On the sidelines of the “Yerevan Dialogue” forum, Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Robert Abisoghomonyan had a meeting with Ivana Živković, the UN Assistant Secretary-General, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for for Europe and the CIS, the foreign ministry said in a readout.

The parties commended the close programmatic cooperation established between Armenia and the UNDP, particularly in the areas of promoting human rights, strengthening democratic institutions, energy, climate and other sectors.

During the meeting, the prospects for cooperation and the implementation of joint initiatives with the UNDP within the framework of the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17)  to be held in Yerevan from October 19 to 30 later this year were discussed. The Deputy Foreign Minister emphasized the importance of the involvement of the UNDP in issues related to climate, biodiversity and the environment.

The interlocutors also touched upon a wide range of regional and international issues of mutual interest. The discussions further focused on the “UN80” reforms and other ongoing developments within the UN system.

EU–Moldova Parliamentary Association Committee has called on the EU Council to open, without delay, accession negotiations for all clusters of chapters, stressing that this step would confirm recognition of Chisinau’s progress and strengthen the credibility of the enlargement process. The appeal is included in the final declaration adopted at the 17th meeting of the EU–Moldova Parliamentary Association Committee, held in Brussels.

The Parliamentary Association Committee discussed the state of Moldova’s EU accession negotiations, the country’s economic situation, as well as the geopolitical and security context, and calls on the European Council “to formally open negotiations for all clusters of chapters without any further delay, starting with the ‘Fundamentals’ cluster during the Cypriot Presidency of the Council and continuing with the other five clusters by the end of 2026,” the Declaration states.

At the same time, the Association Committee “underlines that the formal opening of accession negotiations would send a clear signal that the EU recognizes and rewards Moldova’s achievements, thereby strengthening the credibility and integrity of the enlargement process.”

The Association Committee firmly condemns the actions of the Russian Federation, including attacks on energy infrastructure and the illegal overflight of the airspace of the Republic of Moldova by drones and missiles, which are considered serious violations of sovereignty and threats to regional security.

“It firmly condemns the repeated incursions of Russian drones and missiles into the airspace of the Republic of Moldova, which since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine have exceeded 50 cases; underlines that these are serious violations of sovereignty and involve significant risks to the safety of civilians and regional stability; highlights that such actions are part of a broader pattern of hybrid threats aimed at destabilising the country and bringing it back into Moscow’s sphere of influence,” the Declaration further states.

In the declaration, the Committee welcomes the “record” pace of reforms implemented by the authorities in Chisinau, as well as the launch of technical negotiations on all six clusters of accession chapters. The document highlights the major financial support provided by the EU, including the €1.9 billion package dedicated to reforms and economic growth.

The integration of the Republic of Moldova into important European initiatives, such as “Roam Like at Home” and the SEPA area, is also appreciated as bringing direct benefits to citizens and the business environment.

Particular emphasis is placed on cooperation with Romania, especially in the field of energy security. Electricity interconnection projects are considered essential for reducing energy dependence and enabling integration into the European market.

The declaration reflects major security concerns. The Committee condemns attacks on energy infrastructure and underlines their impact on the country’s energy stability, calling for intensified cooperation between the EU and Moldova in defence, cybersecurity and crisis management.

The meeting was co-chaired by MP Marcel Spatari and MEP Dan Barna, Vice-Chair of the European Parliament Delegation for relations with Moldova. The head of the European Parliament delegation, Siegfried Mureșan, took part in the discussions online.

On the Moldovan side, the meeting was attended by several high-ranking officials, including Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Cristina Gherasimov, Secretary General of the Government Alexei Buzu, Minister of Energy Dorin Junghietu and Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice Stela Braniște.

From the European Union, participants included Gert Jan Koopman, Director-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR), Cristian Pîrvulescu, Co-Chair of the EU–Moldova Civil Society Platform, and Deren Derya, Head of the EEAS Division for the region.

The agenda focused on Chisinau’s main priorities: EU accession negotiations, justice reform, economic developments in the context of the Growth Plan and the future EU multiannual budget, as well as security and energy challenges.

On the margins of the meeting, Marcel Spatari held a bilateral meeting with Sven Mikser, rapporteur for the Republic of Moldova in the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan received Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Sonata Coulter.

“With satisfaction, we both emphasized the Washington agreements and pointed out the tangible results of the cooperation implemented within their framework,” Grigoryan said on social media.

Grigoryan noted that they touched upon the work carried out within the framework of the implementation of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) project and its further progress.

“We also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest,” Grigoryan said.

Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) Director General Kiril Valchev, who arrived in Yerevan at the invitation of the Armenian Foreign Ministry to participate in the “Yerevan Dialogue” forum, visited the Armenpress state news agency on May 4.

He was welcomed by Armenpress Director Narine Nazaryan, who introduced him to the agency’s history and modern capabilities, spoke about the major historical events covered by the 107-year-old news agency, and presented the media outlet’s development vision.

The sides discussed ways to deepen bilateral cooperation, exchange professional experience, and discuss possible new formats of cooperation in the rapidly changing media environment. They also emphasized the role of national news agencies in raising public awareness and strengthening ties between countries.

“We live in a period of rapidly changing media field, where digitalization, new technologies, and especially artificial intelligence are reshaping the entire chain of news creation, dissemination, and consumption. Under these conditions, our partnership gains new importance in terms of sharing experience, effectively using new tools, and providing reliable information,” Nazaryan said.

Nazaryan expressed confidence that Kiril Valchev’s visit would provide a good opportunity to review the results achieved so far and outline new directions for information exchange, joint projects, and expanded cooperation on international platforms.

Valchev noted that he had previously visited Armenia 22 years ago.

“The last time I spent only two days here, but I noticed that the city was dark and life was not very vibrant. This time I am very surprised, because I see the progress Yerevan has made: beautiful parks, new buildings, bright streets, and people who continue to be friendly. I think you should be proud of all this,” he said.

Armenpress and BTA have a long history of cooperation dating back to 2004, when the two agencies signed a cooperation agreement. The partnership gained new momentum in 2022 in Sofia with the signing of a new cooperation agreement between Narine Nazaryan and Kiril Valchev, under which the agencies now exchange at least one news item daily, providing broader and more diverse international coverage for their audiences.

Since the signing of the agreement, BTA has published more than 600 materials citing Armenpress.

“There is a large Armenian community in Bulgaria, and Armenian churches and schools operate in several cities across the country. BTA often covers Armenians living in Bulgaria. You will not find all this in the news feeds of other agencies. We are also interested in articles related to business opportunities and tourism in Armenia,” Valchev said, expressing hope that direct flights between Armenia and Bulgaria would soon resume and contribute to the development of tourism between the two countries.

One of the key goals of the cooperation is also the exchange of journalistic experience.

“We plan to cover the parliamentary elections in Armenia in June. It is possible that journalists from Armenpress will also visit our country to cover important and interesting events. In that case, we can be very useful to each othe,” he said.

During his visit to Armenpress, Valchev met with agency employees, visited the photo archive department, and toured the podcast and press rooms.

The visit to the agency was followed by a tour of the Garni historical and cultural complex, Geghard Monastery, which is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and the Khor Virap monastic complex.

Valchev also visited the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the National Gallery of Armenia, and the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts (Matenadaran), and paid tribute to the victims of the Armenian Genocide.

Accompanied by Armenpress Director Narine Nazaryan, the BTA director also attended the “Musical Bridge: Armenia–France” concert in Gyumri, where Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and French President Emmanuel Macron were the guests of honor.

Valchev also held a brief conversation with Prime Minister’s spokesperson Nazeli Baghdasaryan in Gyumri. The sides emphasized the importance of strengthening media ties, noting that such visits help media organizations better understand one another and contribute to closer understanding between societies.

Valchev also participated in the “Yerevan Dialogue” forum, which brought together high-ranking officials, experts, and representatives of international organizations from various countries to discuss global challenges and prospects for regional cooperation.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, French President Emmanuel Macron, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, and Secretary General of the Council of Europe Alain Berset addressed the opening of the forum.

A ceremonial welcome for Armenia’s Defense Minister Suren Papikyan was held at Poland’s Ministry of National Defense on 6 May, with the participation of an honour guard.

According to the Armenian defense ministry, the national anthems of both countries were performed during the ceremony.

Papikyan’s official visit to the Republic of Poland began on 5 May.

Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan received Tristan Aureau, Head of the Centre for Analysis, Planning and Strategy at the French Foreign Ministry, Grigoryan’s office said.

The sides noted with satisfaction that the state visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Armenia was held at a high level, reflecting the strength of bilateral relations and the centuries-old friendship between the two countries.

The parties emphasized the importance of signing the joint declaration “On establishing strategic partnership between the French Republic and the Republic of Armenia” and expressed confidence that bilateral ties would continue to deepen across all possible areas of cooperation.

During the meeting, the sides also discussed the implementation of previously reached agreements and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing them further.

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže discussed the implementation of programmes in the economic and other sectors alongside the developing political dialogue between Armenia and Latvia, the Armenian Foreign Ministry said.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the “Yerevan Dialogue” forum.

The sides discussed agreements reached following the EPC and Armenia-EU summits, as well as efforts aimed at further advancing the Armenia-EU agenda.

The ministers also discussed cooperation on multilateral platforms and exchanged views on regional developments.

Armenia’s Anna Amroyan won gold in the women’s 77 kg event at the World Youth Weightlifting Championships in Egypt.

Armenia’s Anna Amroyan successfully lifted 100 kg, 104 kg and 106 kg in the snatch event. In the clean and jerk, she lifted 128 kg, 132 kg and 134 kg, finishing first in the discipline.

With a total of 240 kg, Amroyan became the World Youth champion.

Armenia’s Defense Minister Suren Papikyan held a private meeting with Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, followed by expanded-format talks involving delegations from both countries.

The parties expressed satisfaction with the current level of cooperation, noting that it is being effectively implemented in line with the 2026 bilateral plan signed by the defense ministries of Armenia and Poland.

Military education, exchange of experience and participation in joint exercises were identified as priority areas for further cooperation. The sides also discussed the importance of implementing military-technical cooperation under the agreement signed in February 2026.

The ministers agreed to continue discussions in Yerevan. Papikyan invited Kosiniak-Kamysz to visit Armenia. The sides also agreed to open a defense attaché office at the Armenian Embassy in Warsaw in the near future.

The interlocutors also exchanged views on regional and international security issues.

Armenia’s Ambassador to Poland Alexander Arzumanyan also attended the meeting.

Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže said Armenia is located in a geographically important region and that the more successful the country becomes, the stronger and more successful Europe as a whole will be.

Speaking in an interview with Armenpress on the sidelines of the Yerevan Dialogue 2026 international conference, Braže discussed Armenia-Latvia bilateral ties, prospects for expanding cooperation, as well as the political situation in the South Caucasus and the initialed peace agreement between Yerevan and Baku.

Braže also welcomed Armenia’s European aspirations, saying Latvia stands ready to support Yerevan in carrying out reforms and advancing European integration efforts.

-Ms. Braže, how would you assess the current level of relations and political dialogue between Armenia and Latvia? What key elements would you highlight?

–   I think our relations exist for as long as our peoples have known each other, which is for centuries. However, one of the more significant steps took place in the 1920s, when the most famous poet of that time, Janis Rainis, who is now also considered a brand name of Latvian literature and poetry, was so fascinated by Armenian culture, civilisation, history and language that he spent time here and wrote about Armenia in the very first section of Latvia’s first national encyclopaedia. This, of course, made Armenia better known to many Latvian families in practical terms.

We also have close people-to-people ties. There is a large Armenian community in Latvia, which is highly respected and successful. We also have excellent political relations. This is my first visit here as foreign minister, but I have been here several times before as a student and later on private visits.

You recently hosted the European Political Community summit, which was a major and very successful event. Congratulations on hosting it so successfully. In recent days, you also held a number of bilateral events, including the state visit of the French president, the first Armenia-EU summit, and the signing of the joint declaration, which is highly significant.

It is a new framework both for the EU and for Armenia, including in terms of strengthening democracy and resilience. All this is underpinned by quite substantial financial and economic commitments from the EU side.

It is difficult to predict when Armenia will join the EU, but what matters is the path, the reforms. It was exactly the same approach we had in Latvia when we were joining the EU. We started the process in 1999 and joined the European Union only in 2004.

So it was a long road and many reforms were needed, but as a result we are now safer, more prosperous and happier. People live longer, they are healthier, the environment is cleaner. We are fully integrated with other European countries. Businesses are thriving. It makes a major difference for countries.

That is why so many countries want to join the EU. And that is why we also support Armenia’s commitment. As for when and how you will do it, that depends on you. But we are there to help, support and provide advice whenever necessary.

-How do you assess Armenia’s efforts to deepen relations with the European Union?

-I think this is very positive, also for the EU. The European Union is based on democratic principles, institutional stability, mutual respect and shared values. Armenia is such a country as well, so this is a natural relationship.

We are also pleased to support Armenia. In terms of security, there is an EU mission in Armenia working in border regions, and since its establishment, with participation also from Latvia, it has helped stabilize those areas.

We have also established a new rapid response mission aimed at preventing cyber, information and other types of attacks.

These are mutually beneficial relations. Armenia is located in a very important region. The South Caucasus is extremely important, and Armenia borders Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia. It is a place of great geopolitical importance. The more successful Armenia is, the more successful Europe will be.

-What impact could the upcoming official visit of Latvia’s president to Armenia have on bilateral relations?

-It is always a direct opportunity for leaders to exchange views and look at deliverables. A joint declaration will be adopted covering specific areas.

There is also interest from businesses in developing relations. Our airline, Air Baltic, will resume direct flights, which will give new meaning to tourism as well as people-to-people and business ties. This is a peak moment in relations between countries.

It is also important to hear and understand Armenian views and the regional situation, and to find ways for cooperation and joint work.

-How does Latvia assess the Armenia–Azerbaijan peace process and its significance for the region?

–We assessed it then and continue to assess it now as a very positive step, which makes Armenia safer and more economically stable. It also stabilises the region as a whole.

The joint declaration signed by Armenia’s prime minister and Azerbaijan’s president, and the next steps towards institutionalizing peace that are still to be taken, are steps in the right direction. Once peace is institutionalized, it will be possible to focus on other areas.

Security and defense issues, of course, remain key challenges for all of us.

-How do you see the European Union’s role in stabilising the South Caucasus?

-The EU has excellent relations with both Armenia and Azerbaijan. The first major EU–Armenia summit is a significant achievement.

We also hope that Georgia will return to a reform-oriented agenda. We know that the Georgian people want a European future, but the government has chosen a different path.

These partnerships are very important for the EU. The more prosperous and stable the region is, the more stable Europe will be, and the more mutually beneficial the relationships will become.

There is also significant financial commitment from the EU to Armenia, linked to reforms, including €270 million under the “Resilience and Growth” programme and several other packages that provide practical support.

In this regard, actions speak for themselves.

-Is there anything you would like to add?

–We would like to see more Armenian tourists in Latvia. We would be happy to welcome our Armenian friends to enjoy our beaches, cuisine and warm hospitality.