Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Wednesday said Armenia welcomes the “crucial decision” between the United States and Iran to cease all hostilities.

“Armenia welcomes the crucial decision between US & Iran to cease all hostilities. We also commend the mediation efforts, including those of Pakistan & firmly believe that diplomacy should prevail to resolve all outstanding issues & preserve peace in the Middle East,” Pashinyan said in a statement on X.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced the agreement late on Tuesday, just two hours before a deadline he had set for Iran to open the blockaded Strait of ‌Hormuz or face the destruction of its “whole civilisation”.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he had invited Iranian and U.S. delegations to meet in Islamabad on Friday for talks. 

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan visited Kotayk region to get acquainted with programs implemented in various settlements, the PM’s Office said in a readout.

The Prime Minister’s first stop was the secondary school in Mrgashen, Nor Hachn community. It was renovated under the Government’s “300 Schools to be Built, Renovated or Reconstructed by 2026” program. The total cost of construction amounted to 248 million 514 thousand drams. The school is designed for 303 students.

In the same community, Pashinyan also visited the pepper greenhouse of the “Nuvo Vilaj” company in Nor Geghi. Within the framework of the “Support to the Development of Greenhouse Farms in the Republic of Armenia” program, the Government supported the establishment of a 5.2-hectare greenhouse. The project was implemented with a loan of about 2 billion 640 million drams, with a full interest subsidy of 10%.

The Prime Minister then visited a kindergarten in Bujakan, Nairi community. The facility, designed for 90 children, was renovated under a subsidy program. The total cost amounted to 470 million 180 thousand drams, 70% of which—about 329 million drams—was financed by the Government.

In Charentsavan, the Prime Minister was briefed on the reconstruction of a 2-kilometer road of republican significance leading to the Bjni Fortress historical and cultural reserve. The project cost 104 million drams. Pashinyan highlighted the importance of the road in promoting tourism and increasing visitor flows.

He also toured the rose greenhouse of the “Pion” company in Fantan, established under the same state support program with approximately 3 billion drams in loan funding.

In Qaghsi, Hrazdan community, the Prime Minister visited a renovated secondary school implemented within the “300 Schools” program. The project cost 377 million 880 thousand drams and the school is designed for 403 students.

Pashinyan then visited the “Alternative” youth center in Aghavnadzor, Tsaghkadzor community. Under a grant program, a 300-square-meter area was renovated and equipped. The total cost was 36 million 983 thousand drams, 59% of which—about 21 million 708 thousand drams—was provided by the Government.

In Abovyan, the Prime Minister toured a newly built kindergarten in Balahovit. The project cost about 165 million 544 thousand drams, with 70%—approximately 115 million 881 thousand drams—funded by the Government. The facility is designed for 70 children.

In Nor Gyugh, Akunk community, he reviewed another newly built kindergarten designed for 90 children. The total cost amounted to about 263 million 144 thousand drams, of which 70%—around 184 million 200 thousand drams—was financed by the Government.

Finally, the Prime Minister visited the V. Karapetyan Secondary School in Dzoraghbyur, Jrvezh community, renovated under the “300 Schools” program. The project cost exceeded 205 million drams and the school is designed for 259 students.

Inter Milan midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan paid tribute to Mircea Lucescu, the Romanian football manager who passed away at the age of 80 on Tuesday.

Lucescu was the manager of Shakhtar Donetsk when the former Armenian international played there.

“Mister, you were one of my very first coaches – the one who gave me the opportunity to grow and begin my international career. I will forever be thankful to you for giving me the chance to live what I had dreamed about since I was a boy. Thank you for your guidance, your trust, and for helping shape the player and the person I am today. Football has lost a true gentleman and a true visionary of the game. Rest in peace, Mister. You will always hold a very special place in my heart. My heart is crying,” Mkhitaryan said on social media, posting a photo with Lucescu holding his number 22 Shakhtar Donetsk jersey.

A parliamentary committee on Wednesday approved a bill drafted by the Ministry of Economy seeking to reform and modernize Armenia’s legal framework for investments, thereby defining guarantees and protections.

Applying to both foreign and domestic investors, the new regulation establishes the legal framework for investments in the Republic of Armenia, the rights, freedoms, and guarantees applicable to investors and their investments, the framework for protecting investors’ rights, investors’ obligations, the legal basis for investment incentives, and more.

Lilia Sirakanyan, Deputy Minister of Economy of Armenia, stated at the parliamentary committee on economic affairs that the aim of the bill is to establish a legal framework for investment relationships that meets modern requirements for both domestic and foreign investors.

The Deputy Minister also noted that the current law on foreign investments, adopted in 1994, does not provide comprehensive regulation aligned with the contemporary needs of the investment process.

“One of the key features of the draft law is that its provisions will apply not only to foreign but also to domestic investors and their investments. Currently, the existing law applies solely to foreign investors and does not regulate legal relations involving domestic investors,” Sirakanyan said.

She added that the law enshrines the principle of non-discrimination through both the national treatment and most-favored-nation (MFN) regimes.

Under the national treatment regime, foreign investors will have the same rights, freedoms, and obligations as domestic investors. The MFN regime ensures that an investor from a foreign state can expect the same favorable treatment from the Republic of Armenia as is applied to any other foreign investor.

Sirakanyan noted that exceptions apply only to customs unions, free economic zones, economic unions, and other provisions established by international agreements.

According to the Deputy Minister, the draft also aims to consolidate investors’ rights and guarantees, which are currently scattered across various laws and legal acts, into a single legal instrument.

The bill will be debated at the upcoming plenary session of Parliament.

The bill was earlier approved at the Cabinet meeting in February.

Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Kristine Ghalechyan met with Khalil Shirgholami, Iran’s ambassador to Armenia.

According to the ministry’s readout, Ghalechyan emphasized the importance of implementing joint projects in infrastructure development.

During the meeting, the programs being carried out in the field of infrastructure development were discussed, with particular attention given to the construction progress of the Kajaran–Agarak road section.

Ghalechyan emphasized that, thanks to the efforts invested in the project and the active work of the Iranian company involved, it will be possible to complete the work within the planned timeframe in 2027.

The National Centre for Vocational Education and Training Development (NCVETD) of Armenia has become a member of the UNEVOC Network, UNESCO’s global network for technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions.

By reinforcing institutional capacities and supporting skills development, the UNEVOC Network helps improve employability outcomes for young people and adults. The newly designated UNEVOC Centres contribute valuable insights in areas such as policy development, research, and the design of capacity-building initiatives for upskilling and reskilling.

The Global Developments Funds (GDF) from Armenia also earlier joined the network.

Amb. Pierre-Yves Fux, Assistant State Secretary and Head of the Eurasia Division at the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex in Yerevan on April 8. He was accompanied by the Ambassador of Switzerland to Armenia, Andrea Barbara Baumann, the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute said in a press release. 

Pierre-Yves Fux is in Armenia for political consultations between the Armenian and Swiss foreign ministries.

Pierre-Yves Fux and Andrea Barbara Baumann laid flowers at the Eternal Flame and observed a moment of silence in honor of the victims of the Armenian Genocide. They then toured the museum’s exhibitions. Pierre-Yves Fux also signed the honorary guestbook.

Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan met with a group of businesses exporting goods to the United States and the EU. Papoyan had issued a public invitation to such businesses earlier in March, asking them to register online for the meeting.

“I met with representatives of companies exporting to the United States and the European Union. I emphasized the importance of economic diversification and the Government’s readiness to support businesses in promoting Armenian products in new and broader markets, particularly in the United States, the European Union, Canada, and several other destinations.

The participants presented the main challenges they face in their activities, for which appropriate clarifications and instructions were provided,” Papoyan wrote on social media. 

Armenia’s Minister of Environment, Hambardzum Matevosyan, held a meeting with Ambassador Vassilis Maragos, Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia.

Matevosyan and Maragos reaffirmed the importance of cooperation between the Republic of Armenia and the European Union, particularly in the areas of environmental protection and climate action, which are key components of the partnership, according to the ministry’s readout.

The progress of joint programs and upcoming priorities was discussed. Emphasis was placed on EU-supported initiatives aimed at climate change mitigation and adaptation, the development of a circular economy, the improvement of water resource management, and the preservation of Lake Sevan.

The minister presented ongoing legislative and institutional reforms in the environmental sector, highlighting the process of alignment with EU standards.

The parties also discussed preparations for the upcoming 17th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17), to be held in Armenia, stressing the importance of close and coordinated cooperation with the EU.

The sides reaffirmed their readiness to continue effective cooperation aimed at achieving shared goals in environmental protection and sustainable development.