Armenia and Kuwait relations poised for a new chapter of growth

By Reaven D’Souza
Executive Managing Editor

On 21 September this year, the Republic of Armenia and Armenians worldwide, celebrate the 34th anniversary since the re-establishment of the independent Statehood of Armenia. On this day, back in 1991, the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic held a referendum where an overwhelming majority of 99.5 percent of eligible voters responded positively to the question of the Republic’s independence from the Soviet Union.

“The three and half decades since then were quite challenging periods as Armenia experienced devastating war, flood of refugees, energy and resource shortages, political instability, enormous military expenditures alongside with a siege and disrupted communications, all of which have had a clear-cut footprint on our current level of development.

Today we face a completely different reality, when the future of Armenia and its inhabitants looks much brighter, with the most immediate change being a profound sense of geopolitical security and clarity.”

Assessing the current state of political relations between Armenia and Kuwait, and the top priorities moving forward, the ambassador stated: “The current state of political relations between Armenia and Kuwait can be assessed as friendly, stable, and founded on a deep mutual respect.

We enjoy a solid foundation of diplomatic relations, which have been characterized by consistency and a shared commitment to the principles of international law, peace, and mutual understanding. There have been no points of friction in our political dialogue, which allows us to focus our energies entirely on building a more dynamic and prosperous future together.

“While our interactions on the international stage, particularly within organizations like the United Nations or UNESCO, have been positive and aligned on many issues of mutual and global concern, we recognize the immense potential to deepen and broaden this engagement and to elaborate a system where involvements and political deliberations in different multilateral structures does not harm each other’s national interests.

“Armenian-Kuwaiti relations are currently positively poised for a new chapter of growth. The priority of the Armenian diplomatic mission in Kuwait, is to transform our warm and stable friendship into a vibrant, multi-dimensional partnership that delivers tangible benefits and fosters a shared future of prosperity and peace.”

Expanding on Armenia’s ‘Crossroads of Peace’ initiative, and the country’s evolving regional role, Ambassador Arakelyan explained: “The ‘Crossroads of Peace’ initiative, put forth by the Government of Armenia back in 2023, is a visionary project aimed at unlocking unprecedented economic growth and sustainable peace for the entire South Caucasus and beyond. It is about building bridges to connect East and West, North and South; it is about creating new routes of stability and prosperity.

“We are greatly encouraged by the positive and principled reception the initiative has received from our friends and partners, including Kuwait. At the diplomatic and official levels, Kuwait has consistently expressed its strong support for the principles that underpin the peace process in the South Caucasus and the ‘Crossroads of Peace’ initiative; in particular, the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, equality, and mutual economic benefit. Kuwait’s traditional and respected foreign policy, which emphasizes peacemaking, dialogue, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts, aligns perfectly with the core objectives of the ‘Crossroads of Peace’.

“In terms of practical involvement, our discussions are ongoing and constructive. We actively work to translate Kuwait’s principled support into deeper economic partnerships. We see a tremendous opportunity for Kuwaiti financial institutions and investment authorities to become key stakeholders in this future network of connectivity, investing not just in infrastructure but in a vision of regional stability. The potential for collaboration is vast, and we are confident that as the project continues to develop, we will see greater tangible participation.”

On plans for high-level visits aimed to elevate bilateral political dialogue in the coming year, the ambassador noted: “The cultivation of high-level dialogue is a cornerstone of diplomacy, and it is an area where I see significant opportunity for growth. With our Kuwaiti partners we are in a phase of active and positive discussions regarding the calendar for the coming year. There is a shared understanding on both sides of the importance of sustained high-level engagement to deepen our political and economic ties.

“While specific dates for state visits are still being coordinated through diplomatic channels, the intent and the mutual desire to elevate our dialogue are undoubtedly present. We are very hopeful that the coming year will see a strengthening of inter-state and inter-personal exchanges. The interested groups within our respective bodies, public and private institutions are powerful vehicles for building the people-to-people connections that form the bedrock of a strong partnership.

Meanwhile, the leadership in both states always seize the opportunity to meet on the sidelines of multilateral fora and gatherings, to exchange views on various issues of mutual interest and discuss issues of global agenda. We attach great importance to such interaction that allows us to proceed with our bilateral agenda as well.”

Speaking about trade between the two countries and the sectors being targeted to further expand bilateral trade, the Armenian envoy stressed, “Whereas our current trade volumes are a foundation, they represent just the first page of a much larger and promising story we are writing together. Our focus is not on the numbers of today, but on the immense opportunities of tomorrow. We are strategically targeting several high-growth sectors where our economies exhibit beautiful complementarity:

Information Technology and High-Tech is our flagship sector for collaboration. Armenia, often called the “Silicon Valley of the Caucasus,” is eager to showcase its world-class engineering talent, innovative startups, and robust cybersecurity capabilities to Kuwait. We see a powerful synergy between Kuwait’s visionary ‘New Kuwait 2035’ development plan, with its emphasis on a digital economy, and Armenia’s vibrant tech ecosystem. We are actively promoting partnerships, knowledge exchange, and direct investment in this field.

“Moreover, the US$500 million private project with the support of the Government of Armenia and American NVIDIA company, to build the first AI supercomputing data center in the South Caucasus in Armenia, will be launched in the coming year. This is a project to be implemented in Armenia for the benefit of the world and we see significant room for Kuwait and for any other interested country to participate in and to make profit from this project that aligns perfectly with the broader opportunities for cooperation.

“Tourism and Hospitality is another sector where there is a magnificent, yet under-explored, potential for tourism expansion in both nations. We are working to introduce Kuwait to Armenia’s unique offerings as a year-round destination, from our ancient historical sites and UNESCO heritage to our stunning ski resorts and wellness retreats. Conversely, we are encouraging more Armenian tourists to experience Kuwait’s rich culture, modern architecture, and iconic waterfront. Enhancing direct air connectivity is a key priority in making this a reality.
“Agriculture and Food Security is a sector where Armenia produces exceptionally high-quality organic produce, including fresh and canned vegetables, fresh and dried fruits, raw meat and livestock etc. We are targeting the premium segments of the Kuwaiti market, introducing Armenian gourmet products to consumers who value quality and origin. This aligns perfectly with Kuwait’s focus on food security and diversifying its import sources with healthy, reliable products.

“In the Education and Scientific Capacity Building area, we are fostering connections between universities and scientific institutions in both countries. Student exchange programs are ongoing, and we are pleased to receive yearly scholarships from Kuwait University provided to Yerevan State University. Hence, Kuwait’s academic centers can become partners with Armenia’s strong schools in medicine, mathematics, physics, and technology, creating exchange programs and joint research initiatives.

“On trade and economic cooperation, I would reiterate that our approach is one of building bridges. We are not just waiting for trade to happen; we are proactively creating the conditions for it through business forums, B2B matchmaking events, and cultural showcases that introduce the ‘Armenian Brand’ to our Kuwaiti friends and the ‘Kuwaiti Brand’ to Armenia. With patience, persistence, and continued positive engagement, I am optimistic that we will soon see these sectors blossom, bringing our nations closer together in a mutually beneficial trade and economic partnership.

“In this regard I would specially highlight the role of the Embassy of Kuwait in Armenia, and the newly appointed Kuwaiti ambassador H.E. Muhammad Aloreifan, who shares the same vision and does his utmost to see the seeds of cooperation growing and blossoming. “

Encouraging Kuwaiti investors to explore opportunities in Armenia, particularly in sectors like renewable energy, construction, agriculture, and technology, Ambassador Arakelyan stated: “With Kuwait’s advanced experience in large-scale project management and investment, and Armenia’s growing expertise in renewable energy, management solutions, IT and AI, and sustainable development, there is a strong basis for joint ventures.

“We see opportunities not only for Kuwaiti investment in Armenian projects or vice versa, but also Armenian-Kuwaiti technological collaboration on modern infrastructure development throughout the region. Armenia is a growing market, and being a member of bigger multimillion integrative formats like Eurasian Economic Union, we are happy to provide Armenian networking and expertise with its wider scope.

In turn, there are ongoing discussions aimed to enhance our partnership with the entire GCC region and the esteemed Council itself, we would be happy to ensure Kuwait’s leading role in this scope. In short: Armenia can provide Kuwait easy access to the Eurasian Economic Union, and Kuwait can reciprocate by facilitating Armenian partnership with other GCC member countries.”

Highlighting the vibrant and growing connections between peoples of the two states, particularly in the field of tourism, the ambassador said: ”We are undertaking a number of exciting and targeted efforts to introduce the unique treasures of Armenia to our Kuwaiti friends and travelers. In this regard, we are extremely happy to state that starting from this July, Kuwaiti Jazeera Airways operates direct flights between Kuwait and Yerevan, and this contributes greatly as for growing tourism flow, as well as for establishing people-to-people contacts as well as for founding sound ties in various fields, including business, trade etc.

“Our tourism strategy is multifaceted, designed to showcase the rich tapestry of experiences Armenia offers. We actively highlight Armenia’s status as a nation with rich cultural art, and scientific heritage. We promote visits and journeys to our ancient monasteries and churches, located mostly in breathtaking landscapes, such as the majestic Tatev Monastery, accessible by the ‘Wings of Tatev’ aerial tramway.

“We are working closely with tour operators in Kuwait to design curated packages that include world heritage sites, alongside with our vibrant culture of art, music, painting, sculpturing and dance. I would personally highly recommend to any Kuwaiti visiting Armenia to find 1 or 2 days for visiting our second largest city, Gyumri, which is amazing in offering a rich culture and outstanding traditional cuisine.

“Regarding medical tourism, I am proud that Armenia has emerged as a destination for high-quality, affordable medical care. We are promoting our world-class services in dentistry, cosmetic surgery, cardiology, and orthopedic procedures. Our efforts include facilitating partnerships between Armenian clinics and Kuwaiti medical travel agencies, ensuring seamless, comfortable, and professional experiences for patients and their families.

We emphasize the combination of top-tier and affordable medical treatment with the opportunity for a peaceful and scenic recovery. “We are incredibly optimistic about the future of tourism between our two nations. There is a growing curiosity about Armenia in Kuwait, and we are dedicated to meeting that interest with open arms and unforgettable experiences. Of course, there are many obstacles and pitfalls on the way, but we are looking forward and are optimistic that all issues will be soon solved and mutually acceptable solutions will be offered. The journey has just begun, and the path ahead is exceptionally bright.”

On the role of the Armenian community in Kuwait in fostering bilateral political and cultural understanding, the envoy noted: “Armenians have been living in this beautiful country for decades. They are known for their contributions to Kuwait’s development, particularly in fields like medicine, engineering, education, and business. With their commitment, hardworking skills and education-oriented business profiles they deserved the right to live with dignity and to create values on this fertile soil.

“This longstanding presence means that generations of Kuwaitis have grown up with Armenian colleagues, doctors, teachers, schoolmates and friends. This personal human connection is the strongest antidote to misunderstanding and the strongest promoter of genuine political goodwill. It creates a natural constituency in Kuwait that views Armenia not as a distant abstract country but through the lens of positive personal relationships.

“Armenians in Kuwait are not merely a group of residents; their community is a living bridge, a vibrant human tapestry that has been woven into the social and cultural fabric of Kuwait for over a century. Their role in fostering bilateral understanding between our two nations is profound, multifaceted, and truly indispensable.

“It is a unique narrative of mutual respect and integration. By packaging this narrative into experiential tourism and educational programs, we do more than boost tourist numbers; we foster a deeper, people-to-people understanding that will benefit both our nations for generations to come. The diaspora is the living bridge, and we are committed to building upon it.