PM Pashinyan Emphasizes Gyumri-Kars Railway Opening in Talks with US Vice President Vance
Yerevan, February 10 – The opening of the Gyumri-Kars railway is of great importance within the framework of the Armenia-Turkey normalization process, stated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan yesterday, February 9, during a joint press conference with US Vice President J.D. Vance. Vance arrived in Armenia on an official visit.
Prime Minister Pashinyan highlighted that this initiative is part of a broader dialogue aimed at achieving a logical conclusion in the Armenia-Turkey normalization process. The discussions also touched upon significant achievements in bilateral relations, particularly in the fields of artificial intelligence and innovative technologies.
Technological Cooperation and NVIDIA Investment
Pashinyan expressed satisfaction with the memorandum signed between Armenia and the United States on August 8, focusing on semiconductors and artificial intelligence. This agreement is set to facilitate the implementation of a mega-project by Firebird company to construct an artificial intelligence factory and data center in Armenia.
In connection with this, the Prime Minister noted that permits have been approved for the export of another batch of high-power chips produced by NVIDIA to Armenia. “I hope that the close and transparent cooperation between Armenia and the United States in the high-tech sector will allow us to further develop and strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation between Armenian and American companies,” Pashinyan stated.
US Vice President’s Official Visit to Armenia
US Vice President J.D. Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, arrived in Armenia on an official visit yesterday, February 9. They were welcomed at “Zvartnots” airport by Speaker of the National Assembly Alen Simonyan, Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan, Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan, and Armenia’s Ambassador to the US Narek Mkrtchyan.
The American delegation also includes Jacob Helberg, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, who posted upon his arrival in Armenia, “Next stop: Yerevan, Armenia.”
Other Developments During the Visit
During his visit, Vice President Vance is scheduled to visit Tsitsernakaberd, the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex. Entrances to the memorial complex were closed in anticipation of his visit.
Earlier, President Vahagn Khachaturyan met with J.D. Vance, welcoming the Vice President’s visit and emphasizing that it reflects the high level of relations between Armenia and the United States.
Vance also spoke about a $9 billion deal in the energy sector, mentioning that small modular reactors would be introduced. He also highlighted the sale of $11 million worth of UAVs to Armenia, stating that “the best form of peace is the deployment of military technologies.” Vance further commented on the TRIPP program, suggesting it would bring radical transformation to the region in terms of international trade, transit, and energy flow.
Prime Minister Pashinyan also revealed that Armenia had purchased military UAVs from the US, providing further details during the press conference. He also signed a joint statement on cooperation in the nuclear energy sector with J.D. Vance.
Pashinyan expressed his hope that the US President would deservedly receive the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, stating that the agreement signed would open a new page in the deepening energy partnership between Armenia and the US. He concluded by asserting that relations between Armenia and the United States are stronger than ever today.
