On January 14, 2026, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, speaking at a press conference in Istanbul, addressed the Armenia–Azerbaijan peace process, the TRIPP framework, and Armenia’s upcoming parliamentary elections in June 2026. Commenting on Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Fidan said: “We see that Pashinyan is currently leading in opinion polls. We truly support the constructive role he is playing in this regard. This approach, this will, must continue.”
Fidan recalled the agreement reached between the United States and Armenia regarding the implementation of the Trump Route to International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), which was discussed during Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan’s visit to Washington. He noted that there were technical issues related to the matter, that Turkey and Azerbaijan were also reviewing the agreement, and that he had discussed the issue with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov.
Referring to Turkey’s expectations from the process, Fidan stated: “We expect this agreement, which has been initialed between Azerbaijan and Armenia, to be finalized through signing, and for the normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia to be implemented as soon as possible, so that we can continue on our path with stability and prosperity in the region. Currently, this will exists in the political leadership of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Turkey; all three sides have this intention, and there are only a few things that Armenia needs to do.”
Fidan’s remarks were interpreted by many opposition politicians and media outlets as a sign of support for Pashinyan and an endorsement ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for June 7 this year.
“Turkey is interfering in Armenia’s internal political and electoral affairs, as well as in the formation of future authorities,” wrote opposition MP Gegham Manukyan from the Armenia Alliance on his Facebook page.
Another MP from the Armenia Alliance faction, Kristine Vardanyan, said it is difficult to imagine how Turkey’s foreign minister could have been more direct in signaling support for the ruling force in Armenia.
“Why should the leaders of any other country, especially countries like Turkey and Azerbaijan, given Armenia’s context, be interested in the election of any candidate in Armenia? If we have leadership in Armenia that is convenient, a gift, the most preferable candidate for Aliyev and Erdo?an, what does that mean? Can such a candidate protect, or does he protect, Armenian interests? This is the subject of concern; this is the basis of the alarm,” Vardanyan said.
Responding to the controversy, Ruben Rubinyan, Vice?Speaker of Armenia’s National Assembly said that Turkey’s foreign minister did not state that he supports Pashinyan in the elections, dismissing such interpretations as false and stressing that Armenia’s elections are an internal matter.
“Some of our disgraceful media outlets and the cousin of a Russian businessman have once again stood out for lying by their nature: Turkey’s Foreign Minister DID NOT state that he supports Pashinyan in the elections. This is simply false. He did not say anything like that. And he could not have said it, because this is our internal affair”, Rubinyan wrote on his Facebook page.
Armenia’s National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan also disagreed with journalists’ suggestions that Turkey’s foreign minister, in his recent statement, hinted at or announced Turkey’s predisposition to interfere in Armenia’s internal affairs. He made these remarks today during a press briefing at the National Assembly.
In his view, there is no element of interference in Armenia’s internal affairs in Fidan’s statement, and he, in turn, expressed gratitude to Fidan.
“I thank Turkey’s foreign minister and all regional partners who support the calls of the majority of Armenia’s society to pursue peace, engage in trade, and develop that trade within the framework of TRIPP,” said Speaker Alen Simonyan, responding to the statements by Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
