Armenian parliament ratifies Trump’s Board of Peace charter

YEREVAN – Armenia’s National Assembly ratified the charter of the U.S.-initiated Board of Peace on October 28, with 90 lawmakers voting in favour and eight abstaining.

The ruling Civil Contract party and opposition Strong Armenia faction supported ratification, while the opposition Armenia Alliance abstained.

Established at the initiative of U.S. President Donald Trump, the Board of Peace is intended to promote stability, restore effective governance and support lasting peace in regions affected by conflict.

Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan argued that Armenia’s participation would strengthen political engagement with Washington and other member countries.

According to the minister, the organization currently has 28 member states. Membership is generally established for three years, with an option for renewal. Financial contributions are voluntary, and Armenia had made no payment as of October 27.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed the charter on January 22 during the World Economic Forum in Davos.

The parliamentary vote demonstrated differing opposition approaches to the government’s expanding diplomatic engagement with Washington. While Strong Armenia supported the initiative, the Armenia Alliance declined to endorse it.

Participation in international peace initiatives could provide Armenia with additional diplomatic opportunities. Nevertheless, the country’s most pressing concerns remain the unresolved consequences of Azerbaijan’s military actions, the continued detention of Armenian prisoners and the rights of displaced Artsakh Armenians.

The effectiveness of Armenia’s membership should ultimately be measured not by diplomatic visibility alone, but by whether it contributes to concrete advances on these issues.

A meaningful peace policy must also protect Armenia’s sovereignty and ensure that regional normalization does not come at the expense of the Armenian people’s fundamental rights.