Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has been awarded the Hessian Peace Prize for his peace efforts in the South Caucasus. The Hessian State Parliament announced this in a press release on August 20, 2026.
Born in 1976, the former journalist founded the “Civic Contract” party in Armenia in 2011 and was elected Prime Minister of Armenia following the “Velvet Revolution” in 2018. Since then, Pashinyan has oriented Armenian policy toward Europe without allowing the conflict with Russia, which traditionally considers Armenia its ally in the region, to escalate. Since 2025, the goal of EU accession has had the force of law in Armenia. In the conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, Pashinyan negotiated a peace treaty with Azerbaijani President Aliyev, which was signed in the United States in August 2025.
State Parliament President Astrid Wallmann, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Hessian Peace Prize, said: “This award sends a clear message about the significance that democracy can have. By strengthening democratic institutions in Armenia, a new perspective is emerging for the entire region. Prime Minister Pashinyan is also charting a new, hopeful course in the conflict with neighboring Azerbaijan. The Hessian Peace Prize is intended to help permanently consolidate the progress that has been made.”
Karl Starzacher, former President of the State Parliament, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Hessian Peace Prize, and former Minister of State, emphasized: “The course taken by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is particularly worthy of the Peace Prize. Instead of relying on rhetorical or military escalation, he focuses on diplomacy, international mediation, and political negotiations. His policy is aimed less at short-term assertiveness than at gradually opening up political space. This not only requires political courage and foresight but also demonstrates the close connection between peace and democracy.”
Prof. Dr. Nicole Deitelhoff said: “This award recognizes Pashinyan’s steadfast commitment to nonviolence in one of the most historically intractable conflicts in the post-Soviet space. In this highly emotional conflict, which has spanned generations, Pashinyan’s approach is particularly remarkable. For both his political rise during the nonviolent ‘Velvet Revolution’ of 2018 and his handling of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict are shaped by the goal of not perpetuating violence and avoiding military escalation. In doing so, he does not shy away from unpopular decisions. It is precisely this conscious choice for nonviolence under extreme conditions that underpins his special significance in the field of peace policy.”
The award is endowed with 25,000 euros and has been presented by the Albert Osswald Foundation since 1994. The award is intended to honor individuals who have rendered outstanding service to peace and international understanding. It was established by the former Minister President of Hesse, Albert Osswald, and his family. The PRIF advises the Board of Trustees on the awarding of the Peace Prize. In 2021, the award ceremony was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic; in subsequent years, the laureates were honored for the previous year. With the combined award cycle for 2025 and 2026, the schedule will return to normal.