Russia is mad, but can’t do much about it.
May 6, 2026
If a picture could serve as a declaration of independence, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s meet-and-greet photo with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, taken during the just-concluded European Political Community summit, could serve as the prototype.
For much of the post-Soviet era, Armenia was effectively a Russian protectorate. The tight bonds between the two states began fraying after Russia failed to honor its treaty obligations to come to Armenia’s defense during the Second Karabakh War, which ended in 2023 in a disastrous defeat for Yerevan.
Pashinyan’s hearty handshake with Zelenskyy, coupled with the fact that they spoke in English, effectively signaled Yerevan’s intent on making a complete break with the Kremlin and fully embracing a future with the European Union.
“Eight years ago, this country [Armenia] was seen by a lot of countries around the table as a sort of de facto satellite of Russia,” the EU-funded Euronews outlet quoted French President Emmanuel Macron as saying during the summit. He went on to praise Pashinyan for “de-risking this country [Armenia] from Russia.”
Zelenskyy, the Kremlin’s bête noire, tweaked Russia by stating Armenia and Ukraine will strengthen economic relations. “I proposed resuming the work of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation and holding its next meeting this year in Kyiv,” the Ukrainian president wrote on social media.
Russian leaders have reacted predictably. A prominent Russian senator, Konstantin Kosachev, assailed what he described in a Telegram post as Armenia’s “betrayal.” He went on to accuse the West of playing a long game, stretching back over a decade and pre-dating Pashinyan’s rise to power, working assiduously to de-couple Armenia from Russia.
“Instructions … are now being executed in full force—cynically, duplicitously, and without a shred of shame. There is not even a whiff of sovereignty in the air,” Kosachev wrote. “This serves as a crucial lesson for Russia—a lesson born of bitter errors. We will learn from it. It is never too late to do so, no matter how bitter the pill may taste right now, in the wake of this betrayal.”
Shortly after the start of the Yerevan summit and the Pashinyan-Zelenskyy meeting, major Russian online retailers, including Ozon, announced they would stop offering Armenian-sourced products on their platforms.
Meanwhile, Russian mass media declared the Yerevan gathering, which brought together almost 50 leaders from across Europe, along with top members of the European Union leadership, as an “anti-Russian summit.” One Russian outlet noted the fact that the summit was held in Yerevan this year “demonstrate[s] attempts by Europe and the United States to expand their influence in the Caucasus region.”
An EU-Armenia summit, convened May 4 amid the larger pan-European gathering, gave a ringing endorsement to Pashinyan’s efforts to steer the country in a westward direction.
“This first EU-Armenia Summit elevates our partnership to a new level and sets a clear direction and agenda for the coming years,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement. “Going forward, we will also deepen political dialogue, strengthen economic ties, and work towards a more secure, prosperous, and stable future. Our cooperation is grounded in common values, a shared vision for the South Caucasus, and full respect for sovereign choices.”
The EU announced the establishment of a Partnership Mission in Armenia to enhance the country’s security and “resilience.” The two sides also created an EU-Armenia Connectivity Partnership, which the EU statement lauded as “a major step forward in strengthening transport, energy, and digital links.”
The timing of the EU’s fresh support for the Armenian government’s political and economic course is crucial for Pashinyan, given that he is locked in a tough reelection battle against an array of Russian-backed opposition forces. He is counting on EU backing to boost his electoral fortunes. The country will hold parliamentary elections on June 7. Opposition leaders are on record as vehemently opposing Pashinyan’s pro-EU course.
In addition to backing Armenia’s efforts to diminish Russian influence, an EU statement “reiterated its principled position on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, and reaffirmed its support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.”
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Why Jewish and Armenian Networks Should Work Together
International relations are no longer shaped solely by states. Over the past three decades, power has diffused into transnational networks — diasporas, lobbying ecosystems, financial flows, and digital communities that operate across borders with speed and flexibility that governments cannot match. These networks influence legislation, shape media narratives, mobilize capital, and increasingly determine access — often with fewer constraints than formal diplomacy.
Consider the mechanics. In the United States, pro-Israel advocacy networks have helped secure consistent military aid packages exceeding $3.8 billion annually, while maintaining bipartisan political backing for Israel across decades of shifting administrations. At the same time, global Jewish philanthropic networks distribute billions of dollars annually through foundations that fund education, security, and cultural initiatives worldwide. These are not abstract “soft power” tools but structured systems of influence operating continuously across political, economic, and cultural domains.
Armenian networks, while smaller, demonstrate a similar model. Armenian diaspora organizations — particularly in the United States, France, and Russia — have coordinated long-term campaigns that culminated in over 30 countries formally recognizing the Armenian Genocide, including the United States in 2021. In France alone, Armenian advocacy has repeatedly translated into legislative action, public commemorations, and sustained political visibility. These outcomes were not achieved through state leverage, but through persistence of networked influence.
Beyond lobbying, transnational networks operate through economic channels. Armenian business diasporas maintain investment flows into sectors ranging from construction to IT, particularly in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Jewish networks, for their part, are deeply embedded in global finance, technology, and venture capital ecosystems linking innovation hubs from Tel Aviv to Silicon Valley. These economic linkages create parallel channels of influence that often bypass formal diplomatic constraints.
The scale of these systems is significant. The Jewish diaspora numbers approximately 8–9 million people outside Israel, while the Armenian diaspora is estimated at more than 7 million. Together, these communities represent a combined global network of over 15 million people, embedded across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and beyond.
And yet, despite these structural similarities, cooperation between Jewish and Armenian transnational networks remains minimal. This is a strategic blind spot.
For decades, relations have been framed through a state-centric lens shaped by Israel’s security cooperation with Azerbaijan, energy considerations, and its complex relationship with Turkey. But this perspective overlooks where influence is increasingly generated: below the level of formal diplomacy.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the Turkish factor — not only as a historical issue, but as an active geopolitical variable.
For Armenians, the legacy of the Armenian Genocide — in which up to 1.5 million Armenians perished — remains a central pillar of global identity and political mobilization. Ankara’s continued refusal to fully recognize the events, coupled with its global lobbying efforts to prevent recognition, has turned historical memory into a persistent arena of geopolitical contestation.
For Jews, sensitivity to denialism is deeply rooted in the experience of the Holocaust. But the Turkish dimension today extends beyond memory. Over the past decade, relations between Turkey and Israel have shifted from strategic alignment to recurring confrontation.
Under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Ankara has increasingly adopted an assertive regional posture, combining geopolitical expansion with ideological positioning. Diplomatic crises — from the Gaza flotilla raid to repeated ambassador withdrawals and sustained anti-Israel rhetoric — have transformed bilateral relations into a volatile and often adversarial dynamic. Turkish leadership has at times blurred the line between criticism of Israeli policy and broader anti-Jewish narratives, contributing to a more hostile information environment.
Simultaneously, Turkey has expanded its influence across the South Caucasus, the Eastern Mediterranean, and parts of the Middle East. Its close military partnership with Azerbaijan — including direct support during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflicts — has introduced new complexities into Israel’s regional positioning.
This creates an unexpected convergence. For Armenians, Turkey represents unresolved historical trauma combined with ongoing geopolitical pressure. For Jews and Israel, it is an increasingly unpredictable regional actor whose rhetoric and positioning can directly affect diplomatic space and community security. Both communities are therefore navigating not only the legacy of Turkey’s past, but the implications of its present.
That shared experience matters.
According to the Anti-Defamation League’s report, antisemitic attitudes exceed 50 percent in several regions, particularly across the Middle East and North Africa. In Europe, antisemitic incidents have risen steadily over the past decade. Yet in many of these same regions, Armenian communities occupy a different position.
In countries such as Lebanon and Iran, Armenian communities operate as historically rooted and politically neutral minorities, maintaining broad social integration and relatively flexible external connections. Jewish communities, including in Iran, also retain formal recognition — with synagogues, schools, and even a reserved parliamentary seat.
Yet their position is more constrained. Political _expression_ is tightly limited, particularly on issues related to Israel, and community leadership operates within clearly defined boundaries set by the state. This creates a crucial distinction: while Jewish communities maintain continuity, their ability to function as outward-facing transnational networks is often restricted. Armenian networks, by contrast, tend to retain greater flexibility in external engagement, particularly in regions where political sensitivities limit direct Jewish presence.
This asymmetry creates potential complementarity. Armenian networks cannot and should not act as intermediaries for Jewish interests. But they can facilitate indirect channels of engagement, cultural exchange, and perception-building in regions where direct Jewish outreach is limited. In a network-driven world, influence often depends less on formal alliances than on access and trust.
The complementarity runs both ways. Jewish transnational networks remain among the most advanced globally. Their experience in advocacy, coalition-building, and strategic communication has produced measurable outcomes — from sustained international support for Israel to the institutionalization of Holocaust education worldwide. Armenian networks, while effective, remain less systematized.
A structured exchange — sharing advocacy techniques, digital mobilization strategies, and institutional best practices — could strengthen Armenian capacity while expanding Jewish reach into regions where access is otherwise limited.
Crucially, this potential rests on a foundation of relatively positive mutual perception. Armenians, unlike many groups in regions where antisemitism is prevalent, generally view Jews without entrenched hostility. In an era where perception defines the boundaries of engagement, this fact matters.
The case for Jewish-Armenian cooperation is rooted in structural reality. Both are small nations with global footprints. Both rely on diasporas that exceed their populations at home. Both operate in a world where influence is increasingly exercised through networks rather than states. And both face a geopolitical environment in which traditional alliances are less predictable and often insufficient.
Israel has mastered statecraft under difficult conditions. But in a system where transnational networks shape policy, narratives, and access, statecraft alone is no longer enough. The next phase of strategy must look beyond formal alliances — toward partnerships between networks.
Jewish and Armenian diasporas have developed in parallel for centuries, often confronting similar challenges, yet rarely aligning their strengths. That may be one of the most underexplored strategic opportunities of our time. If Jews and Israel continue to think only in terms of states, it risks overlooking the structures that increasingly define global power. And among those structures, the potential alignment between Jewish and Armenian transnational networks is strategically consequential.
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Booking 17 rooms in a hotel, enjoying Armenian food & more: how Cristiano Rona
George Woodward
Yesterday, 6 May 2026
Two floors and 400 square metres. This is how Ronaldo lived in his first month after joining Al Nassr
Immediately after his transfer to Al Nassr in 2023, Ronaldo settled in the luxury Four Seasons hotel in the Kingdom Centre. The ceilings there are very high — the lobby alone is 10 storeys tall. Cristiano rented two floors (the 49th and 50th). One was for his family and the other for his staff.
Ronaldo used a private lift, made use of the gym, pool, spa and played tennis. His access everywhere was unlimited and completely free. Per month, such a luxury stay would have cost around $300,000, but no one took any money from Ronaldo. He did not pay anything in the hotel restaurants either, even though his personal chef was also living with him.
In the same Kingdom Centre there is a large shopping mall and a lift that takes you up to the observation deck. It is quite unusual because of its shape and the bridge connecting the two ends.
A $15-million house in a unique district and a comfortable life in a once closed country
The official address of Ronaldo’s house in Saudi Arabia is, naturally, kept strictly secret. It is, however, known for certain that his home is in the elite Al Muhammadiyah district. It is filled with sand-coloured houses with very modern architecture, floor-to-ceiling windows, open terraces and marble fences.
There are many convenient, large areas for walking, as well as expensive restaurants and shops of well-known brands. There is also everything you need for sport — football pitches and tennis courts.
Cristiano bought his house for $15 million, and it is just a 15-minute drive from Al Nassr’s stadium. Ronaldo himself probably does not even notice that he is living in a fairly closed eastern country. But now there is literally everything here for a comfortable life.
There are few districts like this for now, but the country is developing very actively in this direction. The westernisation and relative liberalisation of Saudi Arabia is the work of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. In 2016 he presented ‘Vision 2030’, the key programme for the development of Saudi Arabia.
Having looked at neighbouring UAE and Qatar, the prince also set about modernising his country. The main goal is to reduce the economy’s dependence on oil by developing other sectors. Entertainment is one of the priority areas.
Until 2018, even cinemas and concerts were banned in Saudi Arabia. Now all of this exists, albeit not yet in large numbers. The emerging leisure industry still does not fully satisfy demand, and locals fly to Dubai or Bahrain for the weekend. But there is one type of entertainment in which the Saudis have already overtaken their neighbours — football. With an ambassador like Cristiano, that is no surprise. Crowds of tourists come to the country purely because of Ronaldo.
Cristiano celebrated his birthday in an Armenian restaurant. And he did not even book the whole place out
‘Lavash’ is a three-storey Armenian restaurant. It has a main hall, a VIP area and a terrace. Interestingly, it was Ronaldo’s fiancee Georgina Rodriguez who first celebrated her birthday there, and a few days later Cristiano himself did the same. Waiter Vergina worked at both parties and shared a few details.
The first time, Ronaldo and his wife sat upstairs, a little secluded from everyone. The second time they settled right in the middle of the ground-floor hall. Ordinary guests were sitting right next to them, and the restaurant was completely packed.
In other words, Ronaldo, despite having the biggest salary in football history, still spends his money rationally. Why book out an entire huge restaurant if you have not invited that many people and one area is enough? No trace of star behaviour or arrogance. Just a normal person.
Cristiano made the impression of being very pleasant and kind. He constantly thanked the staff, and it was clear that he liked everything very much. The whole group celebrating with him agreed it was an excellent choice of venue. Everyone was happy and, of course, they left a generous tip.
Cristiano ordered the restaurant’s signature dish — khobob. There were also lots of Armenian starters and salads. The Portuguese star also enjoyed the desserts, which were served at the end of the evening, including the cake with candles. Although it always seemed that Ronaldo does not eat sweets at all, in reality that is not quite true. Of course, he did not eat the whole cake, but he did allow himself a small portion. A little is allowed, especially on your birthday.
When Cristiano celebrated his big day there, a crowd gathered outside the restaurant doors. They were waiting for Ronaldo to come out to them. He does not really like taking photos and usually forbids it at such moments, but he did make an exception for the restaurant staff.
https://tribuna.com/en/blogs/booking-17-rooms-in-a-hotel-enjoying-armenian-food-more-how/
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Sports: Ismailia, Day 5: Golds for Venezuela and Armenia – and 17-year-old wi
Ismailia, Day 5: Golds for Venezuela and Armenia – and 17-year-old wins medal after 16kg weight gain
Angel Rodriguez was an impressive winner for Venezuela and Anna Amroyan from Armenia was in tears after a dramatic victory with the last lift of the day at the IWF World Junior Championships in Ismailia, Egypt. It was the first day without a winner from Asia.
The top three in the women’s 77kg had all won medals at the senior European Championships in Georgia 12 days ago, where Amroyan set a junior continental record in clean and jerk after bombing out in snatch. The leading two in Georgia, Janette Ylisoini from Finland and 17-year-old Varvara Kuzminova from Russia, finished second and third here.
This time Amroyan made all six attempts to finish 106-134-240. She won with her final lift, then fell flat on her back in tears. There were more tears on the podium as her anthem was played.
Ylisoini made only one snatch but it was enough for gold. She missed her final clean and jerk and finished 108-131-239. Kuzminova made 107-130-237 and with the Georgian snatch silver medallist Nana Khorava next on 108-126-234, the top four were all European.
Seine Stowers, the Samoan who was within 3kg of the junior world record when she won the Oceania title on 254kg last month, had the highest entry total but did not make it to Egypt.
Ylisoini was competing internationally for the 22nd time in less than five years. She likes to keep busy but said, “I had only five days at home after Georgia before I flew to Egypt. I need a break so I will take some rest now and my next competition will be the World Championships in China (in October and November).”
Rodriguez, narrowly beaten last year, made five good lifts for 168-197-365 at 88kg.
Asian athletes still had cause to celebrate when Kazakhstan’s two men in the session both won medals. One of them, 17-year-old Alikhan Askerbay, increased his body weight by 23.43 per cent in 190 days – and said he will put on more weight yet.
At last year ‘s World Juniors Rodriguez weighed in light in the 89kg category and gave a 4kg body weight advantage to the Georgian winner Goga Jajvani. He was beaten by one kilogram.
Venezuela had high hopes of Rodriguez, who prepared well and weighed in within a few grams of the limit this time. He dominated from the start and led by 7kg at halfway. After missing his final attempt on 200kg he was 9kg clear of Yerasyl Saulebekov, who needed to equal the world record in clean and jerk to overtake him. He could not do it.
“I tried very hard and did what I could but I’m not satisfied with silver,” Saulebekov said. “I was here for gold.”
Askerbay weighed 70.73kg and lifted in the 71kg category at the Asian Youth Games in October 2025, his last international competition before today. In Ismailia 190 days later he was 87.3kg, up by 16.57kg.
“I ate a lot of horse meat, I ate a lot of everything,” he said of his remarkable weight gain. “I’m going to get even heavier because the plan is for me to go up and Yerasyl to go down to 85.”
Askerbay, who holds all three youth world records at 71kg, took silver in snatch, bronze in clean and jerk and finished third on total. He made all six lifts for 161-194-355.
Saulebekov, a Youth world champion at 67kg and 73kg, improved his best total by 12kg on 157-199-356. Fourth-placed Moustafa Bakry from Egypt won snatch bronze on 158kg.
By Brian Oliver
https://iwf.sport/2026/05/06/ismailia-day-5-golds-for-venezuela-and-armenia-and-17-year-old-wins-medal-after-16kg-weight-gain/
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Armenian parliamentary speaker accuses Belarus of unfriendly steps, diplomatic
Tensions escalated after the Armenian parliamentary speaker accused Belarus of hostile steps, signaling a growing diplomatic rift with regional implications.
As the media notes, Azatutyun.
Relations between Armenia and Belarus are deteriorating not because of statements by officials, but due to concrete unfriendly steps, according to a statement published on May 6 by the head of Armenia’s National Assembly, Alen Simonyan.
“A disrespectful attitude toward Armenia, a partner in the Collective Security Treaty Organization, toward Armenian statehood is worsening relations. The preparation for the 44-day war together with Azerbaijan is worsening relations”
– Armenian Service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
“Political course is a matter of each state’s choice. For the Republic of Armenia, human rights and freedoms are the most important values. And I believe that every state chooses its own path. We chose the path of democratizing Armenia; they are something else”
– Alen Simonyan
Context of events and reactions from the sides
On May 5, Belarus’s Foreign Ministry summoned the temporary chargé d’affaires of Armenia, Artur Sargsyan, and handed him a protest note.
“A firm protest was expressed to the Armenian diplomat and the corresponding note was handed over in connection with the latest unfriendly actions by the Armenian side”
– Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
“We will not allow Armenia to become a province. We will not be governed the way Belarus is governed”
– Alen Simonyan
On May 4, Belarusian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ruslan Voronkov called these words “pre-election populism and a desperate attempt to distract their own voters from serious internal problems”.
“pre-election populism and a desperate attempt to distract their own voters from serious internal problems”
– Ruslan Voronkov
“Armenia will not be a province. Armenia will not be politically dependent”
– Alen Simonyan
“Armenia will raise the level of its political sovereignty in all spheres, and the example of governance by Belarus is unacceptable for my country and for me. Armenia is a free country with free media, human rights and the rule of law”
– Alen Simonyan
Analyst Valer Karbalyevich of the Belarusian Service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty believes that the reason for the Belarusian authorities’ irritation is that Yerevan has freedom of choice and the possibility of political maneuvering between Russia and Europe, something Minsk, which is completely dependent on Moscow, cannot allow itself. According to Karbalyevich, the demarche of the Belarusian MFA also reflects the Russian position. This is not the first time when the Belarusian authorities say something that is easier to say to Moscow.
In the context of public statements between Yerevan and Minsk, tensions are rising – regional politics are taking on a more complex character: one side seeks greater sovereign governance, the other – dependence on external factors and internal realities.
Overall, this story highlights a sharp debate between Armenia’s pursuit of democracy and Belarus’s stable political course, while also reflecting the broader geopolitical dynamics of the region and Russia’s influence on regional decisions.
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Rescheduled Armenian Festival Set for May 30 in Victory Park
Organizers hope for a sunny day.
The Second Annual Pasadena Armenian Festival will be held Saturday, May 30, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Victory Park, 2575 Paloma Street. The Master of Ceremonies is Natalie Tavidian. This is a rescheduled even from November, 2025, when the festival was rained-out.
Festival parking is available at Victory Park, the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), 2495 E Mountain St, and Norma Coombs School, 2600 Paloma Street.
The festival program includes performances by students from several Armenian schools in Pasadena, famous Armenian singers, ensembles, and dance academy students. There will be art displays and handicrafts by non-profit organizations and private vendors.
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Costa: Armenia plays key role in EU relations with South Caucasus
President of the European Council António Costa lauded the first Armenia–EU Summit as a historic event.
Speaking at the inaugural Armenia–EU Summit in Yerevan, Costa said that both the EPC Summit held on May 4 and the first bilateral summit have historic significance.
“Yesterday, we had a very historic moment with the first meeting of the EPC in the region.
But today, we have a new very important historic moment, the first ever summit between the European Union and Armenia. This sends a clear signal of how the EU wishes to engage with Armenia.
Now Armenia is living a new momentum of peace, of consolidation of your democratic regime, and this of course is the good environment to develop our bilateral relationship. The strategic agenda for the European Union-Armenia partnership was adopted last December, and since then we have been strengthening our relationship.
We are also working very closely on security and defence, from the European Peace Facility to joint efforts against the hybrid threat. As you know, the European Union partnership mission that was decided last April, that aims to strengthen Armenia’s democratic resilience, is a tangible sign of our shared commitment to addressing common challenges. And of course, for us it’s very important to protect the freedom of Armenian people to choose their own destiny.
And you can count on us to work together and to develop together our common destiny. Armenia is a key pillar in our relationship with the South Caucasus, but also to interconnect Europe through the South Caucasus to Caspian Sea, Central Asia. This is the history of our regions, and this will be also the future of our regions. And that’s why the European Commission and President von der Leyen for sure will focus on the concrete deliverables of this summit and how we can build on, in our strategic partnership, our common future in peace and for the prosperity of Armenian people and Europe,” he said.
Published by Armenpress, original at
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PM describes Armenia–EU Summit as historic milestone in strengthening ties
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said the inaugural Armenia–EU Summit in Yerevan elevates the bilateral relationship to a new qualitative level.
Speaking at the summit on Tuesday in Yerevan, Pashinyan described it as a historic event.
“When we mutually refer to today’s summit as the first bilateral summit, it means that the holding of a second, third, and subsequent summits is also implied. I believe the issue is not only the name itself, but also that our relations have already developed such a substantial agenda that, in a predictable way, it will be necessary in the near future to discuss it at the level of summits, while of course assuming that quite detailed and extensive work must be carried out in between, which has already been done so far,” the Prime Minister said at the meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa, and top diplomat Kaja Kallas, among others.
Pashinyan noted with satisfaction that the discussions held in a narrow-format meeting within the framework of the summit showed that there are common positions and a shared understanding on many items on the agenda.
“This means that there is an appropriate atmosphere for us to focus on the implementation and realization of the agenda. I would also like to thank the European Union for the support provided to us during this period, particularly in the areas of democratic and institutional reforms. I have often had the opportunity to say that democracy for us is not a coincidence of circumstances, but a strategy consciously adopted as a decision by the people of the Republic of Armenia,” Pashinyan emphasized.
The Prime Minister added that all reforms that could be implemented relying solely on political will have already been carried out, and further progress will require greater institutional, legislative, and expert input.
“In this regard, our cooperation with the EU is very important, and I can already thank our partners for supporting us in this area, starting with ensuring the independence of the judiciary, and extending to various issues, including countering hybrid challenges, which is, of course, part of our agenda,” the Prime Minister added, expressing hope that the EU will support efforts to address issues such as disinformation and the spread of hate speech through the exchange of experience or by providing access to already established tools.
Published by Armenpress, original at
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Macron visits Matenadaran in Yerevan
French President Emmanuel Macron visited the Matenadaran, officially known as the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, in Yerevan on Tuesday.
The Matenadaran is a renowned depository of ancient manuscripts, combining the functions of a museum, archive, and scientific institution.
Armenia’s Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, Zhanna Andreasyan, as well as Matenadaran Director Ara Khzmalyan, accompanied the French president during a tour of the institution. Macron viewed the exhibits in the French section and signed the guestbook.
The French president is on a state visit to Armenia. A meeting with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is expected to take place. The leaders will deliver statements to the press after a document-signing ceremony. Macron and Pashinyan will also visit Gyumri.
Published by Armenpress, original at
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EU outlines key areas of cooperation with Armenia
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen outlined the priority areas of cooperation between Armenia and the European Union, on which agreements were reached and documents were signed during the first Armenia–EU Summit held Tuesday in Yerevan.
“Armenia has long been a valuable member of the broader European family. The peaceful Velvet Revolution in 2018 demonstrated your country’s commitment to European values — democracy, the rule of law, and fundamental rights. Today, I would like to reaffirm our strong support for Armenia. We are living in a rapidly changing context, and the first Armenia–EU Summit, held in this challenging environment, is more timely than ever. It provides a good opportunity to deepen our ties and elevate our unique partnership to a new level, and that is exactly what we will do,” said the President of the European Commission during a press conference after the summit.
She outlined the key areas for deepening cooperation between Armenia and the European Union.
“The first area is connectivity. We have just signed a Connectivity Partnership document, which elevates our cooperation to a new level. The first pillar of this area is transport. Very few countries are as uniquely positioned as Armenia. Your ‘Crossroads of Peace’ initiative has the potential to connect Europe with the South Caucasus and Central Asia, turning Armenia into a key transport hub. We are already ready to work on upgrading border crossing points once borders with neighboring countries are opened. We know how important it is for Armenia to be well integrated into regional transport networks, which is why we will support your integration into key transport corridors such as the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, which is also of strategic importance for Europe. That is why today we are launching a high-level dialogue on transport. Transport and mobility are driving forces that enhance competitiveness,” said the President of the European Commission.
As the second pillar of cooperation on connectivity, von der Leyen highlighted the energy sector.
“The development of solar energy in Armenia is significant. It is a clear sign of diversification in Armenia’s energy sector and of crucial importance, especially in light of the energy crisis we are all facing today,” said the President of the European Commission.
She added that the European Union will promote Armenia’s energy security, taking into account its valuable renewable resources. According to her, €25 million will be invested in the Caucasus electricity network for the construction of energy storage facilities to ensure the security of energy supply.
The next pillar, von der Leyen said, is the information technology sector. “Armenia has an impressive ecosystem in artificial intelligence and engineering. This is a strong asset, and we want to build on it. Together, we have identified several projects, and in this room we witnessed the signing of several letters of intent with leading Armenian companies. We are encouraging European companies to invest here, where there is strong human capital and significant opportunities,” she noted.
According to von der Leyen, the next priority is stronger cooperation in the field of security. “Under the European Peace Facility, we support Armenia’s Armed Forces, but Armenia must also confront hybrid threats, interference, and the manipulation of the information space. Our partnership will help you withstand these threats. One thing is clear: the only legitimate source of power in this country is the will of the Armenian people,” she said.
Another priority, according to von der Leyen, is work toward visa liberalization. “Visa liberalization is a priority that is deeply important to the Armenian people. As we seek to bring our societies closer together, we are pleased to present the first progress report. Congratulations — it is very positive. Good work has been done and progress has been made since last November, and we are fully confident that we will achieve this. Today we are also approving working arrangements between FRONTEX and Armenia, which will strengthen cooperation in border management and migration flows,” said Ursula von der Leyen.
She added that another priority is economic support and social resilience. Von der Leyen recalled that two years ago the “Resilience and Growth” plan was launched, under which €270 million has been allocated to Armenia. She highlighted the successful implementation of the program, noting that an additional €2.5 billion in investments is expected to be mobilized within its framework.
“We are helping Armenian businesses access new markets and grow, investing in skills development and employment, as well as in demining, which is vital for safety and security. We are also providing much-needed support to those displaced from Karabakh, including housing,” Ursula von der Leyen concluded.
Published by Armenpress, original at
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