Europe
Further information: Armenia–European Union relations| Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Albania | 1993-02-18 | See Armenia–Albania relations
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| Andorra | 2003-11-18 | See Armenia–Andorra relations
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| Austria | 1992-01-24 | See Armenia–Austria relations
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| Azerbaijan | No diplomatic relations | See Armenia–Azerbaijan relations, Nagorno-Karabakh War, Khojaly Massacre, Khachkar destruction in Nakhchivan
The two nations have fought two wars in 1918–20 (Armenian–Azerbaijani War) and in 1988–94 (Nagorno-Karabakh War), in the past century, with last one ended with provisional cease fire agreement signed in Bishkek. There are no formal diplomatic relations between the two countries, because of the of the ongoing Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and dispute. In 2008, Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev declared that “Nagorno Karabakh will never be independent; the position is backed by international mediators as well; Armenia has to accept the reality” and that “in 1918, Yerevan was granted to the Armenians. It was a great mistake. The khanate of Iravan was the Azeri territory, the Armenians were guests here”. The neighboring nations of Armenia and Azerbaijan have had formal governmental relations since 1918. The two nations have fought two wars in 1918–20 and in 1988–94 in the past century, with last one ended with provisional cease fire agreement signed in Bishkek. In 2008, Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev declared that “Nagorno Karabakh will never be independent; the position is backed by international mediators as well; Armenia has to accept the reality” and that “in 1918, Yerevan was granted to the Armenians. It was a great mistake. The khanate of Iravan was the Azeri territory, the Armenians were guests here”. During the Soviet period, many Armenians and Azeris lived side by side in peace. However, when Mikhail Gorbachev introduced the policies of Glasnost and Perestroika, the majority of Armenians from the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast (NKAO) of the Azerbaijan SSR began a movement to unify with the Armenian SSR. In 1988, the Armenians of Karabakh voted to secede and join Armenia. This, along with sporadic massacres in Azerbaijan against Armenians resulted in the conflict that became known as the Nagorno-Karabakh War. The violence resulted in de facto Armenian control of former NKAO and seven surrounding Azerbaijani regions which was effectively halted when both sides agrees to observe a cease-fire which has been in effect since May 1994, and in late 1995 both also agreed to mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group. The Minsk Group is currently co-chaired by the U.S., France and Russia, and comprises Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, and several Western European nations. Despite the cease fire, up to 40 clashes are reported along the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict lines of control each year. The two countries are still technically at war. Citizens of the Republic of Armenia, as well as citizens of any other country who are of Armenian descent, are forbidden entry to the Republic of Azerbaijan. If a person's passport shows any evidence of travel to Nagorno-Karabakh, they are forbidden entry to the Republic of Azerbaijan. In 2008, in what became known as the 2008 Mardakert Skirmishes, Armenia and Azerbaijan clashed over Nagorno-Karabakh. The fighting between the two sides was brief, with few casualties on either side. |
| Belarus | 1993-06-12 | See Armenia–Belarus relations
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| Belgium | 1992-03-10 | See Armenia–Belgium relations
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| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 1997-07-29 | See Armenia–Bosnia and Herzegovina relations
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| Bulgaria | 1992-01-18 | See Armenia–Bulgaria relations
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| Croatia | 1994-07-08 | See Armenia–Croatia relations
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| Cyprus | 1992-03-18 | See Armenia–Cyprus relations
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| Czech Republic | 1992-03-30 | See Armenia–Czech Republic relations
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| Denmark | 1992-01-14 | See Armenia–Denmark relations
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| Estonia | 1992-08-23 |
See Armenia–Estonia relations
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| Finland | 1992-03-25 |
See Armenia–Finland relations
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| France | 1992-02-24 | See Armenia–France relations
Franco-Armenian relations have existed since the French and the Armenians established contact in the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia and are close to this day. 2006 was proclaimed the Year of Armenia in France. |
| Georgia | 1992-07-17 | See Armenia–Georgia relations
Armenians and Georgians have a lot in common. Both are ancient Christian civilizations with their own distinct alphabets. Both use the terms "Apostolic" and "Orthodox" in the full titles of their respective churches. They also use the term "Catholicos" to refer to their church patriarchs. Despite all this, however, Armenians and Georgians have tended to have a tenuous relationship (at times, sharing close bonds while at other times regarding each other as rivals). Today, relations with Georgia are of particular importance for Armenia because, under the economic blockade imposed by Turkey and Azerbaijan due to the ongoing Karabakh conflict, Georgia offers Armenia its only land connection with Europe and access to its Black Sea ports. However, because of Armenia's reliance on Russia and Georgia, both of whom fought the 2008 South Ossetia war and severed diplomatic and economic relations as a result; and as 70% of Armenia's imports entered via Georgia especially from Russia which has imposed an economic blockade on Georgia, Armenia also has been indirectly affected from this blockade as well. The development of close relations between Turkey and Georgia (such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and South Caucasus natural gas pipeline) have also weighed on the mutual relations and lead to the prevention of the country recognizing the Armenian Genocide. On occasion, however, Georgian politicians have sympathized with the Armenian cause. For example, on 20 March 2006, Georgian Ambassador to Armenia Revaz Gachechiladze stated, "We sympathize with the sister nation but taking decisions of the kind we should take into account the international situation. When the time comes Georgia will do everything within the limits of the possible for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the international community including Georgia." However, Armenian-Georgian relations have begun to improve. On 10 May 2006, Armenia and Georgia agreed on the greater part of the lines of the state border between the two countries. The Javakheti region in southern Georgia contains a large Armenian population and although there have been local civic organizations (such as United Javakhk) pushing for autonomy, there has been no violence between Armenians and Georgians in the area. |
| Germany | 1992-01 | See Armenia–Germany relations
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| Greece | 1992-01-20 | See Armenia–Greece relations
Greece was one of the first countries to recognize Armenia's independence on 21 September 1991, and one of those that have officially recognized the Armenian Genocide. Since the independence of Armenia the two countries have been partners within the framework of international organizations (United Nations, OSCE, Council of Europe, BSEC), whilst Greece firmly supports the community programs aimed at further developing relations between the EU and Armenia. Continuous visits of the highest level have shown that both countries want to continue to improve the levels of friendship and cooperation (Visit by the President of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrossian to Greece in 1996, visit by the President of the Hellenic Republic Costis Stephanopoulos in 1999, visit by the President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan to Greece in 2000 and 2005 and visit by Greek president Karolos Papoulias to Armenia in June 2007). Greece is, after Russia, the major military partner of Armenia. Armenian officers are trained in Greek military academies, and various technical assistance is supplied by Greece. Since 2003, an Armenian platoon has been deployed in Kosovo as part of KFOR, where they operate as a part of the Greek battalion of KFOR. |
| Holy See | 1992-5-23 | See Armenia–Holy See relations |
| Hungary | 01992-02-2626 February 1992—02012-08-3131 August 2012 |
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| Iceland | See Armenia–Iceland relations | |
| Ireland | 1996-06-13 | See Armenia–Ireland relations
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| Italy | 1993-05-12 | See Armenia–Italy relations
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| Latvia | 1992-08-22 | See Armenia–Latvia relations
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| Liechtenstein | 2008-05-07 | See Armenia–Liechtenstein relations |
| Lithuania | 1991-11-21 | See Armenia–Lithuania relations
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| Luxembourg | 1992-06-11 | See Armenia–Luxembourg relations
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| Macedonia | 1993-04-27 | See Armenia–Macedonia relations |
| Malta | 1993-05-27 | See Armenia–Malta relations |
| Moldova | 1992-05 | See Armenia–Moldova relations
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| Monaco | 2008-10 | See Armenia–Monaco relations |
| Montenegro | See Armenia–Montenegro relations | |
| Netherlands | 1992-01-30 | See Armenia–Netherlands relations
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| Norway | 1992-06-05 | See Armenia–Norway relations |
| Poland | 1992-02-26 | See Armenia–Poland relations
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| Portugal | 1992-05-25 | See Armenia–Portugal relations
Armenia has represented in Portugal through its embassy in Rome (Italy). Portugal is represented in Armenia through its embassy in Moscow (Russia). One of the most notable Armenians who resided in Portugal was Calouste Gulbenkian. He was a wealthy Armenian businessman and philantropist, who made Lisbon the headquarters for his businesses. He established the international charity, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon. He also founded the Museu Calouste Gulbenkian in Lisbon. |
| Romania | 1991-11-17 | See Armenia–Romania relations
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| Russia | 1992-04-03 | See Armenia–Russia relations
Armenia's most notable recent foreign policy success came with the 29 August treaty with Russia on friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance, in which Moscow committed itself to the defense of Armenia should it be attacked by a third party. Russia is the key regional security player, and has proved a valuable historical ally for Armenia. Although it appeared as a response to Aliyev's US trip, the treaty had probably long been under development. However, it is clear from the wider context of Armenian foreign policy that—while Yerevan welcomes the Russian security guarantee—the country does not want to rely exclusively on Moscow, nor to become part of a confrontation between Russian and US-led alliances in the Transcaucasus. |
| San Marino | 2006-03-21 | See Armenia–San Marino relations |
| Serbia | 1993-01-14 | See Armenia–Serbia relations
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| Slovakia | 1993-01-14 | See Armenia–Slovakia relations
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| Slovenia | 1994-06-27 | See Armenia–Slovenia relations |
| Spain | 1992-01-27 | See Armenia–Spain relations
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| Sweden | 1992-07-10 | See Armenia–Sweden relations
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| Switzerland | 1991-12-23 | See Armenia–Switzerland relations
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| Turkey | No formal diplomatic relations | See Armenia–Turkey relations
Turkey was one of the first countries to recognize Armenia's independence in 1991. Despite this, for most of the 20th century and early 21st century, relations remain tense and there are no formal diplomatic relations between the two countries for numerous reasons. Some bones of contention include the unresolved Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan (which has resulted in Turkey imposing a blockade on Armenia that is still in effect today), the treatment of Armenians in Turkey, the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, and the Armenian claim of Turkey's holding of historic Armenian lands (ceded to them in the Treaty of Kars, a treaty which Armenia refuses to recognize to this day since it was signed between the Soviet Union and Turkey, and not between Armenia and Turkey proper). At the forefront of all disputes, however, is the issue surrounding the Armenian Genocide. The killing and deportation of between one and one-and-a-half million Armenians from eastern Anatolian lands of the Ottoman Empire orchestrated by the Young Turks is a taboo subject in Turkey itself as the Turkish government refuses to acknowledge that a genocide ever happened. However, since Turkey has become a candidate to join the European Union, limited discussion of the event is now taking place in Turkey. Some in the European Parliament have even suggested that one of the provisions for Turkey to join the E.U. should be the full recognition of the event as genocide. On 5 June 2005, Armenian President Robert Kocharian announced that he was ready to "continue dialogue with Azerbaijan for the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and with Turkey on establishing relations without any preconditions." Armenia has also stated that as a legal successor to the Armenian SSR, it is loyal to the Treaty of Kars and all agreements inherited by the former Soviet Armenian government. Yet Turkey continues to lay preconditions on relations, insisting that Armenia abandon its efforts to have the Genocide recognized, which official Yerevan is not willing to do. In the wake of the 2008 South Ossetia war between Russia and Georgia, Armenia and Turkey have shown signs of an inclination to reconsider their relationship. According to The Economist magazine, 70% of Armenia's imports enter via Georgia. Because of the apparently belligerent posture of the Russian state, economic ties with Turkey appear especially attractive. |
| Ukraine | 1992-12-25 | See Armenia–Ukraine relations
Armenian-Ukrainian relations have lasted for centuries and today are cordial. |
| United Kingdom | 1992-01-20 | See Armenia–United Kingdom relations
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Read more about this topic: Foreign Relations Of Armenia, Countries With Diplomatic Relations
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