Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan received a team from the American engineering and consulting company AECOM, which arrived in Armenia on behalf of the U.S. State Department’s Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI) initiative to begin site survey work for TRIPP.

The Armenian government said in a press release that the company presented the Deputy Prime Minister with the main directions of the technical assessment study being developed, as well as the expected outcomes of the work.

The Deputy Prime Minister, emphasizing the significance of the TRIPP initiative in terms of strengthening peace and stability in the region, highlighted the importance of the ongoing work and presented the potential for unblocking regional communications. He underscored the significant potential for the transit of goods and resources through the territory of the Republic of Armenia.

The Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) is a connectivity project in Armenia, envisaged under the U.S.-brokered Armenian-Azerbaijani joint declaration signed in Washington, D.C. The project is expected to unlock strategic economic opportunities, create long-term benefits by promoting infrastructure investment, and enhance regional connectivity. 

AECOM had previously visited Armenia earlier this year.

Deputy Foreign Minister Mnatsakan Safaryan has received the copy of the credentials of Ghana’s newly appointed non-resident ambassador to Armenia, Koma Jehu-Appiah.

According to a press release from the Foreign Ministry, during the meeting following the credential presentation ceremony, the Deputy Foreign Minister congratulated the ambassador on assuming office, wishing him success and effective work.

The Deputy Foreign Minister and the ambassador noted with satisfaction the expanding cooperation on bilateral and multilateral platforms and expressed readiness to continue deepening political dialogue, as well as cooperation in technology, energy, culture, and other areas of mutual interest.

Algeria’s newly appointed ambassador to Armenia, Toufik Djouama, presented a copy of his credentials to Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Mnatsakan Safaryan.

According to a press release from the Foreign Ministry, Safaryan congratulated the ambassador on taking office and wished him success in his diplomatic mission. He expressed hope that the ambassador would contribute through his activities to strengthening and further developing friendly bilateral ties between Armenia and Algeria.

The parties held a detailed discussion on the current agenda of bilateral relations and issues related to cooperation on multilateral platforms.

Current regional and international issues were also discussed.

PACE communication division press release 

Following a two-day visit to Yerevan on 11 and 12 May 2026, a pre-electoral delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has emphasised the importance of conducting the 7 June 2026 parliamentary elections in an environment free from fear, undue foreign influence and misuse of administrative resources.

The delegation expressed concern over the increasingly complex and systemic nature of foreign interference affecting Armenia’s political and information landscape. 

The delegation heard that foreign interference has evolved beyond traditional disinformation, now encompassing illicit political financing, cyberattacks, economic coercion and direct attempts to manipulate the electoral process. These hybrid tactics aim not only to sway public opinion but to secure long-term geopolitical leverage over Armenia.

The delegation was told about direct explicit requests from the Russian President to the Armenian Prime Minister to facilitate the voting of the Armenian diaspora from Russia and of encouragements of a financial nature proposed by the main opposition party to this particular branch of the diaspora to travel to Armenia and vote on election day.

The delegation highlighted that such interference constitutes a continuous and adaptive threat, extending well beyond the election period.

The delegation also noted the declarative support given by certain Western partners to the ruling party.

The delegation welcomes Armenia’s legal and regulatory framework to counter undue influence. However, existing mechanisms would benefit from reinforcement to address covert, co-ordinated and cross-border threats. The delegation feels that strengthening institutional capacity, enhancing inter-agency co-ordination and increasing transparency in political finance are all urgently needed.

Looking at the broader pre-electoral environment, the delegation also expressed concern about intensified disinformation targeting human rights defenders, journalists and civil society organisations. Narratives such as accusations of being a “foreign agent” jeopardise public trust and restrict the civic space. The delegation heard reports of co-ordinated inauthentic activity and manipulative social media content and hoped that technology companies will take stronger action against such campaigns.

The delegation is also concerned by the increasing legal pressures, including strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs), which target civil society, journalists and election observers. These tactics risk chilling free _expression_ and deterring democratic participation. The delegation stressed that a vibrant, independent civil society is essential for democratic elections and must be protected from intimidation.

Further issues of concern include growing political polarisation, low public trust in institutions and a general lack of interest in politics, in particular from the young generation. The delegation heard about harsh campaign rhetoric and allegations of misuse of administrative resources, voter pressure, unregulated third-party campaigning, and vote-buying (sometimes disguised as charity).

The unprecedented implication of the Armenian Apostolic Church in politics has also been noted by the delegation.

Transparency and accountability in campaign finance remain critical, especially in view of recent legislative changes that have raised donation limits without fully addressing oversight gaps.

The delegation underscored that safeguarding electoral integrity requires collaboration among national authorities, civil society and international partners, as well as responsible action by digital platforms. It welcomed the constructive co-operation of Armenian authorities and stakeholders ahead of the 7 June 2026 elections, recognising the vote’s importance for Armenia’s democratic and geopolitical trajectory, especially amid ongoing peace efforts and regional transformation.

The delegation heard allegations of double standards in the justice system, the representatives of the opposition complaining about a large number of politicians and members of the clergy under investigation or on house arrest further to justice decisions.

During its visit, the delegation met with the Vice-President of the National Assembly, members of Armenia’s PACE delegation, the leaders of parliamentary and extra-parliamentary parties, the Deputy Minister of Justice, the Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Committee, the Chairman and other representatives of the Information Systems Agency, the President and members of the Central Election Commission, the Head and Deputy Head of Mission of the OSCE’s ODIHR and members of the diplomatic corps in Yerevan, as well as representatives of the media and civil society.

The delegation acknowledged the Central Election Commission’s efforts, such as training and partnering with the Information Systems Agency, to enhance cybersecurity.

In the short time before election day, the PACE delegation urges Armenian authorities to intensify efforts to protect against foreign interference and ensure a level playing field for all contestants. It encourages civil society organisations to continue their vital role in monitoring, reporting and promoting democratic standards.

PACE will deploy a fully-fledged election observation mission to observe 7 June 2026 elections alongside observers from ODIHR, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the European Parliament.

Armenia will soon restart importing liquefied gas from Iran, which could contribute to a decrease in prices, according to Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan.

Speaking to reporters during a Civil Contract party campaign event in the town of Aparan, Papoyan said the volume of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) entering Armenia at the beginning of May was low, which caused problems on the market.

“Our minimum plan was to ensure the availability of liquefied gas in Armenia, and today that has already been secured. Liquefied gas is available everywhere in Armenia,” he said.

The minister noted that the price of gas, which had previously exceeded 300 drams per cubic meter, has already declined.

“I just checked, and in Aparan the price is now 240 drams. Is that the price it should be? I think not,” Papoyan said.

According to him, the process of price reduction is progressing slowly, but the entry of Iranian liquefied gas into the market could have an impact on prices.

“The attaché of the Ministry of Economy in Iran informed me yesterday that the issue related to the export of liquefied gas from Iran has been resolved. This means that Iranian liquefied gas will also begin entering Armenia in the coming days,” the minister said.

Papoyan also said that liquefied gas supplies from Russia are currently being carried out without disruptions, although price increases in Russia have also affected the Armenian market.

“There has been a certain increase in prices in the Russian Federation, which has had its impact here as well,” he said.

However, Papoyan warned that prices are unlikely to return to previous levels in the short term.

“At this stage, I consider a short-term return to the old prices somewhat less realistic,” he stressed.

According to him, the government continues to work to increase liquefied gas imports to Armenia from both Iran and Russia, which is expected to contribute to a further decline in prices.

The price of liquefied gas in Armenia was around 170–180 drams per cubic meter more than a month ago. However, from mid-April, prices began to rise, reaching 280–300 drams per cubic meter. Armenia imports liquefied gas from Russia and Iran. Iran had suspended liquefied gas exports amid the U.S.-Israeli attacks. Problems also emerged with imports from Russia at the Upper Lars checkpoint, resulting in a liquefied gas shortage on the Armenian market.

IDBank press release

In Armenia, a wave of mass messages is being recorded that exploit trust in the national postal operator HayPost. Attackers use the expectation of the package as a fake reason to steal banking data or install spyware on users’ smartphones.

How the scam works: from SMS to full control of the device

The scheme begins with receiving an SMS, an e-mail or a massage in a messenger. The text always imitates an official notification: it reports a “mistake in the address” or the need to pay a small additional fee (usually 2000-3000 AMD) for customs clearance or storage.

In order to “solve the problem” the victim is asked to follow a link. From here the scenario splits into two dangerous paths:

·         Stealing bank credentials. The link leads to a phishing website that looks identical to the HayPost interface. When attempting to “pay the additional fee,” the user enters full card credentials, including the three-digit code on the back of the card and the SMS verification code, effectively giving scammers access to their account.

·         Installation of spyware. The user is offered to download an “official app” for tracking (often in .apk format for Android). In reality, it is a spyware, that gains an access to banking apps, intercepts passwords and allows scammers to remotely control the device.

Important detail: the message nearly almost lacks specifics. Such notifications usually don’t explain which particular package is being referred to: there is no specific tracking number, no exact sender information, and no other important details. The scam relies on inattention, haste and curiosity: ’’what if this is my package – I’d better fix it quickly.”

Postal phishing is a global trend and its popularity among the scammers rises especially during holiday seasons and online sales. In Armenia, this scheme is considered critically dangerous: the Central bank and HayPost annually issue official warnings about fake domains.

Legal trap

What makes this “postal” scheme especially deceptive is that the user voluntarily enters their data on a fake website. As the transaction is confirmed with a one-time password, the bank treats it as legitimate. In case of spyware installation, the situation becomes more complicated: voluntarily installing software from unverified sources removes financial institutions’ responsibility for subsequent transactions.

IDBank recommends:

Digital hygiene is the only reliable way to protect your money. Follow these rules:

·         Check the domain. Official massages from HayPost come only from the haypost.am domain.  Any variations such as haypost.cc, haypost.click or hay-post.info – are a 100% sign of fraud.

·         Do not follow links in messages. If you are really expecting a package, check its status on the official website by entering the tracking number manually or via the official mobile app, downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.

·         No “additional fees” on third-party websites. Real postal services do not request small transfers via messengers for “address correction.”

·         Use official support. If you have any doubts, contact with HayPost using the official number: 010 514514.

If you have already followed the link and entered your data or installed an app, immediately contact your bank using official channels and follow the support team’s instructions.

Remember: your financial security starts with your vigilance. Do not let fake notifications become a real threat to your budget.

IDBANK IS SUPERVISED BY THE CBA

Armenia, a country with rich winemaking traditions, is set to host leading industry experts and wine producers. The Concours Mondial de Bruxelles international wine tasting competition will take place in Armenia from May 19 to 23.

Founded in 1994, the competition annually brings together leading specialists to evaluate various types of wines from countries around the world. It was originally held in Brussels, but since 2006 a decision was made to rotate the event among different countries, giving local producers an opportunity to discover and showcase their potential. The competition has previously been held in Portugal, Italy, Spain, Mexico and other countries. Armenia is now the next host country. This will be the first time the competition is organised in Armenia and, more broadly, in the South Caucasus region.

Zaruhi Muradyan, Executive Director of the Vine and Wine Foundation of Armenia, said a large number of guests are expected and an extensive programme has been prepared.

“Around 400 wine experts from 65 countries will participate in the competition, including 120 wine buyers. We are also expecting 200 journalists, bloggers and sommeliers. This is a good opportunity for us to present Armenia as a winemaking country, as well as to showcase our rich history. The event will last five days, and we have tried to design a programme that will allow our guests, beyond the competition itself, to visit Armenia’s wine-producing regions, historical and cultural sites, and take part in various events,” Muradyan said.

The competition programme will include tastings of white, red and sparkling wines. In total, 8,000 wines will be presented for evaluation by experts, who will identify the best entries through blind tastings. Armenia usually participates in the competition with more than 50 varieties; this year, that number has increased to 120.

Quentin Havaux, Director of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles wine tasting competition, noted that the event is not only a good opportunity to present a country’s winemaking story, showcase its potential and gain recognition, but also an effective platform for expanding professional partnerships.

“There will be numerous opportunities within the framework of the competition to establish contacts and build partnerships. First of all, guests will visit wineries. The guest list includes not only experts, but also wine buyers themselves. In addition, a special meeting will be organised with the participation of wine buyers and producers. As you know, we have also invited many bloggers and journalists who will speak about Armenian wines, which in turn will help raise the visibility of local products,” Havaux said.

He noted that Armenian wines are unique and remarkable for their quality. Havaux stressed that some wines produced in Armenia are made from distinctive grape varieties that cannot be replicated elsewhere.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Armenia, which oversees the national police force, has denied claims made by the leader of the “Prosperous Armenia” party, Gagik Tsarukyan, regarding the alleged dismissal of dozens of patrol officers in Kotayk Province.

Business magnate Gagik Tsarukyan resides in the city of Abovyan, the largest city in Kotayk Province, just outside Yerevan.

During an election campaign event held in the town of Dilijan, Tavush Province, Tsarukyan—who is running for parliament—claimed that 52 patrol officers had been fired in Kotayk, allegedly because their relatives supported him politically.

In response, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Narek Sargsyan, rejected the claim, describing it as disinformation.

“The statement is disinformation and does not correspond to reality,” Sargsyan told Armenpress.

The risk of hantavirus spread in Armenia is currently assessed as low, the country’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention said in a statement. Health authorities continue to monitor the international situation, it added.

No cases of hantavirus have been reported in Armenia so far.

The World Health Organization is currently not advising any travel or trade restrictions regarding the hantavirus situation.

Hantavirus mainly spreads via inhalation of contaminated particles from the urine, feces, or saliva of infected rodents. Only one strain, Andes — the one involved in the outbreak that began on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean — can spread between people. However, it does so only in very specific, close-contact situations. Hantavirus can be very dangerous for those who become infected but does not pose the same broad outbreak risk as SARS or COVID-19.

The last passengers and some crew members have now left a Dutch cruise ship at the centre of the hantavirus outbreak after disembarking at Granadilla port in south-east Tenerife. Dozens of passengers from around the world have been making their way home.

Three people — a Dutch couple and a German woman — have died after travelling on the ship, with two of them confirmed to have had the virus.

As of May 12, there have been 11 cases in total — 9 confirmed and 2 suspected. 

According to health officials, hantavirus is not spread through everyday social contact. In the rare instances where a person has contracted hantavirus from another person (rather than from a rodent), it has involved close and prolonged contact with an infected individual.

The World Health Organization and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) assess the risk to the general population as very low.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan presented his Civil Contract party’s manifesto on education programs, military reforms, and the delimitation process with Azerbaijan to voters on Wednesday at a campaign event for the June 7 election in Aragatsotn Province.

He announced that the government’s flagship project to build and renovate 300 schools and 500 kindergartens across the country will soon be completed.

“By the end of this year, we will complete the 300 schools and 500 kindergartens program, and immediately launch the construction of the next 300 schools,” he said.

Pashinyan said the government also plans to build an additional 100 kindergartens in communities where there is a need.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the voluntary teacher certification program, saying it has enabled teachers’ salaries to double.

He added that in the next stage of the program, teachers who have already been certified will be able to retake the certification process, with the potential to raise their base salaries to as much as 300,000 drams, including bonuses.

The Prime Minister also spoke about ongoing reforms in the military.

“Today, we have privates in our military receiving a salary of 700,000 drams,” Pashinyan said.

He said that under the Homeland Defender volunteer service program, thousands of young people serve as contract soldiers and earn up to 600,000 drams while continuing to live with their families.

Pashinyan said that through this process, Armenia has entered a concrete path toward building a professional army.

He called on citizens to attend the military parade scheduled for May 28 at Republic Square in Yerevan to see the weapons acquired in recent years and the changes that have taken place in the armed forces.

At the same time, the Prime Minister stressed that the reforms are aimed at peace, not war.

“We are not preparing for war through army reforms; we are preparing for peace,” he said.

According to Pashinyan, a strong and capable army is necessary so that Armenia is not seen as an attractive target for aggression.

“We must ensure that our country is never, ever, ever attractive for aggression; on the contrary, it must be clear that no aggression can be carried out against our country,” he said.

The Prime Minister also spoke about the delimitation process with Azerbaijan, stating that the issue of occupied territories should be resolved through border delimitation.

Pashinyan said that the regulation on the joint activities of the Armenia–Azerbaijan border delimitation commissions, which has already been ratified in both countries, has legally binding force and is based on the principles of the Alma-Ata Declaration.

“De jure, these issues have already been resolved,” Pashinyan said.