Armen Sarkissian
Who was Armen Sarkissian?
Fourth President of Armenia (2018-2022), theoretical physicist, and former ambassador to the United Kingdom who co-founded several technology companies.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Armen Sarkissian (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Armen Vardani Sarkissian was born on June 23, 1953, in Yerevan, Armenian SSR, and became one of Armenia's most well-known political and scientific figures. A trained theoretical physicist, Sarkissian studied at Yerevan State University, building a career in academia, diplomacy, business, and politics on multiple continents. His background in both science and international relations made him a key connection between Armenia and the world during the country's post-Soviet years.
Sarkissian started his diplomatic career in 1992 as Armenia's ambassador to the United Kingdom, becoming one of the longest-serving ambassadors to the UK. He served multiple terms in London (1992-1996, 1998-2013) and also represented Armenia as its first ambassador to major international institutions like the Vatican, the European Union, NATO, and the Benelux countries. His broad diplomatic experience earned him the title of "Senior Ambassador" to Europe, making him a main point of contact with Western institutions during crucial years of Armenia's independence.
In 1996, Sarkissian moved from diplomacy to domestic politics when he became Prime Minister of Armenia, serving until 1997. This role gave him direct experience in governing Armenia during its early years of independence. After his time as Prime Minister, he returned to diplomatic service and also pursued business ventures, co-founding several tech companies drawing on his physics and computer science background.
His international profile grew with his involvement in the World Economic Forum, where he was the first chairman of the Global Council on Energy Security. Sarkissian became a frequent commentator on international affairs, writing opinion pieces for major publications like The Times, Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, and Time magazine. In 2018, he became Armenia's fourth president, the first post-Soviet president born in the Armenian SSR. His presidency ended in 2022 when he resigned. Afterward, he published "The Small States Club: How Small Smart States can Save the World" in 2023, which was named as one of the year's notable books on international relations by the Diplomatic Courier.
Before Fame
Growing up in Soviet Armenia during the 1950s and 1960s, Sarkissian saw the high value placed on scientific education, especially in physics and mathematics, within the USSR. His early years coincided with the Space Race and the Soviet focus on technical education, which likely influenced his decision to study theoretical physics at Yerevan State University.
Sarkissian's rise to international prominence began during the last years of the Soviet Union, as Armenia was transitioning to independence. His background in science and his language skills made him well-suited for diplomatic roles, at a time when Armenia needed representatives who could effectively communicate with Western institutions and help build the newly independent nation's international relationships.
Key Achievements
- Served as fourth President of Armenia (2018-2022)
- Longest-serving ambassador to the United Kingdom from any country
- Prime Minister of Armenia (1996-1997)
- First chairman of the Global Council on Energy Security at the World Economic Forum
- Published internationally recognized book on small state diplomacy
Did You Know?
- 01.He holds the distinction of being Armenia's first ambassador to six different countries and international organizations simultaneously
- 02.Sarkissian was awarded the Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, one of Italy's highest honors
- 03.He served as chairman of the Global Council on Energy Security at the World Economic Forum before becoming president
- 04.His book 'The Small States Club' was listed alongside works by prominent authors Martin Wolf and Peter Frankopan as a must-read for 2023
- 05.He received the Order For Merit to the Fatherland - 1st degree from Russia in 2017, demonstrating his diplomatic reach across different political spheres
Family & Personal Life
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Order of St. Gregory the Great | — | — |
| Order For Merit to the Fatherland - 1st degree | 2017 | — |
| Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic | — | — |