Detainees Held in Baku and ‘Western Azerbaijan’ Rhetoric Remain Issues to Be Resolved, Says Foreign Minister Mirzoyan

· January 5, 2026

YEREVAN — “I cannot say that all issues have been resolved; that would be self-deception,” Ararat Mirzoyan said in an interview with Public Television, speaking about the process of establishing peace with Azerbaijan and the final signing of a peace agreement.

“There are individuals being held in Baku’s prisons, and there is the rhetoric of ‘Western Azerbaijan’ in various contexts. These are issues that are subject to resolution,” the foreign minister said. “Peace has been established, and there are manifestations of cooperation, but humanitarian issues also require solutions. We also consider the ‘Western Azerbaijan’ narrative to be directed against our territorial integrity. So there is still a road ahead, but it is a road that must be taken.”

Summarizing Armenia’s foreign policy agenda for 2025, Mirzoyan noted that Armenia is moving toward unblocking regional connections and that active discussions are underway with the U.S. side around TRIPP, with construction set to begin next year. “Through TRIPP, Armenia will be connected to external markets,” he said.

“Peace has been established and there are signs of cooperation, but this does not mean that we have fully completed the necessary journey. Existing issues still require proper addressing,” Mirzoyan added.

According to the minister, the year’s key event was the Washington summit, which reaffirmed principles centered on peace and unblocking. “Work is underway to translate strategic partnerships into concrete realities on the ground, and there are clear results. I can also predict that new partnerships will be established in the near future,” Mirzoyan said.