EU visas issued to Armenian citizens increase significantly, says minister

Emil Lazarian
Armenia17:11, 20 May 2026
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The number of EU visas issued to Armenian citizens has increased significantly since 2019, Minister of Internal Affairs Arpine Sargsyan has said.

Sargsyan made the remarks during a discussion on Armenia’s first progress report under the EU Visa Liberalization Action Plan (VLAP), alongside Johannes Luchner, Deputy Director-General at the Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs of the European Commission.

Minister Sargsyan is Armenia’s lead negotiator on the VLAP with the EU.

Armenia received its first progress report from the EU on the visa liberalization action plan on May 5 during the first Armenia–EU Summit in Yerevan.

The minister emphasized that not only has the total number of visas issued increased, but also the share of long-term multiple-entry visas. In 2019, 51,000 Schengen visas were issued to Armenian citizens, of which 34.8% were multiple-entry visas. In 2024, the total rose to 86,300, with 43.5% issued as multiple-entry visas. At the same time, the refusal rate remained relatively stable, at 13.2% in 2019 and 12.4% in 2024.

According to Sargsyan, there are still issues related to document completion, appointment availability, and public awareness; however, partner countries are working to improve the capacity of their consular services.

The minister expressed confidence that if the process continues at the current pace, Armenian citizens will in the near future be relieved of complex visa application procedures, as the process is further streamlined.

Addressing the potential timeline for EU visa liberalization, the minister said it is not appropriate to set specific deadlines, as regardless of how well Armenia completes the process, the final decision rests with the European side, which is both logical and standard practice.

At the same time, Sargsyan emphasized that Armenia aims to complete the process properly within 2–3 years of the launch of the dialogue, particularly considering the final stage of introducing the biometric system.

“Let me note that Armenia has recorded higher-than-expected progress in several sensitive areas, including the biometric system, border management, migration, and asylum. EU partners should be confident that the ongoing reforms are based on sustainable and principled approaches,” she said.

The minister also addressed concerns about potential migration risks in the context of EU visa liberalization, stressing that if such concerns were valid, Armenia would not have reached this stage. She noted that 2025 was the first year in which a positive balance between entries and exits of Armenian citizens was recorded, amounting to 8,660 people.

In addition, Armenia continues to effectively implement its obligations under readmission agreements with the EU.

“If in 2016, 7,795 Armenian citizens applied for asylum in EU countries, then in 2024 that number was 5,130, and in 2025 it was 3,535. These figures show that concerns about emigration are not substantiated, and that Armenia has become a more attractive and safer country,” Sargsyan said.

Johannes Luchner, Deputy Director-General at the Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs of the European Commission, noted that the process is highly demanding and must be implemented with quality. According to him, at the final stage it will be necessary to convince all 27 EU member states and a majority in the European Parliament that the process is complete and credible.

Deputy Director-General Johannes Luchner emphasized that the introduction of a visa-free regime should be not only fast, but also stable and effective.

“There are difficulties in the visa issuance process in EU countries, but member states are working to increase the capacity of consular services and reduce the number of rejections,” he added.

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Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 20-05-

Nahapetian Samvel
Economy16:54, 20 May 2026
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YEREVAN, 20 MAY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 20 May, USD exchange rate down by 0.34 drams to 367.87 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 1.21 drams to 426.69 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.0083 drams to 5.1458 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 0.79 drams to 492.8 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price down by 862 drams to 53184 drams. Silver price up by 2.84 drams to 899.35 drams.

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Armenia reaffirms its support for OPCW activities through voluntary contributi

Maral Chavushian
May 20 2026

A contribution of EUR 10,000 will support the “Workshop on Policy and Diplomacy for scientists 2026” and OPCW activities related to the Syrian Arab Republic

20 May 2026

THE HAGUE, Netherlands—20 May 2026— The Government of the Republic of Armenia has voluntarily contributed EUR 10,000 to the Trust Fund for Training and the Trust Fund for Syria Missions. 

Armenia’s voluntary contribution of EUR 5,000 will support a joint “Workshop on Policy and Diplomacy for scientists 2026” co-hosted by the OPCW Technical Secretariat and the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) Implementation Support Unit. The programme is primarily designed for young scientists who hold a PhD in natural sciences or a related field, from Member States with economies that are developing or in transition. The workshop will cover policy, diplomacy, scientific advances, and cross-cutting issues related to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the BWC and will foster dialogue on the role of scientists in implementing these treaties and the challenges involved. 

An additional voluntary contribution of EUR 5,000 will support Syria-related missions and activities carried out by the OPCW Technical Secretariat to implement its mandate. Its objectives include establishing the full scope of Syria’s chemical weapons programme, verifying all declarable elements, supporting the development and implementation of a destruction plan, and investigating allegations of chemical weapons use, including the identification of those responsible. 

The voluntary contribution was formalised on 12 May 2026 in a signing ceremony held between the Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Armenia to the OPCW, H.E. Mr Viktor Biyagov, and the OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Fernando Arias, at the Organisation’s Headquarters in The Hague. 

Ambassador Biyagov stated: “Armenia’s contributions in these areas reflect a deep understanding of the importance of the activities carried out by the OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology (the ChemTech Centre), as well as support for the OPCW Technical Secretariat’s efforts in relation to Syria.” 

Director-General Arias stated: “I wish to thank Armenia for its steadfast support for the Technical Secretariat’s work in fulfilling its mandate. With the concrete support of our Member States, including Armenia’s contribution today, the ChemTech Centre will be able to further realise its full potential and enhance its capacity-building activities for the benefit of all Member States. The Secretariat will also be better positioned to support Syria in fulfilling its obligations under the Convention.” 

Background 

Armenia has been an active member of the OPCW since the Chemical Weapons Convention entered into force in 1997.  

The “Workshop on Policy and Diplomacy for scientists 2026” will provide a forum for young scientists to learn about the role of science in fostering global peace and security, with a focus on disarmament and non-proliferation. It will cover seven key areas, including the role of science diplomacy, the chemistry-biology convergence in Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), and the ethical challenges posed by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence in the chemical and biotechnology sectors. 

The fall of the Assad government in December 2024 created an opportunity to uncover the full scope of Syria’s chemical weapons programme and to eliminate it in line with the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). In February 2025, the OPCW Director-General visited Syria and held separate meetings with the Syrian President and Foreign Minister. They expressed Syria’s recognition of all OPCW mandates, including the identification of perpetrators of chemical weapons use in Syria and reaffirmed Syria’s full commitment to fulfilling its obligations under the CWC. In March 2025, the Syrian Foreign Minister visited the OPCW and addressed the Executive Council, where he renewed Syria’s commitment to the Convention.  

Since the visit by the Director-General to Damascus in February 2025, the OPCW Technical Secretariat deployed several times to Syria, involving visits to suspected locations, sampling, interviews, collection of documents related to Syria’s chemical weapons programme, and coordination.  

As the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, the OPCW, with its 193 Member States, oversees the global endeavour to permanently eliminate chemical weapons. Since the Convention’s entry into force in 1997, it is the most successful disarmament treaty eliminating an entire class of weapons of mass destruction. 

In 2023, the OPCW verified that all chemical weapons stockpiles declared by the 193 States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention since 1997 — totalling 72,304 metric tonnes of chemical agents — have been irreversibly destroyed under the OPCW’s strict verification regime. 

For its extensive efforts in eliminating chemical weapons, the OPCW received the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize. 

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EAEU customs regulations, technical standards discussed at Eurasian Economic C

Liana Toganian
Economy20:22, 20 May 2026
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Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan took part via video link in a regular meeting of the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission, the Armenian government said.

During the session, participants discussed around two dozen issues, primarily related to customs regulations and technical standards within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union.

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Judicial reforms, digitalisation discussed at meeting between Supreme Judicial

Baghdasarian Karlen
Law20:31, 20 May 2026
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Supreme Judicial Council of Armenia Chairman Artur Atabekyan has received a delegation led by Lilja Gretarsdottir, head of the Human Rights and Justice Cooperation Department at the Council of Europe, the Judicial Department said in a statement.

Welcoming the delegation, Atabekyan expressed gratitude to the Council of Europe for its support provided within the framework of the “Support to the Implementation of Judicial Reforms in Armenia” programme.

He highlighted effective cooperation in developing legal regulations on appeal procedures for decisions of the Supreme Judicial Council, as well as the provision of expert opinions and professional consultations aimed at improving court administration procedures, describing them as a significant contribution to the efficient organisation of justice and the institutional development of the judicial system.

The sides also discussed reforms aimed at reducing court workload, implemented with the substantial involvement of Council of Europe experts and programmes, along with related statistics.

In this context, particular attention was paid to the prospects for developing alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, with emphasis on the institution of mediation.

The meeting also addressed priorities and future directions to be included in the new Council of Europe-Armenia Action Plan currently under development.

Discussions further focused on the digitalisation of the judicial system and the use of artificial intelligence, regulations on personal data protection and data anonymisation in courts, as well as the importance of developing new comprehensive solutions aimed at easing the burden on courts.

At the request of the European delegation, Atabekyan presented ongoing efforts carried out with international partners to strengthen public trust in the judiciary, centred on cooperation between the judicial system, civil society and the media. He also stressed the importance of fostering an inclusive environment through dialogue with civil society.

At the end of the meeting, the participants underlined the need to develop a new action programme in the format of a working discussion within a short timeframe.

The meeting was also attended by Anahit Abrahamyan, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Yerevan Maxime Longangue, First Deputy Head of the Judicial Department Arshak Vardapetyan, and Deputy Director of the Council of Europe’s Programme Division on Legal Reforms and Human Rights Cooperation Lilit Daneghyan.

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Human rights safeguards in elections discussed at meeting with OSCE/ODIHR obse

Christine Harutyunian
Armenia21:32, 20 May 2026
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Anahit Manasyan met on May 20 with a delegation led by Ambassador Janez Lenarčič, head of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights observation mission in Armenia.

Welcoming the delegation, the Human Rights Defender presented the mandate and key methodologies of the Ombudsman’s Office in the context of electoral processes.

Manasyan addressed a range of issues related to the protection of human rights during elections, particularly unacceptable and aggressive rhetoric used during election campaigns, as well as discriminatory and stigmatising speech, stressing their negative impact on both the public environment and the broader system of human rights protection and promotion.

She emphasised that legal accountability mechanisms in the context of electoral processes must be applied consistently and without selectivity, while state institutions should pursue more sensitive public communication during election campaigns.

The Human Rights Defender also raised concerns over the extensive use of detention as a preventive measure in Armenia, as well as troubling cases of suicides and self-harm in closed institutions, underlining the need for systemic reforms in these areas.

The sides also discussed ensuring the full participation of persons with disabilities in electoral processes, touching upon both the progress achieved and the existing challenges in the field.

At the end of the meeting, the parties reaffirmed their readiness to continue cooperation on issues related to the protection and promotion of human rights.

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Armenpress: Three Armenian Startups Selected to Participate in Europe’s Leadin

Emil Lazarian
High Technologies21:58, 20 May 2026
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Three Armenian startup companies are set to travel to Paris to take part in VivaTech 2026, one of Europe’s largest technology and innovation events, according to the European Union Office in Armenia.

Denovo Sciences, TACTUN and MedPair have been selected under the EU4Innovation East programme to represent Armenia at the event.

The EU office said the initiative aims to create new opportunities for innovators across the Eastern Partnership countries, including Armenia, by building stronger links between Armenian talent and European investors, partners and markets.

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Pro-Kremlin actors launch large scale disinformation campaign targeting Armeni

Maghakian Mike
Euronews
May 20 2026
By Noa Schumann & Tamsin Paternoster

For several months, Armenia has been the target of a wide-ranging Russian disinformation campaign ahead of its parliamentary elections in early June. Researchers say the operation is among the most extensive in recent years. The Cube examines how and why false claims have been circulating.

A large-scale pro-Kremlin disinformation campaign is targeting Armenia ahead of its parliamentary elections on 7 June, researchers say.

In total, 343 fake videos were published by early May, prompting analysts to describe the operation as one of the most extensive in recent years — second only to the campaign observed during Moldova’s 2025 election.

According to researchers, the campaign began in early March and was part of “Matryoshka” — a pro-Kremlin disinformation operation that has increasingly used artificial intelligence.

Among the fabricated videos, a central narrative claims that a victory for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, whose campaign focuses on a pro-European direction, could trigger a war between Armenia and Russia.

The collective Antibot4Navalny, which studies bot networks, said it had identified more than a dozen fake videos featuring Pashinyan and French President Emmanuel Macron, which repeatedly promote the false claim that the two leaders struck a “secret deal”: French backing in the election in exchange for Armenia launching a war against Russia after a victory.

On 11 May, one video falsely claimed that Pashinyan’s press secretary had confirmed the presence of NATO instructors in Armenia, and that, following the parliamentary elections, he would “provoke a military conflict with Russia.”

However, fabricated media reports are not the only tool used in this disinformation campaign. Researchers say bots are also spreading false claims on social media platforms such as X in an apparent effort to undermine Pashinyan.

No evidence supports these allegations. It is also worth noting that, although some of these posts garnered tens of thousands of views, researchers say the figures were artificially inflated.

The aim of the campaign

The election campaign has unfolded against a backdrop of growing cooperation between the EU and Armenia, highlighted by the first EU–Armenia summit held in the country in early May.

Several senior European figures attended, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa, and France’s President Macron.

The meeting was marked by a shared commitment from both sides to strengthen bilateral relations.

“Today’s EU–Armenia summit sends a clear signal of the EU’s firm commitment to deepen our relations with Armenia, and to strengthen cooperation across many new areas, bringing Armenia and its people closer to the European Union,” Costa said.

During the summit, Pashinyan said Armenia was entering “a new period of peace, of consolidation of a democratic regime, and this really, certainly creates a good environment for the development of our bilateral relations.”

Two months after the campaign began — and just days after the summit — Russian President Vladimir Putin drew a comparison between Armenia and Ukraine during a press conference in Moscow on Victory Day, warning that Armenia could face similar consequences if it pursued closer integration with the EU.

“We are all currently feeling the consequences of the situation in Ukraine. How did it all begin? With Ukraine’s accession — or rather attempted accession — to the EU. That was the first step, the very first,” Putin said.

He added that subsequent developments — including political upheaval and conflict — stemmed from that initial move, calling it “a serious problem”.

On 26 March 2025, the Armenian parliament voted by a large majority to launch a process towards EU accession, in a move backed by Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party.

Moscow, however, has repeatedly accused Western actors of interference. As early as January, Russia claimed the EU was encouraging the Armenian government to rig the parliamentary elections.

On 20 January, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said financial support pledged by the EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, to Armenia amounted to a “sincere” confession and an “admission of guilt”.

Those claims echo accusations made during Moldova’s recent elections, which were ultimately won by pro-European forces.

Matryoshka and Storm 1516

Alongside the Matryoshka campaign targeting the election, another pro-Kremlin disinformation campaign, known as Storm-1516, is also spreading false narratives targeting Pashinyan on social media, according to researchers from the South Carolina-based Clemson University’s Media Forensics.

Germany’s foreign intelligence agency, the BND, and France’s Viginum agency, a government body monitoring disinformation campaigns, describe Storm-1516 as a Russian information manipulation network that used coordinated disinformation campaigns with the aim of destabilising democratic institutions.

According to Clemson’s research, the campaign has been active since January and spread false claims about Pashinyan’s election promises, in addition to allegations that Pashinyan used $11 million (€9.5 million) in funds from the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), earmarked for digitalisation, to covertly finance his campaign.

According to Ella Murray, a digital influence analyst at Clemson, Storm-1516’s methods in the Armenian campaign show they are evolving.

“Particularly, they have expanded their stable of influencer networks and fake marketing bots,” she said. “Additionally, they have started using accounts purporting to be local and country-specific.”

“Russian campaigns are targeting Armenia for the same reasons they interfered in elections in Moldova and Hungary,” Murray continued. “They want to discredit pro-Western candidates and reassert regional influence.”

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Verelq: Narek Karapetyan hid the part of having foreign citizenship

Emil Lazarian

The deputy candidate of the “Strong Armenia” alliance hid the information about his foreign citizenship, which prevents him from obtaining the status of an official. This is reported by the prosecutor’s office.

“According to the report of an apparent crime received from the police of the RA Ministry of Internal Affairs in the investigative department of the RA Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia, N.K., the deputy candidate nominated by the “Strong Armenia” alliance as the number one candidate in the regular RA NA elections on June 7, 2026, having been warned about the responsibility defined by the law in case of providing false information, intentionally hid the information about having or having foreign citizenship, that is, the Ministry of Internal Affairs is a migration and citizenship service. submitted a false application with the content of not being a citizen of another state, thus concealing it information on having foreign citizenship, which prevents the acquisition of the status of an official.

On the basis of the report, criminal proceedings were initiated in the investigative department of the RA Investigative Committee of the city of Yerevan under Article 449, Part 1 of the Criminal Code (concealing information that hinders obtaining or maintaining the status of an official).

A preliminary investigation is being conducted,” the message reads.

To remind, Narek Karapetyan is listed as a citizen of the Russian Federation in the extract obtained from the State Register of Legal Entities of the Russian Federation. According to Medianews, the document refers to “Mospromexplotatsia” LLC, in which he has a 2.5% share. The data was entered in the registry on August 18, 2020.

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Narek Karapetyan continues to insist that he is only a citizen of the Republic of Armenia

Emil Lazarian

“Our way” movement coordinator Narek Karapetyan writes.


“Pashinyan, who finally lost his self-control, who was pulling women on the street that day, realized that his true face was revealed to the people.


His team, who knew about his mental state before us, in order to distract the situation, started spreading fake news for us to deny, and to distract people for two days.


Karapetyan Narek should not have another citizenship. Narek should only be a citizen of Armenia. 


Pashinyan diverted the people from his madness.


Changes are coming.”

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