Vahagn Melikian
Mr. Vahagn Melikian is a seasoned Armenian diplomat with a career spanning over three decades. Melikian has held numerous key positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His notable roles include serving as Secretary General of the Ministry from 2018 to 2021 and Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Diaspora from 2015 to 2018. Melikyan’s ambassadorial appointments have been extensive, representing Armenia in countries such as Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates.
Melikian’s contributions to diplomacy have been recognized through several prestigious awards, including the Commemorative Medal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Gilded Coin of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Grand Cross of the Order of May from Argentina, the Mkhitar Gosh Medal, and the second-class Medal of Services to the Motherland. Fluent in English, Russian, French, and Arabic, he has significantly advanced Armenia’s diplomatic relations and international presence.
Vahagn Melikian is a founding member of the Pan-Armenian Diplomatic Council. Melikian is married and has two children.
- Armenia-France Relations— France's active diplomatic and military support for Armenia in international forums and bilateral engagement, driven by a large Armenian diaspora community.
- Armenia-India Relations— The growing strategic and defense partnership between Armenia and India, positioned as a counterweight to the Turkey-Pakistan-Azerbaijan axis.
- Armenia-NATO Relations— Armenia's relationship with NATO, including military exercises, interoperability programs, and the debate over whether deeper ties are feasible or desirable.
- Armenia-Russia Relations— Armenia's strategic partnership with Russia, CSTO membership, and the complicated relationship under Pashinyan as Moscow's influence waned after 2020.
- Armenia-US Relations— U.S.-Armenia relations, including USAID programs, defense cooperation talks, Armenian-American lobby efforts, and Washington's South Caucasus policy.