YEREVAN, ARMENIA – On February 17, 2026, the “Proposal for Armenia” initiative publicly presented a comprehensive vision for the nation’s future, centered around a series of ambitious mega-projects. These initiatives are not merely infrastructure upgrades; they represent a strategic pivot towards a more robust, resilient, and influential Armenia, aiming to reconstruct and strengthen the country’s economic potential, enhance its economic and communication capabilities, and significantly boost its regional role and national security.
Mega-Projects: A Catalyst for Transformation
The core philosophy behind these mega-projects is to create new capabilities, inject dynamism into the national economy, and achieve a breakthrough in economic life, ultimately leading to a new level of well-being for its citizens. The proponents argue that large-scale infrastructure projects can provide Armenia with:
- Resilience: Reducing the country’s vulnerabilities.
- Economic Growth: Through the multiplicative effect of large-scale projects.
- Geopolitical Flexibility: By expanding external connections.
- Balanced Development: Fostering life beyond Yerevan.
- Changed International Image: Transforming Armenia into a decision-making partner.
This initiative comes at a critical juncture for Armenia, as it seeks to navigate complex regional dynamics and secure its long-term prosperity. The emphasis on large-scale, transformative projects reflects a belief that incremental changes are insufficient to address the nation’s strategic challenges and opportunities.
Key Pillars of the “Proposal for Armenia”
1. Energy and Industrial Self-Sufficiency
At the heart of Armenia’s future lies energy independence and industrial modernization. Key projects include:
- A new nuclear power plant with modern technological equipment.
- Copper smelting and sulfuric acid utilization plants, alongside the modernization of the metal raw material processing industry.
- Global data centers.
- A radiopharmaceutical and nuclear medicine center.
- Modernization of production infrastructures, including electrical distribution networks, water supply and sewerage, and communication systems.
The development of a new nuclear power plant is particularly significant, signaling a long-term commitment to energy security and a departure from reliance on external energy sources. The focus on advanced industrial processing also aims to move Armenia up the value chain, creating more sophisticated and higher-value exports.
2. Transport and Connectivity
A strategic objective is to transform Armenia into a modern Persian Gulf-Black Sea corridor. This ambitious goal is underpinned by several critical transportation and communication projects:
- Completion of the North-South highway.
- New railways, including Iran-Armenia (integrated into other regional projects), Shirak-Vanadzor-Ijevan, and the restoration and reconstruction of old routes like Kars-Gyumri, Yerevan-Yeraskh-Julfa, and Yerevan-Ijevan-border.
- The Syunik transport and energy hub, featuring new gas pipelines, water pipelines, power transmission lines, internet cables, tunnels, and roads, along with a regional logistics center.
- Expansion of Zvartnots Airport to become a regional hub for air transport between Europe and Asia.
- A new high-speed railway line connecting Yerevan – Airport – Zvartnots Temple – Vagharshapat.
The vision of Armenia as a key transit hub between the Persian Gulf and the Black Sea has profound geopolitical implications, potentially boosting trade, fostering regional cooperation, and strengthening Armenia’s strategic importance.
3. Balanced Development
To alleviate the overpopulation of Yerevan and promote equitable growth across the country, the initiative proposes:
- Relocation of state institutions to other cities.
- New metro lines in Yerevan.
- A high-speed railway from Yerevan to Etchmiadzin and the airport.
- Development of Dilijan as an educational, cultural, tourist, and environmental hub.
- A new Urartu-Erebuni complex in Yerevan.
- The Ani historical and cultural cluster.
These projects aim to decentralize economic activity and improve the quality of urban environments, ensuring that the benefits of growth are distributed more widely across the nation.
4. “Hatis” Project
The “Hatis” project holds a special place, combining civilizational, social, and economic significance. It includes, notably, the construction of a statue of Christ, which is expected to bring about a sharp revitalization of economic life in that region. The ideology of the project is based on the key messages of “recognition, rebirth, pride.” The creation of a new monumental complex becomes a form of social creativity and initiative, involving a wide range of individuals, communities, organizations, and businesses. This is a form of social mobilization built not on opposition, but on joint creation.
5. “Syunik Transport and Energy Hub” Project
This project is presented as an alternative to various “Zangezur” options, emphasizing a comprehensive and integrated approach to developing the Syunik region’s infrastructure.
6. North-South Axis as a Strategic Choice
A program built around the development of the North-South corridor, integrating the TRIPP initiative into this logic, underscores the strategic importance of this axis for Armenia’s future connectivity and trade.
7. Combined Development of Infrastructures
This pillar emphasizes a holistic approach to infrastructure development, encompassing roads and railways, gas pipelines, oil pipelines, power transmission lines, digital and telecommunication infrastructures, and water pipelines.
8. Ecology and High Quality of Life
Environmental sustainability is a key component, with projects such as:
- The “Green Armenia – 2035” program, including the reconstruction of dangerous industries, reduction of emissions, and climate initiatives for Yerevan.
- Protection and restoration of Lake Sevan.
- Modernization of water systems.
- Construction of a waste processing complex for Yerevan and its suburbs.
These initiatives reflect a commitment to sustainable development and improving the quality of life for Armenian citizens.
Conditions for Effective Implementation
The successful preparation and implementation of these mega-projects depend on several crucial conditions:
- Effective Management of Public Debt: Public debt as a tool for development, not a burden. The real rate of economic growth must always be higher than the rate of debt growth.
- Public-Private Partnership (PPP): A modern PPP model is needed to attract private, diaspora, and international capital.
- Attraction of Large External Investments and Internal Resources.
- Rule of Law and Protection of Property Rights: Investors, whether Armenian or foreign, operate only under conditions of legal predictability.
- Competitive and Open Business Environment: Competition reduces project costs and improves the quality of infrastructure. It also ensures maximum collection of investment potential.
- Professional Staff and High-Quality Management: Professional training programs, utilization of diaspora potential, involvement of international specialists, etc.
These mega-projects have the potential to build resilience, create new economic scale, strengthen the country’s position, and open avenues for future development. They become the foundation for a new diplomacy, investments, and national self-esteem that will transform Armenia in the coming decades.
Source: verelq.am
