Nikol Pashinyan Launches Fourth Republic and Multi-Vector Foreign Policy

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced the launch of a new government program for 2026–2031, marking the transition to a historical stage he termed the Fourth Republic. This initiative, based on the Real Armenia ideology and the Civil Contract party platform, aims to create a new quality of state focused on the logic of peace rather than conflict.

A central pillar of the program is the adoption of a new constitution, the draft of which is currently open for public discussion. This move follows demands from Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to remove territorial claims against Azerbaijan as a prerequisite for a peace agreement. The government intends to finalize border delimitation and a formal peace treaty with Azerbaijan, while also seeking to open borders and establish diplomatic relations with Turkey.

On the global stage, Pashinyan is implementing a multi-vector foreign policy to deepen strategic partnerships with the United States, European Union, Russia, China, and India, including pursuing membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Amid rising geopolitical friction between Washington and Tehran, Pashinyan stated that Armenia is maintaining close contact with both powers, asserting that deepening ties with Iran does not contradict its partnership with the United States.