Pashinyan and Aliyev discuss border talks and upcoming Armenian exports at SCO summit
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met in Bishkek to review peace progress and hinted at new Armenian exports to Azerbaijan.
At the SCO summit in Bishkek, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and President Ilham Aliyev held their first post-election talks, reviewing advances in the peace process and the delimitation of their shared border. Both sides cited the flow of Azerbaijani petroleum products into Armenia, which started in December 2025, as a practical result of the agreements. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said Armenian companies would soon start exporting to Azerbaijan, a move that would make trade bilateral.
Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan listed potential Armenian exports such as aluminum foil, ferromolybdenum, livestock, brandy raw materials, tobacco, textiles, roses and greenhouse produce. Additional bilateral meetings in Bishkek involved the foreign ministers and security council heads, underscoring a push toward broader economic and energy cooperation.
How the sides frame it
LOW AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage centers on the US-backed TRIPP corridor and Armenia’s diversification strategy, while centrist coverage highlights the post-election border talks and the range of Armenian exports slated for Azerbaijan.
LEFT
Emphasizes the progress of the US-backed TRIPP corridor and Armenia’s policy of balancing ties with major powers.
CENTER
Focuses on the first post-election talks between Pashinyan and Aliyev and the imminent bilateral trade of Armenian goods.
The left emphasises
- TRIPP corridor has a 74 % US equity stake and $201 million U.S. funding.
- Armenia will retain control over decisions despite the American majority share.
- Yerevan’s “diversification policy” keeps close ties with Russia, Iran and Turkey.
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