The move appears to be part of a steadily increasing effort by Baku to exert control over the road in southern Armenia that passes through pockets of Azerbaijan-controlled territory.
Unlike the last time the two sides explored restoring ties, Azerbaijan doesn’t seem to be trying to play the spoiler. But questions remain about Russia’s involvement in the process.
Azerbaijan’s recent closure of a key road has highlighted the need for a new highway in southern Armenia; critics say the government has been dragging its feet.
The post has been empty since May, after the entire ministry leadership resigned in frustration with the country’s foreign policymaking. Now it will be filled by a political loyalist.
The country will get a billion more euros than Brussels originally promised. Yerevan is connecting the windfall to the successful conduct of last month’s elections.
The country has been without a national airline since 2013, when the last one went bankrupt. Many argued that not having one was a national security risk.
Social media has turned against Armenians planning to vacation on the Black Sea, given what many see as Georgian betrayal in last year’s war. But bookings still appear brisk.
The elections were a unique event in post-Soviet Armenian history, as the results were not a foregone conclusion. The incumbent won an unexpectedly large mandate to stay in power.
Robert Kocharyan is trying for a unique feat in the post-Soviet space: a return to power. And he’s risen to the top of the heap of the many opposition contenders vying in the June 20 elections.
The resignation of the foreign minister and two other top MFA officials come amid controversy over a draft agreement on resolving a border crisis with Azerbaijan.
The list of the ruling party, which came to power on promises to stamp out corruption, includes two prominent oligarchs. And two of the opposition parties are putting up former ruling party MPs.
Acting prime minister Nikol Pashinyan confirmed that the two sides are close to an agreement, which reportedly could involve additional territorial concessions.
National security has dominated the rhetoric in the campaign so far, though the opposition has not been very specific on how it would tackle the country’s daunting challenges.
The country has taken the rare step of offering the vaccine to anyone, including foreigners, without registration. But the number of takers is still low.
