On November 25, a protocol on establishing diplomatic relations was signed between the Republic of Armenia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The signing took place in Abu Dhabi, with Karen Grigoryan, the ambassador of Armenia to the UAE, and Sultan bin Abdallah Al-Ankar, the ambassador of Saudi Arabia, representing their respective countries.

As reported by the Armenian Foreign Ministry, the document on the establishment of diplomatic relations indicates both countries’ desire “to consolidate the bonds of fruitful cooperation between the two countries in the fields of politics, economy, technology, development, trade, and culture, and to embody the two countries' aspirations towards establishing the best relations and cordial connections between them in various fields."

Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan highlighted the imminent establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Saudi Arabia as a significant development in a live broadcast a day before. He expressed optimism about the ongoing progress in the process.

Saudi Arabia reportedly declined to establish diplomatic relations with Armenia, citing the Karabakh conflict. Riyadh stated that it will not establish diplomatic ties with Armenia until the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is restored. The change in the oil-rich kingdom’s policy towards Yerevan is believed to be influenced by the deterioration of Riyadh’s relations with Ankara and its close ally, Baku, in recent years.