imiМеждународная аналитикаJournal of International Analytics2587-84762541-9633MGIMO University10.46272/2587-8476-2024-15-4-137-157imi-596Research ArticleИССЛЕДОВАТЕЛЬСКИЕ СТАТЬИRESEARCH ARTICLESОт независимости к «революции»: эволюция дипломатической службы АрменииFrom Independence to “Revolution”: the Evolution of Armenia's Diplomatic ServiceМелконянС. Г.MelkonianS. G.

Сергей Георгиевич Мелконян, к.и.н., научный сотрудник Сектора кавказских исследований

117997, Россия, Москва, Нахимовский пр-т, 32

 

Sergei G. Melkonian, PhD, Research Fellow, Caucasus Studies Department, Institute of China and Contemporary Asia Russian Academy of Sciences

32, Nakhimovsky avenue, Moscow, Russia, 117997

sergei.g.melkonian@gmail.comДжалатянК. М.JalatyanК. М.

Кнарик Мурадовна Джалатян, программный координатор 

0069, Ереван, ул. Рубинянц, 23/1

Knarik M. Jalatyan, Program Coordinator, Armenian Research Institute

23/1, Rubinyants street, Yerevan, 0069

knarikmjalatyan@gmail.comИнститут Китая и современной Азии Российской академии наукАрменияICCA RASArmeniaАрмянский институт исследованийАрменияARIArmenia202416042025154137157Copyright © Мелконян С.Г., Джалатян К.М., 20252025Мелконян С.Г., Джалатян К.М.Melkonian S.G., Jalatyan К.М.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.https://www.interanalytics.org/jour/article/view/596

С момента обретения независимости в 1991 г. перед Арменией стоит непростая задача создания профессиональной дипломатической службы, что связано с необходимостью укрепления государственности и с потребностью ориентироваться на геополитической арене. В настоящем исследовании рассматривается эволюция внешнеполитического ведомства Армении с особым вниманием к таким важнейшим вехам, как принятие Закона о дипломатической службе в 2001 г. и создание Дипломатической школы Армении в 2009 году. С помощью анализа количественных данных и применения качественных методов, включая изучение первоисточников и интервью с бывшими дипломатами и учеными, предпринимается попытка ответить на вопрос о том, какова роль институтов, политических лидеров и внешних факторов в формировании дипломатической службы страны. Анализ показал, что особый вклад в ее первоначальное становление внесли бюрократические структуры советского периода, армянская диаспора и выпускники специализированных академических программ. В дальнейшем сменявшие друг друга правительства стремились к большей профессионализации службы посредством институциональных реформ. Тем не менее, Министерство иностранных дел зачастую сталкивалось с такими проблемами, как централизация и политизация процесса принятия решений. Последние события, произошедшие при «революционном» правительстве Никола Пашиняна, свидетельствуют об эрозии институциональных практик, включая ослабление роли Дипломатической школы и превалирование критерия политической лояльности над принципом меритократии при распределении должностей. В настоящем исследовании анализируются взаимосвязи между институциональным развитием, бюрократической политикой и суверенитетом в дипломатии Армении. Таким образом, работа вносит вклад в понимание процессов государственного строительства в постсоветских государствах. В статье делается вывод о том, что, хотя Армения добилась значительного прогресса в институционализации дипломатической службы, для сохранения этих достижений необходимо нивелировать актуальные тенденции, которые подрывают ее эффективность.

Since gaining its independence in 1991, Armenia has faced the complex task of building a professional diplomatic service to support its statehood and navigate a challenging geopolitical landscape. This study examines the evolution of Armenia’s diplomatic service, focusing on critical milestones such as the adoption of the Law on Diplomatic Service (2001) and the establishment of the Diplomatic School of Armenia (2009). Using a mixed-methods approach, including primary source research and interviews with former diplomats and scholars, the study examines how institutional frameworks, political leadership, and external pressures have shaped the country’s foreign service. The findings reveal that Armenia’s diplomatic service was initially influenced by Soviet-era bureaucratic structures, supplemented by contributions from the Armenian diaspora and local graduates of specialized academic programs. Over time, successive administrations sought to professionalize the service through institutional reforms. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has frequently struggled with challenges such as centralization and politicization of decision-making. Recent developments under Nikol Pashinyan’s 'revolutionary' government highlight the erosion of institutionalized practices, including the weakening of the Diplomatic School’s role and the prioritization of political loyalty over merit-based appointments. This paper contributes to the understanding of state-building in post-Soviet contexts by analyzing the interplay between institutional development, bureaucratic politics, and sovereignty in Armenia’s diplomacy. The study concludes that while Armenia has made significant progress in institutionalizing its diplomatic service, sustaining these achievements requires addressing current trends that undermine its effectiveness.

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The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest present.