National Security Strategy— the first one adopted in 2007 and
Armenia Adopts New National Security Strategy
On July 10, Armenia’s Security Council approved a new National Security Strategy. It is considerably longer than the previous version of this document, adopted in 2007 (Armenia’s first strategy planning
Amid COVID-19, Old and New Conspiracy Theories Multiply in Armenia
The COVID-19 crisis has exacerbated the ongoing disinformation campaign in Armenia. Old and new false claims and biased narratives have been actively promoted in recent weeks by multiple actors, foreign
Armenian Government Stabilizes COVID-19 Cases, but Structural Risk Factors Remain
The COVID-19 situation in Armenia presently remains under control, although the peak of infection almost certainly has yet to occur. As of Sunday, March 29, 2,054 persons tested negative, and
A Year in Review: Armenian Government Hampered by Path Dependence
In 2019, Armenia’s economic situation markedly improved, registering GDP growth of 6.5 percent, a stable financial system, upgraded credit ratings, higher budget revenues and reduced public debt (Emerging Europe, December
Armenian Government’s Precarious Balancing Act With Russia
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov recently paid their first visits to Armenia since the 2018 “Velvet Revolution.” Shoigu visited Armenia on October 29, just before
Standoff Between Armenian Government and Former Regime Continues
The long-awaited trial of former president of Armenia Robert Kocharyan (in office, 1998–2008) and other officials charged with violations of the constitutional order is finally about to begin, with hearings
Political Crisis Underlines Need for Constitutional Reform in Armenia
The government in Yerevan, formed by Nikol Pashinyan after the “Velvet Revolution” and snap parliamentary elections in 2018, is apparently facing its first serious crisis. Specifically, the start of the
One Year After Armenia’s ‘Velvet Revolution’: The Plans and Challenges Ahead
One year ago, in April 2018, a quasi-authoritarian regime collapsed as a result of a nationwide protest movement in Armenia labeled the “Velvet Revolution” (see EDM, April 23, 2018). And
Armenia’s Revolutionary Government Wins Snap Elections
The bloc led by the leader of the “Velvet Revolution,” acting prime minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, quite predictably won a comfortable majority, obtaining 70.4 percent of votes in the
Armenia’s Revolutionary Reformist Government Faces a Crisis
The charges against former president Robert Kocharyan and his detention (see EDM, August 8) predictably boosted political tensions and further ramped up the already intensive propaganda campaign against the incumbent
Armenian Investigators Charge Former President, Other Top Officials With Violation of Constitutional Order
The Armenian government, formed by Nikol Pashinyan after a civil disobedience campaign forced the resignation of former president and recently appointed prime minister Serzh Sargsyan (see EDM, May 22), continues
Armenian Governments Takes up Fight Against Corruption and Organized Crime
The period of relative calm in Armenian politics that followed the May 8 election of protest leader Nikol Pashinyan as the new head of government (see EDM, May 22) may
New Armenian Cabinet Formed Amidst High Expectations
Armenian protest leader Nikol Pashinyan, whose peaceful campaign resulted in the resignation of the country’s former president and recently appointed prime minister Serzh Sargsyan (see EDM, April 23, 24, May 3), was
Armenian Revolution Aided by Restraint of Military, Security Services
The protest movement in Armenia, which forced former president and recently appointed prime minister Serzh Sargsyan to resign on April 23 (see EDM, April 23, 24, May 3), has been particularly remarkable
Protesters in Armenia Demand Snap Parliamentary Elections and Prime Minister Sargsyan Resigns
After Serzh Sargsyan’s second presidential term ended on April 9, the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) appointed him the country’s new prime minister by a vote on April 17
Armenian President Nominates a Successor
The constitutional amendments Armenia adopted in December 2015 provided for a fundamental change—shifting from a presidential to a parliamentary system, but establishing a transitional period until the end of Serzh
A Year in Review: Armenia Seeks Closer Cooperation With the West While Avoiding Angering Russia
The year 2017 could be considered a tranquil one for Armenia’s domestic and international political life. It passed without a repeat of anything as violent or dramatic as, for instance,
Armenia and EU Sign New Partnership Agreement
Armenia and the European Union signed a Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) at the fifth Eastern Partnership summit in Brussels, on November 24 (Armradio.am, Eeas.europa.eu, November 24). CEPA, which
Armenia Likely to Yield Even More of Its Sovereignty to Russia
The United States’ ambassador to Yerevan, Richard M. Mills, praised the participation of an Armenian unit in the US-led Noble Partner 2017 exercise, held on July 30 to August 12,
Armenian Officials Remain Overly Cautious Despite Citizens Being Discriminated Against in Russia
On July 14, Russia’s State Duma (the parliament’s lower chamber) adopted a law, which allows citizens of countries where the Russian language has a constitutionally accepted official status—Belarus, Kazakhstan and
Armenian Government Must Choose Between Energy Diversification and Loyalty to Russia
In mid-June, the CEO of Russia’s gas monopolist Gazprom, Alexei Miller, paid a spontaneous visit to Yerevan, where he met with Armenia’s Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan. Official information about the
New Controversies Swirl Around Russian Military Base in Armenia
The trial related to the most shocking crime committed in Armenia in recent years—the murder of a family of seven, including two babies, by a Russian soldier stationed at the
Armenian Authorities Arrest Former Separatist Karabakh ‘Defense Minister’ on Eve of Parliamentary Elections
On March 22, the Armenian National Security Service (NSS) arrested three persons, including Samvel Babayan—a paramilitary unit commander during the Karabakh War (1988–1994) and “defense minister” of the self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR),
Armenia and Georgia Hold Joint Exercise With NATO Soldiers
For the past several weeks, a group of Armenian soldiers have been taking part in a joint exercise with their Georgian counterparts at the Sachkhere Mountain Training School—a training facility
Armenia and Russia Pursue Joint Military Forces
Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved an agreement to establish a joint Russo-Armenian military unit, which will include troops of the 102nd Russian military base stationed near Yerevan as well
Armenia’s New Defense Minister Proposes ‘Nation-Army’ Concept
The National Assembly of Armenia affirmed Karen Karapetyan as the country’s new prime minister, on September 13. Karapetyan’s previous career was predominantly linked in various ways to Russia’s natural gas
After a Delay, Russia Delivers New Types of Weapons to Armenia
During preparations for a military parade to mark the 25th anniversary of Armenia’s independence on September 21, Iskander mobile short-range ballistic missile launchers (NATO reporting name SS-26 Stone) appeared on
Dispute Over Armenian Historical Figure Disrupts Talks on Joint Russian-Armenian Air Defense System
On June 3, the Armenian National Assembly’s (parliament) Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs approved the draft agreement with Russia on establishing a joint regional air defense system (see EDM, November
After April Violence in Karabakh, Armenia’s Distrust in Russia Keeps Growing
Last month’s deadly skirmishes along the line of conflict in Karabakh (April 2–5), the so-called “four-day war,” highlighted the need for a reinvigorated international mediation effort. Immediately afterward, Russia appeared
Russia’s Image in Armenia Damaged by Fighting in Karabakh
The outbreak of clashes along the line of contact in the separatist region of Karabakh, which began early in the morning on April 2 and lasted until April 5, was
Russian Media Leaks Sensitive Details of Armenia’s Defense Posture
In February, Russian sources confirmed a $200 million loan to Armenia. The loan—extended by Moscow to allow Armenia to buy up-to-date Russian weapons—had been promised in June 2015 (see EDM,
Russian Factor Remains Critical for Armenia’s Regional Projects
In mid-February, the troubled electricity producer Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA) once again made headlines when Armenia’s Energy Minister Yervand Zakharyan announced the government’s decision to seek a 30-year loan
Moscow’s Confrontational Policy Turns Russia From an Ally to a Threat for Armenia
On February 8, a number of units of Russia’s Southern Military District as well as the Black Sea Fleet and the Caspian Flotilla were put on a high alert, and
Russia’s Economic Decline Puts the Armenian Government Under Pressure
As oil prices have gone down significantly, the consequences may go well beyond the depreciation of the Russian ruble and Russia’s economic decline. Armenian Deputy Minister of Finance, Pavel Safaryan,
Armenia, Georgia, Iran and Russia Plan to Expand Energy Cooperation
In Yerevan, on December 23, the energy ministers of Armenia, Georgia, and Iran as well as the chief executive of the Rosseti joint-stock company, which manages Russia’s power distribution grids,
Russia Expands Military Presence in Armenia, Deepens Confrontational Rhetoric
The November 24 downing of the Russian Su-24 bomber by the Turkish air force has resulted in a serious deterioration in bilateral relations and the deployment of additional Russian units
Russia Seeks Further Expansion of Military and Political Influence in Armenia
On November 9, Russia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov traveled to Armenia. The visit was agreed upon shortly before. The next day, President Vladimir Putin ordered the government of
Moscow Frustrates Attempts to Resolve Karabakh Conflict, and Curtails Yerevan’s Foreign Policy Options
As part of a regional visit, the co-chairs (representatives of the United States, France and Russia) of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s Minsk Group visited the Armenian
Sale of Armenia’s Monopoly Electricity Distributor Confirmed
On September 30, the Russian firm RAO UES International and Tashir Group—a Moscow-based group of companies controlled by a Russian billionaire of Armenian origin, Samvel Karapetyan—announced the signing of an
Armenian Government Allows Sale of Country’s Sole Electricity Distributor
On September 17, Armenia’s Energy Minister Yervand Zakharyan told journalists in Yerevan that the government’s final decision about RAO UES International’s intention to sell 100 percent of the shares of
Armenia’s Regional Energy and Transport Cooperation Squeezed by Russia
Shortly after the deal on Iran’s nuclear program, Iranian ambassador to Armenia, Mohammad Reyisi, gave several interviews to Armenian newspapers and news agencies concerning perspectives for future bilateral cooperation. Ambassador
Yerevan Electricity Protests Reach Climax
Protests in Yerevan and other Armenian cities have persisted for over a week, following the state regulatory commission’s June 17 decision about increasing the electricity fee from August 1. As
Iran-Armenia Railway Project Remains Controversial
Discussions surrounding the proposed Iran-Armenia railway project have intensified in early June, after a statement made by Russian Railways’ CEO, Vladimir Yakunin, who said that the project would not be
Planned Electricity Fee Increase May Revive Protest Movement in Armenia
In early May, the Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA) joint-stock company (a subsidiary of Russian RAO UES International) submitted a request to Armenia’s state regulatory commission for a fee increase
New Strains in Armenian-Georgian Relations
Information published earlier this month on the website of the de facto parliament of the separatist Georgian region of South Ossetia caused a diplomatic scandal between Yerevan and Tbilisi. Reportedly,
Russia Increases Military Capacity in the South Caucasus
Recent geographically broad, intensive and large-scale military exercises of the Russian army, including those in the North Caucasus (Russia’s Southern Military District—MD), have again raised concerns about Vladimir Putin’s possible
Armenia Poised to Make Pivotal Decision About Further Cooperation With European Union
European Union officials hope that among the outcomes of the upcoming May 2015 Eastern Partnership (EaP) summit in Riga will be a new and more flexible cooperation framework for redefining
Iran-Armenia Railway Project and Russian Geopolitics
During a press conference in Yerevan on January 27, Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif said that various opportunities for bilateral economic cooperation could potentially be beneficial, and
Fissures in Russo-Armenian Partnership Spill out Into Yerevan’s International Relations
As the investigation into the January 12 murder of the Avetisyan family (see EDM, January 16) continues, several top Armenian officials have admitted that the Russian side’s refusal to hand
Murder of Armenian Family by Russian Soldier Severely Strains Moscow-Yerevan Relations
The situation in Armenia has suddenly became extremely tense after six members of the Avetisyan family, including two children, were murdered on January 12 in Gyumri, Armenia’s second largest city,
Russia’s Faltering Economy Causing Currency Crisis in Armenia
Armenia’s strong economic dependence on the Russian Federation is dramatically being highlighted at the moment by the devaluation of the Russian ruble and the general economic decline in Russia. The
Russian-Abkhazian Strategic Partnership Agreement Puts Pressure on Armenian Government
Implications related to the signing of the Russo-Abkhazian Agreement on Alliance and Strategic Partnership, on November 24, have been reverberating across the region, and have had profound effects on Armenia.