Central Bank Governor Martin Galstyan was re-elected on Tuesday after passing a parliamentary confirmation hearing.
Only 69 MPs in the 107-seat parliament took part in the vote following the hearing, and all voted in favor of Galstyan, who was nominated unopposed by the ruling Civil Contract party.
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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, speaking at the inaugural Armenia-EU Summit in Yerevan, said that Armenia could become a hub for new trade routes in the region.
Aside from von der Leyen, the EU side was represented at the meeting by European Council President António Costa and top diplomat Kaja Kallas, among others.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan chaired the meeting on the Armenian side, which also included Cabinet ministers.
The President of the European Commission emphasized that the shortest route from Europe to Central Asia and the Caspian Sea passes through Armenia, but noted that this route had been closed due to war.
“Now you are changing this, thanks to a courageous choice in favor of peace and greater integration into European networks. As a result, Armenia can become a regional hub for new trade routes,” von der Leyen stated.
She also added that the European Union is ready to deepen cooperation with Armenia in the energy sector as well as in digitalization.
Von der Leyen noted that there has always been a special bond between Armenia and Europe. “But we are united not only by our shared history and culture, not only by our ancient ties, but also by the opportunities that lie ahead of us,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
She stressed that Armenia and the European Union are now closer than ever, highlighting that positive progress is being made in the EU visa liberalization process for Armenian citizens.
Von der Leyen recalled that, under the EU’s “Global Gateway” strategy, €2.5 billion in investments for Armenia has already been planned.
“From Ukraine to Iran, the entire region is being shaken by wars, while here in the South Caucasus there is a different story, a different situation. In an era of new conflicts, you are healing old wounds, and we want to support you by showing that peace leads to prosperity,” said Ursula von der Leyen. She pointed to the example of the European Union’s formation, noting that countries that were once enemies were able to build friendship and bring peace to the region through the establishment of trade relations.
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“Only Russia’s defeat”. Armenia’s pro-European politician explains Yerevan’s common goals with Kyiv
In a conversation with LIGA.net, Tigran Khzmalyan emphasized that geopolitically Armenia will break away from Russia if it loses to Ukraine
Ihor Tymots
correspondent of LIGA.net
Yuliia Kuzmenko
News editor at LIGA.net
Armenia is now balancing between influential Russia and attractive Europe, and this will change only when Russia loses politically in the war with Ukraine. This was stated by the Chairman of the European Party of Armenia Tigran Khzmalyan in comments for analysis on LIGA.net.
WHY IT MATTERS
For the first time in decades, Armenia is looking to the West, disillusioned with Russia’s protection. Last year, the country adopted a law on joining the European Union, and recently the capital Yerevan hosted the summit of the European Political Community. Read in the article LIGA.net, how the Armenian future is being decided between Moscow and Europe and what it means for Ukraine.
Russia has several spheres of influence in Armenia, which still forces the current government, led by Prime Minister By Nikol Pashinyan to balance between pandering to Moscow and confident European integration.
First, there is a Russian military base in the southwestern Armenian city of Gyumri. According to Khzmalyan, it was never intended to defend Armenia, only to protect Russian interests in Armenia.
“The Russian base is now so small that it does not pose a serious threat. To our shame and regret, it was one of the sources of threat to Ukraine. Thugs were sent from there to the Ukrainian fronts,” the politician said.
Secondly, Russia owns the Armenian railroad, Armenia’s gas distribution systems, and virtually all copper, molecular and gold mines. Russia controls the supply of fuel for the nuclear power plant. So in this way, it influences the economy, politics and media.
“Russian TV channels broadcast freely in Armenia, spy nests called the House of Russia, the House of Russian Books, the House of Moscow, the Rossotrudnichestvo organization, Compatriots and other branches of the Federal Security Service (FSB), the Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) and the Foreign Intelligence Service operate freely in Armenia,” Khzmalyan added.
Finally, Armenia receives gas for domestic use from Russia. The entire small country could have been satisfied with supplies from another neighbor, Iran. But Russia, with the help of former Armenian President Robert Kocharyan, refused to build a 1.5-meter-diameter pipe that would have allowed the export of Iranian gas, Khzmalyan explained.
Thus, it is difficult for Armenia to break away from these ties. Pro-European political forces understand the importance of Ukraine’s victory for the development of their homeland. The leader of the European Party summarizes: the main geopolitical hope of Armenia, as well as Europe, is the victory of Ukraine and the defeat of Russia. Moreover, the defeat is not only military, but also political, the destruction of the regime of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.
on January 9, the Armenian government approved a draft law on starting the process of accession to the European Union.
In January 2025 Armenia signed with the United States a document on strategic partnership.
on April 21, the head of European diplomacy, Kallas saidthe EU will send a new civilian mission to Armenia to counter disinformation.”The Russian base is now so small that it does not pose a serious threat. To our shame and regret, it was one of the sources of threat to Ukraine. Thugs were sent from there to the Ukrainian fronts,” the politician said.
Secondly, Russia owns the Armenian railroad, Armenia’s gas distribution systems, and virtually all copper, molecular and gold mines. Russia controls the supply of fuel for the nuclear power plant. So in this way, it influences the economy, politics and media.
“Russian TV channels broadcast freely in Armenia, spy nests called the House of Russia, the House of Russian Books, the House of Moscow, the Rossotrudnichestvo organization, Compatriots and other branches of the Federal Security Service (FSB), the Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) and the Foreign Intelligence Service operate freely in Armenia,” Khzmalyan added.
Finally, Armenia receives gas for domestic use from Russia. The entire small country could have been satisfied with supplies from another neighbor, Iran. But Russia, with the help of former Armenian President Robert Kocharyan, refused to build a 1.5-meter-diameter pipe that would have allowed the export of Iranian gas, Khzmalyan explained.
Thus, it is difficult for Armenia to break away from these ties. Pro-European political forces understand the importance of Ukraine’s victory for the development of their homeland. The leader of the European Party summarizes: the main geopolitical hope of Armenia, as well as Europe, is the victory of Ukraine and the defeat of Russia. Moreover, the defeat is not only military, but also political, the destruction of the regime of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.
on January 9, the Armenian government approved a draft law on starting the process of accession to the European Union.
In January 2025 Armenia signed with the United States a document on strategic partnership.
on April 21, the head of European diplomacy, Kallas saidthe EU will send a new civilian mission to Armenia to counter disinformation.
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A group titled “For a Democratic Belarus” may be established in the Armenian parliament. The issue was discussed at a meeting between advisers to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Dzianis Kuchynski and Anatol Liabedzka, and Rustem Bakoyan, one of the heads of the human rights committee in the Armenian parliament.
The sides discussed the human rights situation, opportunities for developing parliamentary cooperation, support for Belarusians and the exchange of experience, the Tsikhanouskaya Office reported.
The main topic of the meeting was the creation of the “For a Democratic Belarus” group. The parties agreed to return to discussing the issue after parliamentary elections in Armenia.
“The parliamentary dimension is another important area of our work. We are consistently expanding the network of support for Belarus: such groups already operate in Moldova and Ukraine, and the next goal is Armenia”, Liabedzka said.
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Something seems to be missing from Armenias new biometric passport. Thats according to many in the country, whohave flaggedan unusual image in the document.
Among pages showcasing Armenias heritage and culture is a picture of Khor Virap. The 17th century monastery is famous largely for its spectacular backdrop of Mount Ararat. In the passport, however, the monastery is depicted from an angle showing only nondescript mountains on the horizon. Critics havecalledthe unusual image a ploy to avoid including Ararat in the official document.
Pages 24-25 of the new Armenian passport
Mount Ararat is situated inside Turkey and officially known by its Turkish name Mount Agri, but the landmark rises prominently above Yerevan on clear days.
The 5,100 meter mountain was a part of ancient kingdoms of Armenia, but ethnic Armenians were driven from settlements around Ararat amid the Ottoman state-led killings, which have been recognized as genocide by dozens of countries including the United States. When borders in the region were redrawn following World War I, Ararat’s twin peaks were included within the eastern edge of modern Turkey.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian recently hinted at the controversy over the passport depiction of Khor Virap,sayingduring a live stream with Interior Minister Arpine Sargsian that, weve chosen such a perspective to suit our policies and what we have discussed for a long time.
Given it is the passport of the Republic of Armenia,” Pashinian added, the passport reflects the territory of the Republic of Armenia.
Mount Ararat (left) seen behind Yerevan’s Mother Armenia monument
The absence of the mountain in the passports, which are set to be rolled out in the fall of 2026, follows a government decision late last year to remove snow-capped icons of Mount Ararat from passport stamps. That decision led to an uproar in the country, includinga lawsuitfiled against the government.
Opposition politician Hayk Mamijanian condemned the removal of the mountain from passport stamps at the time,telling reportersit never ceases to amaze how zealously Pashinian is ready to please Turkey or Azerbaijan.”
Since Azerbaijans military recapture of the Nagorno-Karabakh region in 2023, Armenia has sought to normalize relations with neighboring Azerbaijan and Turkey, both historic foes of Armenia.
Armenia and Azerbaijan initialled apeace agreementin 2025 that includes a clause indefinitely forbidding either country from making territorial claims on the other. Turkey, a close ally of Baku, haslong objectedto Armenias use of Ararat as a national symbol, including in thecoat of armsof the Soviet Republic of Armenia.
A 2022 passport stamp for Armenia featuring the twin peaks of Mount Ararat
Joshua Kucera, a senior analyst for International Crisis Group, says the Khor Virap image appears to be, part of the larger real Armenia narrative that [Pashinian] is promoting, trying to refocus Armenians’ attentions to the issues within their own borders rather than historical Armenia outside its borders.
The Caucasus expert says that reframing effort also includes the recaptured Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan.
Some fear a more consequential target for the Pashinian government could be the current Armenian coat of arms, which features Ararat as its centerpiece, topped with Noahs Ark. The mythical vessel is believed by some Christians to have settled atop Mount Ararat following the biblical flood. In 2023, Pashinian criticized the emblem for representing “a dichotomy between historical Armenia and real Armenia.
A depiction of the Coat of Arms of Armenia featuring Noahs Ark resting atop Mount Ararat
Edmon Marukian, a politician and former ally of the Armenian prime minister, called the 2025 erasure of Mount Ararat from passport stamps a potential precursor to Armenias coat of arms being remade. Removing [Ararat] would require changing the constitution and the law, the politician noted, adding, are we, as citizens, ready to tolerate this?
In April, RFE/RL’s Armenian Service asked Pashinian about the potential for Ararat to be removed from the coat of arms. The prime minister responded only that “I am not raising such a question.”
Armenia And The Disappearing Mountain
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France and Armenia have signed a joint declaration establishing a strategic partnership and agreed to expand cooperation in the defense sector.
According to Aravot, the document was signed by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and French President Emmanuel Macron.
In addition, the two countries signed 13 other bilateral agreements covering defense, finance, cybersecurity, infrastructure, and education.
In particular, a memorandum of understanding between the defense ministries of Armenia and France provides for cooperation in research, development, and advanced military technologies.
In addition, Armenia’s defense ministry signed a contract with the French group Sofema to supply equipment.
An agreement was also concluded with Airbus Helicopters for the delivery of transport helicopters. According to local media, this involves six multi-purpose Airbus H145 helicopters.
It is worth noting that in June 2024, France’s defense minister announced the signing of an agreement to supply Armenia with Caesar self-propelled howitzers.
French President Emmanuel Macron, during a visit to Yerevan, also called on Europe to help Armenia independently secure its borders. Currently, about 4,000 Russian troops remain in the country, including more than 1,000 border guards.
Russian forces are stationed in Armenia under an interstate agreement that established the 102nd military base in Gyumri. This facility serves as Russia’s military presence in the South Caucasus region.
The base was established in 1995 for a period of 25 years, but the agreement was later extended. Under the revised terms, the Russian contingent can remain in the country until 2044.
Russian forces have also been guarding Armenia’s borders since 1992. At that time, the countries signed an agreement under which Russia’s FSB Border Service assumed control of the borders with Türkiye and Iran.
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Ties with Türkiye reach ‘excellent dialogue’ level: Armenian FM
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said Yerevan and Ankara have established an “excellent dialogue” and created multiple opportunities for cooperation as contacts between the two countries intensified.
Speaking at the “Yerevan Dialogue 2026” forum in Armenia’s capital on Wednesday, Mirzoyan noted that both sides had demonstrated political will toward establishing diplomatic relations and reopening the border.
He added that the current level of dialogue between Türkiye and Armenia has reached a stage capable of producing “positive results.”
Border-normalization gains momentum
Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan stated that important progress has already been achieved in the normalization process, while the ultimate goal remains the full opening of borders and establishment of diplomatic relations.
“We took very important steps in the normalization process regarding direct flights between Yerevan and Istanbul and the resumption of cargo transportation between the two countries,” Kostanyan noted.
He also said coordination continues regarding the Alican-Margara border gate, adding that infrastructure preparations have largely been completed.
“Considering the global situation and developments in the Middle East, we believe there is currently a competitive advantage that should be evaluated through communication and connectivity networks involving South Caucasus countries and Türkiye,” Kostanyan remarked.
“I believe there is a general desire within Armenian society to normalize relations with Türkiye, and this is also the policy of the current government.”
Türkiye says border nearly ready to open
Türkiye’s Special Representative for Armenia Normalization, retired ambassador Serdar Kilic, said that the border has “almost reached the point of being ready to open,” although several technical and bureaucratic procedures still need to be completed.
Speaking to Turkish journalists in Yerevan, Kilic described Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz’s recent visit to Armenia as a turning point in bilateral relations, noting that it marked the first visit at that level in many years.
Kilic also highlighted the signing of a protocol on restoring the historic Ani Bridge, located on the historic Silk Road between the two countries, in the presence of Yilmaz and Pashinyan.
He said Turkish Airlines began daily flights to Yerevan on March 11 and would increase the number of flights from May 15, while Pegasus Airlines also operates routes between the two countries.
He also referred to mutual scholarship programs for university students and visa facilitation measures for diplomatic and special passport holders as additional steps supporting normalization.
Despite progress, Kilic cautioned that technical preparations such as fiber-optic infrastructure, customs staffing and security arrangements still need to be finalized before the border could formally reopen.
“You cannot simply announce tomorrow morning that the border is open and start allowing people through immediately,” he said, emphasizing that the remaining infrastructure and administrative work has to be completed first.
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May 6 2026
“We chose the path of democratization, they chose a slightly different one.” Armenia reacted to the Belarusian MFA’s note
In response to the note from the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Armenia reiterated: “Armenia will not be a province.” Relations between Armenia and Belarus are not worsening due to statements by officials, but due to specific hostile steps. This follows from today’s statement by the Chairman of the National Assembly of Armenia, Alen Simonyan, writes “Radio Svaboda”.
“Disrespectful attitude towards Armenia, an CSTO partner, towards Armenian statehood worsens relations. Preparation for the 44-day war together with Azerbaijan worsens relations,” the Armenian service of “Radio Svaboda” quotes Alen Simonyan’s answer to a question about Armenian-Belarusian relations.
“A political course is a matter of choice for each state. For the Republic of Armenia, human rights and freedoms are paramount values. And I believe that each state chooses its own path. We have chosen the path of democratization of Armenia, they have chosen a slightly different one,” Simonyan said about Belarus.
Prior to this, on May 5, an Armenian diplomat Artur Sargsyan was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus and handed a note of protest. The Belarusian side stated that this was done due to Armenia’s recent unfriendly statements and actions.
The reason for this was the words of the same Armenian Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan, who on May 1 stated that his country would not allow itself to turn into “a second Belarus” and would not be governed like Belarus.
In response, the representative of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry Ruslan Varankou called these statements pre-election populism and an attempt to divert the attention of Armenian citizens from internal problems.
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EU Bets €2.5bn on Armenia To Bypass Russia
War in Ukraine and Red Sea disruption are forcing Europe to find new routes for trade and energy.
Javier Villamor
— May 6, 2026
The EU is betting €2.5 billion on Armenia as part of a wider push to move trade and energy into Europe without relying on Russia. At a summit in Yerevan this week, Brussels made clear it sees the country as a new potential transit corridor.
The timing matters. The war in Ukraine has disrupted trade routes that used to pass through Russia. Attacks in the Red Sea have also made shipping between Asia and Europe slower and more expensive. As a result, Brussels is looking for new routes it can depend on.
Armenia is now part of that plan.
The European Commission has included the country in its Global Gateway programme, with around €2.5 billion in planned investment. The money will go into transport links, energy networks, and digital infrastructure. For a small, landlocked country, that is a major commitment.
The EU is not interested in what Armenia produces but in what can pass through it: goods and energy moving along the Middle Corridor—a route linking China and Central Asia to Europe while avoiding Russian territory.
But there is a trade-off. In trying to reduce its reliance on Russia, Europe risks increasing its reliance on other powers, including China.
Trade between the EU and Armenia has already been growing, with the bloc accounting for around 12–13% of Armenia’s trade. New agreements on border control, energy, and digital systems show that closer ties are forming. In simple terms, Brussels is offering investment in return for political alignment.
Armenia, for its part, is starting to move away from Russia. Moscow’s weak response during recent clashes with Azerbaijan has damaged trust between the two countries. Yerevan is now looking to the EU and the United States for support, while also exploring links with countries like India and Iran.
But there are clear limits to how far this can go.
Armenia is still part of the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union, which restricts its trade options. Much of its trade depends on Georgia, its main route to the Black Sea. And its long-running tensions with Azerbaijan and Turkey remain unresolved, despite some recent signs of progress.
Other countries in the region are also competing for influence. Russia is losing ground but is still present. Azerbaijan and Turkey are pushing to become the main energy routes to Europe. Iran could offer an alternative route, but working with it would create political problems for the EU.
Even small steps forward are uncertain. The recent restart of rail transport for energy between Azerbaijan and Armenia would have been unthinkable a few years ago. But it depends on fragile political agreements.
For now, this new corridor exists more on paper than in reality. Armenia’s location makes it useful but also difficult: the terrain is challenging, infrastructure is limited, and key decisions are often made outside the country.
The EU seems aware of this. Armenia is not a solution on its own but part of a wider strategy. The goal is simple: build more routes, rely less on any single country, and reduce risk.
Whether that works will depend on a region that Brussels does not control—and cannot stabilise.
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