In 1972-74 he served in the Soviet Army. In 1982 he graduated from the Yerevan Polytechnic Institute and upon graduation in 1971 started working in the Stepanakert Electro-Technical Factory. From 1980 he had been occupying various positions in Komsomol  (Young Communist’s League) and Communist organizations.

In 1989 and 1990 he was elected as a Deputy of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia. In 1991 he was elected as a Deputy of the National Assembly of the Republic of Karabakh. Since February 1989 he has been among the most active leaders of the Karabakh movement. He associated with “Krunk” (political organization) and initiated foundation of the “Union” organization. In August 1992 Robert Kocharyan took the post of Chairman of the State Committee of Defense and later was appointed Prime Minister of Karabakh. On December 24, 1994 following the decision of the National Assembly of Karabakh and the 1996 November Presidential Elections, Robert Kocharyan was elected as President of the Republic of Karabakh.

Since March 1997 he has been the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia.

He is married and has three children.