Pakistan, Armenia establish diplomatic ties after decades of estrangement

• FO confirms landmark step as Ishaq Dar, Ararat Mirzoyan sign joint communique in Tianjin
• Move follows Armenia–Azerbaijan peace deal; PM Shehbaz earlier welcomed breakthrough
• Leaders pledge cooperation in economy, education, culture, tourism under UN Charter

ISLAMABAD/TIANJIN: Pakistan and Armenia on Sunday formally established diplomatic relations, the Foreign Office (FO) announced, marking a historic shift after decades of estrangement.

Until now, Islamabad and Yerevan had no formal diplomatic ties, largely due to Pakistan’s longstanding support for Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. However, the breakthrough came after Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke with Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan earlier this week, following the recent Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal.

According to the FO statement, the two countries established relations by exchanging a joint communique in Tianjin, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. “Marking a historic step forward, both leaders affirmed their commitment to the principles and objectives of the UN Charter and discussed possible avenues of cooperation, including economy, education, culture, and tourism,” the FO statement read.

🔊PR No.2️⃣6️⃣5️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣

Pakistan and Armenia Establish Diplomatic Relations https://t.co/4ZSVvku91x
🔗⬇️ pic.twitter.com/TALuN05LPB

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 31, 2025

The statement added that both sides reaffirmed their resolve to work closely at bilateral and multilateral fora to achieve shared objectives of peace, progress, and prosperity for their peoples.

Dar, in a post on X, expressed satisfaction over signing the joint communique, echoing the FO’s remarks on commitment to the UN Charter. He also shared photos of the signing ceremony, where he and Mirzoyan exchanged documents against the backdrop of their national flags.

Today, H.E. Foreign Minister of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan @AraratMirzoyan, and I are pleased to sign and exchange a Joint Communiqué establishing diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Armenia, on the sidelines of the 25th SCO Summit in Tianjin, China.

We reaffirmed our… pic.twitter.com/qH0rZWlmfn

— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) August 31, 2025

Mirzoyan, in his own X post, said, “By this major step, our governments express their desire to develop mutually beneficial cooperation in line with the UN Charter and readiness to foster constructive engagement in multilateral fora.”

Today, with H.E. Deputy PM & FM of #Pakistan @MIshaqDar50 we announced a landmark development: we signed the Joint Communiqué on establishment of diplomatic relations between 🇦🇲 & 🇵🇰.

By this major step, our Governments express their desire to develop mutually beneficial… pic.twitter.com/SXwZkBjYci

— Ararat Mirzoyan (@AraratMirzoyan) August 31, 2025

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agreement brokered at the White House under US President Donald Trump’s auspices. “Pakistan welcomes the historic peace agreement … Pakistan has always stood by the brotherly nation of Azerbaijan and we stand with them at this proud moment of their history,” the PM said in a statement on X.