‍‍Andreja Metelko-Zgombić, State Secretary for Europe at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia, considers the signing of the Joint Declaration on Strategic Dialogue between Armenia and Croatia a significant development in bilateral relations.

She said the declaration would elevate relations between the two countries to a new level of cooperation across a number of areas.

‍‍Metelko-Zgombić made the remarks in an interview with Armenpress on the sidelines of the Yerevan Dialogue 2026 forum.

During the interview, she also touched upon the current state and prospects of Armenia-Croatia relations, Zagreb’s views on the expansion of Armenia-European Union ties, as well as the geopolitical situation in the South Caucasus, particularly the Armenia-Azerbaijan normalization process.

The Croatian official described the initialing of the peace agreement between Yerevan and Baku as a historic achievement not only for the two countries, but also for the wider region.

 Armenia-Croatia bilateral relations

I am happy to say that the Croatian-Armenian relations have been intensifying at the political level in recent years. Armenia’s closer relationship with the EU, including the upgraded EU and Armenia Strategic Partnership Agenda, also provides an important framework for expanding cooperation.

I held very productive political consultations in Yerevan last November and I can attest significant interest in further strengthening our political and economic ties, including in the technological and defense industries, the agri-food industry, as well as cultural and scientific cooperation. An important area of interest is Croatia’s experience with EU integration processes, transfer of knowledge and experience in implementing reforms.

Croatia’s EU accession experience represents a credible and recent success story, making us a trusted partner. Since its entry into the EU in 2013, Croatia has demonstrated a strong political commitment to sharing know-how, supporting 13 partner countries through over 1.000 technical assistance activities and 53 Twinning projects.

I am glad to be able to share that the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Croatia, along with their Slovenian partner, was selected for a Twinning project with the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia. This joint health project marks a milestone as the first structured cooperation of this kind between Croatia and Armenia. This project goes beyond technical assistance, it represents a strategic partnership built on shared values, solidarity, inclusiveness and commitment to accessible public services.

Another area in which Croatia is ready to share its experience is demining. The EU’s Eastern Neighborhood is one of the priorities of the Croatian development policy. Our focus is on technical assistance through sharing of national experience and expertise in post-war stabilization and recovery (especially humanitarian demining) and socio-economic and democratic transition. I am especially pleased to hear that the Armenian Centre for Demining and Expertise (ACHDE), following a successful EU tender process, has selected robotic demining systems from the Croatian company DOK-ING. I am confident that this project will significantly increase safety and security of local communities affected by explosive remnants of war and further contribute to confidence-building efforts in the region.

At the same time, we are also keen to draw on Armenia’s expertise. During my last-year’s visit to Yerevan, I was thrilled to visit Armenia’s TUMO center, which left quite an impression on me. TUMO presents a cutting-edge blend of creativity and technology in digital skill education and we would like to bring this innovative youth program to Croatia as well. I must say this is a project I am personally invested in.

Let us not forget the centuries old historic, cultural and spiritual ties shared by Croatia and Armenia. We have a common saint – Saint Blaise, a patron saint of Dubrovnik as of 10th century, who is of Armenian origin. As well as Josip Marinović who wrote the first history of Armenians in the West already in 18th century.

The Joint Declaration on Strategic Dialogue between Croatia and Armenia was signed during the Croatian prime minister’s visit to Yerevan to participate in the 8th Summit of the European Political Community Summit.

The signing of the Joint Declaration on Strategic Dialogue between Croatia and Armenia by Prime Minister Plenković and Prime Minister Pashinyan represents a milestone in our bilateral relations. I am certain it will bring our relations to a new level of cooperation in a number of fields (regional and international cooperation, security, defense and justice, economy and infrastructure, industry, energy, education, science, culture and tourism).

This includes cooperation in projects of regional and international trade and transport connectivity, specifically through support to each other’s connectivity projects, such as Armenia’s “Crossroads of Peace” initiative.

I believe the Joint Declaration also reflects Croatia’s and Armenia’s concerns, as small countries with rich yet vulnerable ecosystems, when it comes to addressing climate change challenges. The Joint Declaration calls for collaboration on implementing Sustainable Development Goals, promoting innovation and technological advances, and transition to a green economy, as well as cooperation in the field of energy, particularly on renewable energy projects.

When it comes to cooperation on sustainable food and agriculture systems, direct contact has been established between the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Croatia and the Armenian side with a focus on cooperation in the field of smart farming and improving trade. We see significant potential in this area. Finally, this Declaration marks a key step in advancing our political dialogue, deepening sectorial cooperation and setting out a forward-looking bilateral agenda.

The 8th Summit of the European Political Community in Armenia

European Political Community is an excellent format to address the challenges we are facing in Europe today as they do not recognize borders and require broad pan-European coordination. Croatia has supported this forum since the very beginning, as a unique platform for dialogue and cooperation.

The topics of yesterday’s European Political Community summit are extremely relevant – strengthening connectivity and reinforcing democratic resilience.

The South Caucasus, including Armenia, is a vital trade hub that has the potential to improve economic connectivity between Europe and Asia through the so-called Middle Corridor. Connectivity is no longer just about infrastructure. It is about security, resilience and Europe’s long-term competitiveness.  The war in Ukraine has already shown how disruptions to energy, transport and supply chains affect Europe’s security and resilience and recent developments in the Middle East have further highlighted the vulnerability of key energy and trade routes.

For Croatia, connectivity is a strategic reality. Croatia’s geostrategic position offers one of the shortest maritime routes between Europe and Asia. Our goal is to leverage this position in order to enhance the overall standing of our wider region within Europe and on the global stage. In this context, Croatia hosted the Three Seas Initiative summit last week. The aim is to connect the Baltic, Black and Adriatic Seas in order to improve our connectivity. Our approach is guided by the principle that connectivity must strengthen resilience – economically, energetically and politically. It is also a matter of deterrence and military mobility, shaping our ability to act and respond in times of crisis.

Croatia’s support to Armenia – EU partnership

Let me congratulate Armenia on hosting the first-ever EU–Armenia summit, which is a historic step that reflects how much our relationship has deepened, grounded in shared values, mutual interests, and respect for a rules-based international order.

The EU’s engagement focuses on strengthening Armenia’s democratic and economic resilience, supporting peace and normalization in the region, and enhancing connectivity to unlock security and economic benefits for Armenia, the region, and the EU.

In this context, the EU has adopted the 270 million euros Resilience and Growth Plan for 2024–2027 as well as the Strategic Partnership Programme, alongside a Visa Liberalisation Plan.

Our cooperation already brings tangible security, economic and societal benefits. The EU has deployed the civilian EUMA mission to strengthen border security, stability and resilience against hybrid threats. The recently announced establishment of the new EU Partnership Mission will further enhance Armenia’s democratic resilience and crisis management abilities. The EU actively supports peace and normalization with neighbouring countries through programmes for economic development, connectivity, cross-border cooperation and building confidence. The assistance also includes demining support, including equipment from Croatia’s renowned company DOK-ING as well as aid to displaced Karabakh Armenians, with Croatia contributing 250,000 euros. Through the Resilience and Growth Plan, the EU is further advancing democratic reforms, investment in energy and transport, and private sector development. The EU-Armenia landmark visa liberalisation dialogue, provided Armenia’s continued progress in meeting benchmarks, should lead to a visa-free travel for Armenian citizens. 

Armenia also plays a key role in regional connectivity, particularly through the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, which is both an opportunity and a necessity for the region and the EU, as confirmed by the launch of the EU-Armenia Connectivity Partnership. By investing in connectivity, we are enhancing stability. The EU investments in transport, energy, and digital links are helping create jobs, boost trade, and strengthen resilience.

Croatia strongly welcomes the intensification of EU–Armenia relations, as demonstrated by the outcomes of this summit. EU support is especially important in strengthening Armenia’s resilience to foreign interference and safeguarding democratic progress. Upcoming parliamentary elections will carry not only domestic importance but also wider geopolitical significance for the South Caucasus.

Croatia’s position on the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process

Croatia welcomes the significant steps taken by Yerevan and Baku toward normalizing relations, including the agreements signed in Washington last August and the initialling of the Armenia–Azerbaijan peace treaty. This represents a historic achievement not only for both countries but also for the wider region. In this context, the gradual normalization of relations with Türkiye, including the swift opening of borders, is crucial for regional stability.

We encourage both Armenia and Azerbaijan to ensure the timely implementation of agreed steps, particularly the signing and ratification of the peace treaty. The EU, together with international partners, has long supported both sides in fostering conditions for lasting peace and will continue to do so. In particular, we welcome civil society contacts as an essential component for achieving sustainable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan and for advancing confidence-building measures.

Drawing on its post-war experience in stabilisation and recovery, border demarcation and delimitation, and demining as mentioned above, Croatia stands ready to offer its expertise and support to Armenia upon request.

We also emphasize the importance of enhancing regional connectivity and unblocking trade routes, which can deliver tangible benefits for all populations in the South Caucasus. The EU is advancing these goals through initiatives such as the Global Gateway strategy and the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, in close coordination with partners. In this regard, Armenia’s “Crossroads of Peace” initiative aligns well with the EU objectives by contributing to regional cooperation and connectivity.

A panel discussion held within the framework of Yerevan Dialogue 2026 examined how media literacy and cognitive security intersect with modern democratic resilience and whether democracies are sufficiently adaptable to current information threats.

The panel discussion was titled “From Media Literacy to Cognitive Security: Is Democracy Adaptable Enough to Face Modern Threats? Rethinking Democratic Resilience in the Information Age.”

Camille Grenier, Executive Director of the Forum on Information and Democracy (France), moderated the discussion.

The speakers included Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ani Badalyan, Artur Papyan, Digital Threat Analyst at CyberHUB Armenia, Pierrick Judeaux, Director for Policy and Ecosystem Development at IFPIM (France), and Samuel Van der Staak, Director for Europe at International IDEA (Belgium).

The discussion addressed the transformation of the modern information environment, as well as manifestations of disinformation and information manipulation aimed at undermining public trust in democratic processes.

Participants also examined how artificial intelligence, digital platforms, and data-driven technologies are reshaping interaction with information and influencing public discourse.

The importance of promoting independent media, continuously strengthening democratic resilience, and consistently developing like-minded partnerships in this area was also emphasized.

Spokesperson for the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ani Badalyan, presented Armenia’s approaches to these issues, as well as cooperation established with civil society organizations and international partners, the ministry said in a press release. 

The Armenian Foreign Ministry and the Casimir Pulaski Foundation, a prominent think tank based in Warsaw, Poland, have signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in joint projects as part of the Yerevan Dialogue forum.

The memorandum was signed on the sidelines of the Yerevan Dialogue 2026 by Armenian Foreign Ministry Secretary General Davit Karapetyan and Casimir Pulaski Foundation President Zbigniew Pisarski, the Foreign Ministry said in a press release.

Press release by President’s Office 

On May 7, 2026, following a private meeting and expanded-format discussions between the delegations, President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan and President of the Republic of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs, adopted a joint statement.

The Presidents noted the constructive and friendly relations between Armenia and Latvia and expressed their strong commitment to further strengthen political dialogue, inter-parliamentary ties and sectoral cooperation across a wide range of areas such as economy, trade, environment, culture, education, youth policy and others. Both sides underlined the importance of communication and consultations between the relevant ministries and agencies to foster institutional cooperation.

Emphasizing the importance of economic cooperation, the Presidents confirmed their interest in further strengthening contacts between economic actors and exploring investment and market opportunities across sectors of common interest, in particular, information technologies and digital innovation, transport and logistics, agriculture and food processing, and tourism. The presidents also highlighted the importance of predictable and conducive business and investment environment, mutual protection of investments, as well as continued cooperation to prevent and disrupt circumvention of sanctions of the European Union.

Underlining the efforts of the Armenian side, as well as the support delivered by the EU in building resilience against hybrid threats and foreign interference, the leaders welcomed the decision to deploy new CSDP mission to Armenia.

Acknowledging deepening ties between the European Union and Armenia, as well as the strategic objective of Armenia to further strengthen its political, economic, security and social ties with the EU and the wider community of democratic states, the Presidents highlighted the results of the first EU-Armenia Summit on 4-5 May 2026 as a historic milestone for further enhancing partnership between both sides. The leaders reaffirmed their respective commitments under the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement between Armenia and the European Union (CEPA) and the new Strategic Agenda for the EU-Armenia Partnership. In this regard, the Presidents supported further advancement of the Visa Liberalisation Dialogue between Armenia and EU, as well as continuation of the assistance to Armenia under the European Peace Facility.

The sides emphasised the respect to the principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law and acknowledged Armenia’s commitment to comprehensive reforms and modernization, particularly in justice sector and fight against corruption, to enhance resilience and prosperity of the country. The President of Latvia reaffirmed Latvia’s commitment to continue supporting these efforts by sharing its knowledge and expertise in different sectors, including data protection, food safety, media literacy and others.

The Presidents underlined Latvia’s role as an elected member of the United Nations Security Council (2026-2027) and reaffirmed their strong interest of sustained and close cooperation within the UN and other multilateral frameworks.

The Presidents stressed the importance of upholding the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and adherence to international law. They emphasized the necessity of safeguarding a rules-based international order and multilateralism and reaffirmed respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. In this respect, the Presidents expressed their strong and continued support for the ongoing peace efforts in Ukraine and Middle East.

President Rinkēvičs conveyed appreciation for Armenia’s humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. The Presidents also highlighted Latvia’s sustained and comprehensive assistance to Ukraine, exceeding 1 billion euros.

Welcoming the historic momentum in the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, including the outcomes of the 8 August 2025 Washington Summit, the President of Latvia commended the ongoing efforts aimed institutionalizing peace in the South Caucasus. President Rinkēvičs welcomed Armenia’s strong commitment to the normalisation of relations with Türkiye.

Recognizing the importance of regional connectivity, including the ongoing efforts to implement the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), the Presidents underlined the strategic role of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor linking Europe and Asia. They discussed their interest in contributing to the further development of this and other regional and trans-regional connectivity projects, including “Crossroads of Peace” initiative, through the expertise and capabilities of their business communities, particularly in the fields of logistics, multimodal transport and digital solutions.

President Vahagn Khachaturyan visited the Delegation of the European Union to Armenia on the occasion of Europe Day to extend his congratulations.

In a press release, the President’s Office said Khachaturyan congratulated Ambassador Vassilis Maragos, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Armenia, as well as the staff, wishing them success and all the best.

Ambassador Maragos expressed gratitude to the Armenian President for the visit and the congratulations. President Khachaturyan and Ambassador Maragos also discussed the Armenia–EU relations agenda, as well as ongoing EU-supported programs in Armenia.

President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan said the electoral campaign should be built around ideas, programs, principles and ways of developing Armenia, rather than insults, intolerance or division within society.

Speaking at the launch of the pre-election campaign, Khachaturyan said elections are not only a constitutional mechanism for forming government, but also one of the key indicators of political culture, mutual respect and public responsibility toward the state.

“The campaign should not be built around insults, intolerance or dividing society, but around ideas, programs, principles and ways of developing the country,” the president said.

Khachaturyan noted that elections held in Armenia since 2018 have strengthened public trust in electoral processes and established “a new political reality” based on free _expression_ of will, transparency and the legitimacy of election results.

According to the president, the electoral period should become a platform for healthy and dignified competition of political ideas and visions for the future.

He called on political forces, candidates and their supporters to demonstrate political ethics, civic responsibility and respect during the campaign.

“Political competition can be fierce, but it should never cross the bounds of civility, because the strength of democracy lies not only in free speech, but also in the ability to exercise that freedom with dignity.”

Khachaturyan also stressed that state bodies, local self-government authorities, law enforcement agencies and supervisory institutions involved in the electoral process must act strictly in accordance with the Constitution and the law, ensuring equal conditions and public trust.

The president expressed confidence that political maturity, mutual respect and civic responsibility would help ensure elections that strengthen democratic institutions, state stability and national solidarity in Armenia.

“I wish this electoral process to become an example of dignified political competition, public trust and the reaffirmation of democratic values, for the sake of a strong, law-based and future-oriented Republic of Armenia.”

The Human Rights Defender of Armenia, Anahit Manasyan, called on all political forces to avoid hate speech, discrimination, incitement to violence, and any other forms of _expression_ that exceed the limits of freedom of speech.

Manasyan made the remarks in parliament while presenting her 2025 annual report to lawmakers, in reference to challenges in the field of freedom of _expression_.

The Ombudsperson emphasized that in Armenia, freedom of _expression_ is sometimes perceived as an unlimited right, which leads to the spread of hate, discrimination, and speech inciting violence.

Manasyan stressed that freedom of _expression_ has clear limits and that everyone plays a key role in fostering a culture of responsibility in society.

At the same time, she expressed concern over the inconsistent application of accountability mechanisms in cases of violations of freedom of _expression_, particularly criminal liability, noting that differentiated approaches often create a perception of arbitrariness.

Manasyan highlighted the importance of establishing a unified practice in the application of criminal liability and using this tool only in cases that pose sufficient public danger.

She also found it problematic that such forms of speech, which constitute violations of conduct rules, rarely result in disciplinary accountability measures.

Especially in the context of the pre-election period, Manasyan called on all political forces to exclude from their political discourse any discriminatory language, hate speech, incitement to violence, and any other forms of _expression_ that violate the limits of freedom of _expression_.

A new €14.4 million customs and logistics center will be built in Armenia’s Syunik province to modernize border procedures and strengthen the country’s role as a regional trade and transport hub.

A ceremonial event was held at the State Revenue Committee (SRC) headquarters in Yerevan to mark the launch of the construction program for the Syunik Customs and Logistics Center.

An agreement to support the implementation of the project was signed between the SRC and the Italian company IRD Engineering, officially launching the program.

The event was attended by SRC Chairman Eduard Hakobyan, Ambassador of Italy to Armenia Alessandro Ferranti, Head of the Armenia Office of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development George Akhalkatsi, Managing Director of IRD Engineering Paolo Orsini, as well as heads of various departments of the SRC.

“The Syunik Customs and Logistics Center is not just a major infrastructure project; it is an important step toward positioning Armenia as a regional logistics hub. The project is also a practical reflection of the Government of Armenia’s ‘Crossroads of Peace’ initiative, as it will become a modern, state-of-the-art infrastructure for regional stability and economic cooperation,” SRC Chairman Eduard Hakobyan was quoted as saying by the SRC press office.

The SRC Chairman stressed that the project implementation support agreement is not only an official document but also a symbol of shared responsibility, mutual trust, and an ambitious vision for development.

According to representatives of international organizations present at the event, the construction of the Syunik Customs and Logistics Center is an important contribution to regional cooperation and trade facilitation, as well as infrastructure development.

With this major initiative, a new economic and logistics hub will be established in southern Armenia, aimed at modernizing international cargo transportation and customs procedures, as well as creating a modern, digitized customs environment.

The total cost of the project is €14.4 million, and it is financed through loan and grant funds from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), as well as co-financing from the Government of Armenia.

The center will be built in the area adjacent to the Shaki community in Armenia’s Syunik, next to the North-South Road Corridor, and is aimed at facilitating southbound cargo transportation by ensuring fast and digitized customs services. The newly established center will operate on a “one-stop, one-window” principle, allowing businesses to complete all necessary customs procedures in a single location, saving time and resources and enabling faster border processing.

The project envisions the introduction of modern customs and logistics solutions, including high-tech X-ray scanning and inspection equipment, truck service and parking areas, administrative and auxiliary infrastructure, as well as digital management and energy-efficient systems.

Design and technical works for the project have been entrusted to the Italian company IRD Engineering, which has international experience, while construction will be carried out in accordance with FIDIC Yellow Book international standards. At the same time, the project aims to obtain LEED green building certification, which includes energy-efficient and water-saving solutions, the development of green spaces, and the use of renewable energy sources.

Construction works are scheduled to begin in 2027.

As the campaigning period began in Armenia on Friday, the Strong Armenia party, led by Samvel Karapetyan, gathered outside the parliament building to present its manifesto to voters.

Narek Karapetyan, the party leader’s nephew and a senior party member, together with fellow party member Davit Ghazinyan, held a press briefing during the event.

Karapetyan said that, in the event of securing a majority in the June 7 parliamentary elections, the party would implement policies that “people would directly feel in their income and daily lives,” with a clear improvement in living standards.

“We plan to provide 100,000–150,000 drams per month to extremely poor families with more than five members. Seventy percent of this amount will be funded by wealthy Armenian businesspeople around the world, and the state will contribute only 30 percent,” Karapetyan said.

He called on the people of Armenia to participate in the elections and, if they want change, to vote for his political force.

Ghazinyan said the party has presented a realistic program, will not make populist promises, and will remain honest with the public.

“We are moving forward, and we are confident that we will have a strong Armenia,” Ghazinyan said.

The Bright Armenia party, led by former lawmaker and former Ambassador-at-Large Edmon Marukyan, will kick off its campaign event in Yeraskh, a village in Armenia’s Ararat Province, on Friday.

In a video posted on social media, Marukyan said the “special event” will be broadcast live.

“We will then travel to Aghveran to meet around two hundred young people to speak about our challenges, plans, and the solutions we offer,” Marukyan said, wishing a successful campaign season to all political forces running for parliament.

Marukyan called on all citizens to go out and vote on June 7.

The Bright Armenia party’s election manifesto is available here.

The campaigning period for the June 7 parliamentary elections kicked off in Armenia on Friday.