In an in-depth broadcast hosted by Noyan Tapan, host Gayane Arakelyan sat down with former Armenian Minister of Finance Levon Barkhudaryan to examine the critical geopolitical and economic shifts facing Armenia. The conversation covered pressing debates surrounding regional transport corridors, energy dependence, foreign policy integration, tax policy reforms, and judicial integrity.
Demystifying the Transit Corridor: Shielding Sovereignty, Not Paving Turan
Addressing public anxiety and prevailing political narratives regarding the proposed Trade and Transportation Infrastructure Project (TRIPP)—often criticized by opponents as a vehicle for Pan-Turkic expansion—Barkhudaryan forcefully rejected the idea that the corridor aligns with “Turan” ambitions.
He argued that narrative pushed by Russian state sources aims to deter the Armenian public from supporting Western-backed infrastructure initiatives.
“The Americans haven’t established TRIPP to hand control over to the Turks,” Barkhudaryan noted. “If that were their intention, they wouldn’t have created this framework at all.
They would have simply told the Turks to manage it themselves. Western involvement ensures joint Armenian-American oversight, serving as a buffer against Pan-Turkic expansion rather than a catalyst for it”.
Addressing concerns that Western involvement might sever Armenia’s critical trade links with Iran, Barkhudaryan recalled the early years of Armenian independence when similar security and economic blockades forced Yerevan to navigate Western sanctions delicate balance. He emphasized that current energy swaps—exchanging Iranian gas for electricity—do not represent the “monetization of Iranian oil” threatened by U.S. sanctions, provided Armenia maintains clear and transparent communication with Washington.
EU Aspirations and the Overhaul of State Institutions
As Armenia reassesses its security arrangements with the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and explores European integration, Barkhudaryan stressed that external powers cannot dictate internal democratic procedures, such as holding referendums.
While expressing confidence that a majority of the Armenian electorate supports European Union integration, Barkhudaryan warned against bureaucratic passivity within the government. To successfully align with EU legal standards, he advocated structural reforms in governance, including the creation of a dedicated Deputy Prime Minister position tasked solely with coordinating European integration.
“Integrating with the European Union is not just a political declaration; it requires rigorous work,” Barkhudaryan stated. “Adopting international standards and improving human rights safeguards are essential structural reforms that benefit Armenia regardless of the final timeline for formal membership”.
Economic Equity, Tax Reforms, and Anti-Corruption Efforts
Turning to domestic policy, Barkhudaryan provided a critical review of the government’s action plan for the coming years. While praising infrastructure investments in road construction, school renovations, and irrigation networks, he raised concerns over tax policy choices, specifically raising turnover tax thresholds for small and medium-sized enterprises. He argued that broad exemptions disproportionately benefit large enterprises that split operations to evade standard taxation, ultimately squeezing honest taxpayers and depriving the state budget.
Furthermore, Barkhudaryan emphasized that robust anti-corruption measures must go beyond high-profile detentions and security raids. True systemic integrity, he argued, requires competitive civil service compensation, reliable social safety nets, and an independent judicial system capable of delivering timely, definitive verdicts.
“The public needs concrete judicial rulings, not just procedural drama,” Barkhudaryan concluded. “Justice must be executed swiftly through due process to root out systemic abuse and build lasting public trust in the state”.
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