Armenia is moving toward strengthening its border control capabilities, aiming to independently manage its frontiers, including those with Turkey and Iran. Deputy Foreign Minister Paruyr Hovhannisyan highlighted these efforts during a discussion with journalists on January 24, emphasizing the importance of Armenia’s ability to secure its borders without reliance on third countries.
Hovhannisyan’s comments came in response to questions about U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s announcement of a delegation to assist Armenia in enhancing its border security. He clarified that this initiative focuses on improving efficiency rather than targeting specific countries, such as Iran, with whom Armenia shares strong relations. Hovhannisyan underlined that Armenia’s ties with Iran remain at an unprecedented high level, citing recent diplomatic exchanges as evidence.
Strengthening border capabilities could potentially lead to the withdrawal of Russian border guards from Armenia’s borders with Turkey and Iran. Hovhannisyan noted that “in an ideal world, every country should control its own borders,” and ongoing cooperation with international partners aims to enhance Armenia’s expertise and capacity in this regard.
These developments align with Armenia’s broader foreign policy objectives, which emphasize balanced diplomacy and national sovereignty. Speaking at a parliamentary session on European integration, Hovhannisyan reiterated that Armenia’s initiatives are driven solely by national interests and the pursuit of favorable conditions for its citizens.
Regarding Armenia’s steps toward EU membership, Hovhannisyan described the discussions with Russian counterparts as constructive and focused. He referenced Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s recent remarks, emphasizing that any potential decisions on Armenia’s alignment with the EU or the Eurasian Economic Union should be evaluated in the future.
Hovhannisyan also addressed concerns about U.S. immigration policy changes under the Trump administration and their potential impact on Armenian migration flows. He stressed that it is too early to assess the long-term consequences of these measures, noting that even neighboring countries like Mexico are still evaluating their effects.
Armenia’s focus on balanced foreign policy and independent border control underscores its commitment to national sovereignty and the pragmatic pursuit of its geopolitical interests amid shifting regional dynamics.