Algeria’s newly appointed ambassador to Armenia, Toufik Djouama, has presented his credentials to President Vahagn Khachaturyan.

The President congratulated the ambassador on assuming office and wished him success in carrying out his mission, according to a readout from the President’s Office.

“Your appointment is very important to us. In general, the presence of non-resident ambassadors is, of course, important in relations between any two countries. I am confident that your appointment, as well as the appointment of our ambassador to your country, will further invigorate relations between Armenia and Algeria. Armenia has special relations with Algeria and the Arabic-speaking countries. Our economic and political potential for cooperation and the implementation of joint programs is significant,” President Khachaturyan said during the meeting.

Ambassador Djouama expressed gratitude for the reception and the good wishes, noting that he would devote his efforts to further strengthening friendship between the peoples of Armenia and Algeria, deepening mutual trust, and expanding the bilateral cooperation agenda.

During the meeting, the sides discussed prospects for the development of bilateral relations and opportunities to enhance cooperation.

They addressed issues related to effectively realizing the existing potential for cooperation in the fields of high technology, artificial intelligence, education, tourism, and healthcare. In this context, they emphasized the importance of developing a knowledge-based economy, promoting innovative solutions, exchanging expertise, and expanding professional ties.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of deepening cooperation between educational and scientific institutions, implementing joint programs, and encouraging initiatives aimed at fostering growing mutual interest in the tourism sector. The sides also touched upon opportunities for exchanging expertise and expanding professional cooperation in healthcare.

The President and the Ambassador also highlighted the importance of developing effective cooperation within international organizations and multilateral platforms.

The parties further emphasized the importance of organizing high-level and other mutual visits as a key prerequisite for intensifying political dialogue and further deepening bilateral relations.

The newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Ghana to Armenia, Lesley Akyaa Opoku Ware (residence: Moscow), presented his credentials to Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan, the President’s Office said in a statement.

Welcoming the ambassador, President Khachaturyan congratulated him on his appointment and wished him success in strengthening relations between the two countries.

“In recent years, we have also directed our foreign policy toward Sub-Saharan Africa. In this context, the role of Ghana is very important as a country that ensures stability on the continent and has significant influence within the African Union.

I believe we should first develop the institutional foundations of our relations, as well as bilateral ties, which require detailed discussion.

 I also congratulate you on your appointment, as we now have an ambassador who will work in this direction and advance our cooperation,” the president said.

President Khachaturyan emphasized the importance of intensifying bilateral political dialogue and organizing high-level reciprocal visits as key prerequisites for the development of cooperation.

During the meeting, the sides discussed opportunities for expanding cooperation in healthcare, education, tourism, the processing of precious metals and stones, as well as other areas. They also touched upon the prospects for developing student exchange programs and educational ties.

Ambassador Lesley Akyaa Opoku Ware thanked the president for the reception and conveyed the warm greetings of Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama.

“Thank you, Mr. President, for this opportunity. We are always open to cooperation opportunities with countries like yours,” the ambassador said.

The sides also discussed the possibilities of deepening cooperation within international organizations and strengthening ties in other areas of mutual interest.

Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan met with a U.S. delegation that arrived in Armenia to discuss the ongoing process toward implementing the TRIPP project, the government said in a press release.

The U.S. delegation included representatives of the State Department and the Development Finance Corporation (DFC).

Welcoming the guests, the Armenian Deputy Prime Minister, on behalf of the government, thanked the U.S. authorities for organizing the Washington Peace Summit held on August 8, 2025, and emphasized the importance of the consistent implementation of one of the summit’s key achievements — the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) project.

The sides discussed and agreed on a number of operational and legal issues related to the implementation of TRIPP.

Deputy Prime Minister Grigoryan also spoke about the Crossroads of Peace initiative, emphasizing the necessity, potential, and prospects of unblocking all regional communications.

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. An Armenian-American joint enterprise is expected to develop the route.

Disinformation has once again been circulated online using the logo of the Armenpress news agency.

The fake news was posted by a user named Kevin Rose on X and was accompanied by a video which includes footage from the European Political Community summit held in Armenia, as well as from a press conference by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s spokesperson, Nazeli Baghdasaryan. The disinformation attributes false statements to her while also featuring the Armenpress logo on the video.

The post tagged Armenpress as well as other media outlets, including France24, AFP, NBC News, and USA Today.

A similar instance of fake news was posted on X earlier in May.

Authorities had earlier warned of intensified disinformation campaigns targeting Armenia.

Türkiye is preparing to change the procedure for export documentation for goods shipped to Armenia, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Tuesday.

Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan was earlier heard in a hot-mic moment telling Pashinyan, who is currently campaigning with fellow Civil Contract party members across Yerevan ahead of the upcoming elections, that “the Turks are opening today, let’s prepare a welcoming text for the Foreign Ministry spokesperson.”

Reporters later asked Pashinyan to elaborate.

Pashinyan explained that the comment referred to changes in Türkiye’s export documentation procedures for shipments to Armenia.

He said that under previous Turkish regulations, Armenia was not included in the list of destination countries, which meant that goods were first registered as exports to a third country and only then re-exported to Armenia.

“There are many Turkish-made goods in Armenia, and this was an additional process — they were sent to another country, documented, and then brought here,” Pashinyan said.

Now, he said, the Turkish side is allowing Armenia to be directly listed as the country of destination in export documents.

“Now they are processing it in a way that Armenia is indicated as the country of destination. That is what he [Mirzoyan] meant,” the Prime Minister said.

The Armenia–Cyprus Business Forum held in Yerevan is opening new opportunities for deepening cooperation between the business communities of the two countries, expanding investment ties, and developing new export directions.

Participants of the forum emphasized the strengthening of Armenian–Cypriot economic relations, the process of integration with European markets, and the importance of establishing direct contacts between business representatives.

Mariam Manukyan, President of the Council of International Business Relations Support, an Armenian organization with the mission of fostering global business relations, presented the important initiative aimed at strengthening relations between Armenia and Cyprus.

Nine businesspeople from Cyprus have arrived in Armenia, representing companies operating in various sectors. The initiative provides an opportunity for Armenian businesses and entrepreneurs to establish contacts with representatives of the Cypriot business community.

Mariam Manukyan noted that Dr. Natalia Kardash, a Cyprus-based communications and business relations expert and founder of the Successful Business Leaders’ Club (SBL Club), is representing the Cypriot delegation. Her extensive connections and experience in cooperation with the Cypriot business community may help Armenian companies find new partners, as well as expand export and import opportunities.

According to her, the initiative also gives Armenian businesses the opportunity to register in the Cypriot market, which could contribute to export diversification and economic development.

“Cyprus has broad opportunities in the services sector, while Armenia can offer the Cypriot market its potential, particularly in the information technology sector,” Mariam Manukyan said.

During the event, Anahit Simonyan, a member of the Board of the Council for International Business Relations Support, also delivered remarks. She said that such meetings are particularly important in the context of recent major international developments in Armenia, including the first high-level Armenia–European Union Summit and the European Political Community Summit held in Yerevan. 

Speaking about past projects, Anahit Simonyan has reminded that initiatives under the “Bridge to Europe” program have already been implemented in the Armenia–Hungary, Vienna, and Prague directions, which were also aimed at expanding business ties.

She added that the initiative can be seen as a practical continuation of the framework of cooperation established between Armenia and the European Union, aimed at deepening economic relations and business ties.

Dr. Natalia Kardash highlighted the partnership with the Council of International Business Relations Support in organizing such an initiative.

“Within the framework of the forum, Armenian and Cypriot partners are given the opportunity to establish new business contacts, develop cooperation, and identify new sectors and investment directions,” Dr. Natalia Kardash said.

Armenia will host the Eurovision Young Musicians 2026 on June 6, the birthday of the renowned composer Aram Khachaturian.

Since 1982, Eurovision Young Musicians has showcased Europe’s most exceptional young instrumentalists, offering performers aged 12–21 the opportunity to step onto an international stage at a pivotal moment in their artistic development.

The 2026 competition, featuring musicians from 11 countries, will see Armenia represented by 15-year-old flutist Elen Virabyan.

Speaking at a press conference, Zhanna Andreasyan, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Armenia, said that hosting the competition is yet another opportunity to highlight the importance of classical art and to contribute to its promotion.

“The Government of the Republic of Armenia is pursuing a very active policy aimed at turning Armenia into a platform for various international tournaments, competitions, and events, which contribute to the country’s international positioning, making it more recognizable and visible, especially in the context of a significant increase in tourist flows. This year, there is about a 35% growth compared to the same period last year. In recent years, Armenia has become a platform for major sports and cultural events alike. I am glad that the classical Eurovision is joining this series,” the minister said.

Andreasyan emphasized that it is important to note that 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Yerevan Opera Theatre building, and that an anniversary committee has been established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia in order to make this important example of Armenian architecture and its history more visible.

The minister highlighted that the internationally anticipated competition will be held in the century-old building, at the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall.

The executive director of the Public Television Company of Armenia, Hovhannes Movsisyan, said that he believes the Eurovision Young Musicians contest, also referred to as “Classical Eurovision,” is not very well known among Eurovision competitions.

“We will try to make it more popular in Armenia through this event. We have been preparing for the event for two years, and I am grateful to the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia for providing most of the funding,” he said.

Speaking about the competition’s branding, Movsisyan noted that it was inspired by renowned Armenian painter Minas Avetisyan’s “Jajur.” The slogan of the 2026 contest is: Armenia: Where Classical Music Unites.

The Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra and the Symphony Orchestra of the Armenian National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet will take part in the event.

Eleven countries will participate: Portugal, Serbia, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Poland, Latvia, Sweden, and Armenia.

The international jury includes German conductor Julien Salemkour, Spanish flutist Eduard Belmar, conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra Roman Simović, and renowned Armenian cellist Narek Hakhnazaryan.

A delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has arrived in Armenia on a two-day visit to observe the ongoing election campaign and developments.

The members of the delegation met with Armenian delegates to PACE.

During the meeting with Vice Speaker of Parliament and head of the Armenian delegation to PACE Ruben Rubinyan, as well as members of the delegation, MPs Sona Ghazaryan, Hripsime Grigoryan, Arusyak Julhakyan, Armen Rustamyan and Armen Gevorgyan, the delegation discussed “issues pertaining to the pre-election and political processes in Armenia,” according to a readout. 

A delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), led by Head of Delegation Damien Cottier, visited the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) of Armenia on May 12, the Commission said in a statement.

The delegation included PACE members from Italy, the Swiss Confederation, the Kingdom of Spain, the Federal Republic of Germany and the Kingdom of Sweden, as well as representatives of the PACE Elections Division.

The delegation also included PACE Monitoring Committee co-rapporteur on Armenia Boriana Åberg. Head of the Council of Europe Office in Yerevan Maxime Longangué was also present at the meeting.

The delegation was welcomed by CEC Chairman Vahagn Hovakimyan. The preparatory process ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for June 7, the legal regulations governing the pre-election campaign, and Armenia’s electoral legislation in general were touched upon at the meeting.

Representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Assembly also attended the meeting.

The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 12 May, USD exchange rate down by 0.34 drams to 368.62 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 1.47 drams to 432.76 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.0174 drams to 4.9787 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 2.6 drams to 498.82 drams.

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

Gold price down by 197 drams to 56047 drams.