Analyst says Armenian government acting as proxy for Turkey, Azerbaijan

Jane Topchian
Panorama, Armenia
April 22 2026

Armenian political analyst Hayk Nahapetyan has accused Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s administration of serving as an instrument for Turkish and Azerbaijani interests, claiming that campaigns against the Armenian Apostolic Church and efforts to dilute recognition of the 1915 Armenian Genocide are externally driven.

Speaking at a forum organized by the Alternative Projects Group on Wednesday, Nahapetyan argued that the government is not independently motivated in its policies. “The motivation belongs to two states — Turkey and Azerbaijan — while he [Pashinyan] is merely their executor,” he said.

Nahapetyan cited what he described as a coordinated effort to undermine the Armenian Apostolic Church, which he called the only national institution resisting regional pressures. He recalled that criticism of the Church and its leader, Catholicos Karekin II, intensified after a statement by Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, head of the Caucasus Muslims Board. Days later, Karekin II convened Christian leaders in Switzerland to discuss the genocide and the future of Artsakh.

According to Nahapetyan, Ankara and Baku envision Armenia’s future without Artsakh, genocide recognition and the institutional elements that preserve historical memory. He stressed that recognition of the genocide carries the prospect of material reparations, a scenario Turkey is determined to avoid. Neutralizing the diaspora — unified largely through the Church — is therefore central to this strategy, he said.

“Turkey and Azerbaijan, through Pashinyan, are attempting to dismantle the church,” Nahapetyan asserted, framing the campaign as part of a broader effort to erase the legacy of the genocide and weaken Armenian national identity.

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Armenian President Delivers Speech at Astana Summit, Emphasizing Climate Actio

Manouk Vasilian
The Times of Central Asia
April 22 2026

Astana, Kazakhstan – Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan addressed the Regional Ecological Summit (RES 2026) today, speaking about the urgent challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and the need for strengthened international cooperation. The summit, themed “Shared Vision for a Resilient Future,” opened its sessions on Earth Day under the patronage of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

In his remarks, President Khachaturyan expressed deep gratitude to his Kazakh counterpart, the government, and the people of Kazakhstan for their warm hospitality and the excellent organization of this important event. “It is an honor to address the Regional Ecological Summit in Astana,” he stated. He praised Kazakhstan’s leadership in advancing global and regional cooperation on climate change and environmental protection, describing the event as an important platform for dialogue bringing together governments, the scientific community, civil society, and international partners.

Highlighting Armenia’s unique vulnerabilities, the President noted that, as a landlocked, developing, and mountainous nation, Armenia is already experiencing severe effects of climate change despite contributing just 0.02% of global greenhouse gas emissions. “Over the past decades, the average temperature in the country has increased by more than one degree Celsius and is projected to continue rising by mid-century,” he said. These changes have triggered more frequent extreme weather events, including floods and droughts, leading to significant ecological losses, declining precipitation, glacier retreat, and growing water scarcity — particularly affecting rural communities and mountain ecosystems.

President Khachaturyan welcomed Kazakhstan’s initiative to convene international consultations on strengthening cooperation for effective water resource management and said Armenia will actively participate.

On the climate front, he reaffirmed Armenia’s ambitious nationally determined contributions (NDCs): a 44% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 compared to 1990 levels through domestic measures, rising to 52% with international support. “Armenia undertakes these commitments with full awareness of its national capacity and the importance of international cooperation,” he emphasized, citing the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities.

Turning to biodiversity, the President stressed that rising temperatures are a major driver of biodiversity loss, with profound consequences for ecosystems, human health, food security, and economies worldwide. He announced that Armenia will host the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Yerevan in October later this year. “These efforts reflect our small country’s strong commitment to promote global nature conservation,” Khachaturyan declared, inviting all participants to join the landmark gathering “to review our progress and identify ways to accelerate efforts to restore and protect the environment for present and future generations.”

The Armenian President concluded by underscoring the critical role of international cooperation, including the mobilization of financial resources, sharing of expertise, and the transfer of technology. “Armenia stands ready to cooperate with regional and international partners, to share our experience and to learn from others,” he said. “Together, we can protect our planet Earth, ensure long-term resilience and well-being for our societies.”

President Khachaturyan’s address highlights Armenia’s efforts to present itself as an active participant in global environmental diplomacy despite its modest emissions footprint, particularly through its upcoming role hosting COP17. The three-day Regional Ecological Summit continues through April 24, focusing on climate resilience, biodiversity, and sustainable development across the region.

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New EU civilian mission to be deployed in Armenia

Emil Lazarian
JAM News
April 22 2026
  • JAMnews
  • Yerevan

A new European Union civilian mission will be sent to Armenia, with an initial mandate of two years. The EU’s Foreign Affairs Council approved the decision on 21 April. Yerevan had requested support from Brussels in December 2025. Armenia’s foreign ministry said the mission will help counter hybrid threats and strengthen democratic resilience.

The document is not yet publicly available. However, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has obtained a copy. The outlet reports that the new structure will be called the “EU Partnership Mission in Armenia” (EUPM Armenia). It is expected to begin operating in the coming months. The mission will include 20 to 30 experts based in Yerevan.

According to the document, the mission will advise relevant Armenian ministries and agencies on countering hybrid threats. These include foreign information manipulation and interference, cybercrime, and illicit financial flows in electoral and political contexts.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports that the mission is primarily concerned about possible Russian interference in Armenia’s parliamentary elections on 7 June. However, the document itself does not explicitly mention this.

“The future of Armenia must be determined by its citizens freely and democratically, without external pressure,” the document states.

A journalist asked Arman Yeghoyan, a member of the ruling party and chair of parliament’s European integration committee, why Armenia does not name the sources of hybrid threats, while EU officials often openly point to Russia. He said the perception of threats in Armenia and the EU is the same, but the wording differs.

“There are issues where I would not use the same language as Kaja Kallas. The fact is, I am in a different position. I have different resources, and I must use them carefully and rationally. I must avoid creating new risks for Armenia and focus on neutralising existing ones,” he said in an interview with a local outlet.

The EU’s first long-term civilian monitoring mission (EUMA) began work in Armenia in 2023. It operates along the Armenian side of the Armenia–Azerbaijan border and aims to support stability in border areas.

In 2025, the EU extended its mandate until 2027. The mission now includes more than 200 personnel, who patrol specific sections of the border. Observers send the results of their monitoring to Brussels.

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Armenian foreign ministry response

Armenia’s foreign ministry has welcomed the EU Foreign Affairs Council’s decision to deploy a new civilian mission. The ministry said the move represents another joint initiative under the Armenia–EU strategic partnership agenda.

The ministry has released limited details so far. Its statement focuses on the mission’s areas of work. These include countering hybrid threats, such as disinformation, cyberattacks and illicit financial flows.

“The mission, through its activities, will contribute to strengthening institutional capacity in the above-mentioned areas and enhancing the resilience of Armenian society to modern challenges,” the ministry said in a statement.

“Brussels wants to replicate Moldova’s success”: details

Several EU diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that Brussels hopes to replicate a “successful Moldovan experience” in Armenia.

The remark refers to elections. Unlike Armenia, Moldova did not host a similar mission during its 2025 parliamentary elections. However, experts supported state institutions. They helped identify and expose Russian disinformation. As a result, pro-European forces remained in power despite sustained pressure.

“The mission will strengthen Armenia’s resilience to hybrid threats. It will provide strategic advice to relevant security structures and offer operational support,” the EU Foreign Affairs Council said in a statement.

The new mission will work in coordination with the Armenian government. It will also cooperate with “other actors” that share the goal of countering disinformation.

Reports also say the mission will support these efforts in the event of:

  • a constitutional referendum following the parliamentary elections
  • subsequent local government elections

Opinion

Arman Yeghoyan, head of parliament’s European integration committee, said the new EU mission is arriving in Armenia to address medium-term challenges:

“It is not possible to say that hybrid threats will disappear after the elections. There are reasons to believe they will continue afterwards.”

Mr Yeghoyan did not specify which countries these threats may originate from. He said Yerevan would not have sought Brussels’ support if it knew with “surgical precision” where, when, through whom, in what volume, for what purpose these campaigns are organised, and how much money is invested in them.

“The sources of disinformation can vary widely. They can be hidden behind several layers. They may originate in one place, while the ‘tail’ appears elsewhere,” he said.

As an example, he referred to numerous publications by a Turkish journalist based in Luhansk, who spread disinformation about Armenia and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

The ruling party MP said such threats are described as hybrid because they combine different tools — “information as a weapon”.

He said Armenia and the European Union may differ in their assessments and wording of threats and their sources due to differences in “position and resources”:

“We are not in a boxing ring where you say: look, he hit you, so you hit back. We succeed if we act wisely and neutralise the threat, rather than shouting about what threat we are neutralising.”

In his view, EU statements do not create new risks for Armenia.

“This is a golden mean that allows us to neutralise existing dangers. It is a balance that remains within acceptable limits,” Mr Yeghoyan said.

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EU launches new civilian mission to enhance Armenia’s resilience

David Nargizian
European Interest
April 22 2026

ByBeata Stur

EU launches new civilian mission to enhance Armenia’s resilience

Armenians are scheduled to participate in parliamentary elections in June, an event closely monitored by both the European Union and Russia. With public support for joining the EU reaching unprecedented levels, this may suggest a pivotal shift away from Moscow, which has historically been one of Armenia’s closest allies.

The elections, set for 7 June, carry significant implications for Europe, particularly as public sentiment in Armenia, traditionally aligned with Russia, is beginning to lean toward Brussels. Although official campaigning is set to commence 30 days before the elections, candidates have already begun their outreach efforts.

The leading candidate in the current polls is Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who heads the political party Civil Contract. PM Pashinyan came to power in 2018 following the Velvet Revolution, a series of anti-government protests. He is campaigning for reelection on a pro-European platform. However, there are growing concerns about potential foreign interference from the Kremlin as the election date approaches.

On 21 April, the European Council established the EU Partnership Mission in Armenia (EUPM Armenia) under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) to enhance Armenia’s democratic resilience and crisis management. The mission will address threats such as foreign information manipulation, cyber-attacks, and illicit financial flows.

“Armenians are facing massive disinformation campaigns and cyber-attacks. Over the next years, a new EU civilian mission will provide expert advice, capacity building for government departments and a team monitoring areas for urgent action. When Armenians go to the polls in June, they alone should choose their country’s future. The EU helps to protect Armenia’s resilience,” stated Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

EUPM Armenia will provide strategic advice and capacity building to various ministries and promote a whole-of-government approach. It will also feature a project cell for implementing concrete actions in collaboration with like-minded partners.

With an initial mandate of two years, the mission’s Operational Headquarters will be in Armenia. Stefano Tomat, Managing Director of the Civilian Operations Headquarters within the European External Action Service, will serve as the Civilian Operations Commander. A Head of Mission will be appointed soon to oversee ground operations.


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New EU mission targets foreign interference, urgent security gaps in Armenia

Maral Chavushian
Brussels Times
April 22 2026

The EU has set up a new civilian mission in Armenia to provide advice and training to help the country deal with threats including disinformation and cyber-attacks.

The mission, called the EU Partnership Mission in Armenia (EUPM Armenia), was established under the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy, the Council of the EU announced on Tuesday.

It will support Armenian ministries and national institutions by offering strategic and operational advice and capacity building, including help developing policies to address foreign information manipulation and interference, cyber-attacks and illicit financial flows.

A “project cell” will be tasked with identifying and delivering concrete actions within the mission’s mandate, working in close co-ordination with “like-minded partners”, it added.

Armenians are facing “massive disinformation campaigns and cyber-attacks”, and the mission will provide expert advice and a team to monitor areas for urgent action, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said.

Two-year mandate, separate from existing EU mission

EUPM Armenia has an initial mandate of two years and will be headquartered in Armenia, the Council said.

Stefano Tomat, Managing Director of the Civilian Operations Headquarters within the European External Action Service, will serve as the mission’s Civilian Operation Commander.

A head of mission to lead operations on the ground will be appointed shortly.

The mission is being deployed at the request of the Armenian authorities and will be separate from the existing EU Mission in Armenia (EUMA), established in 2023 to observe and report on the situation on the ground and contribute to confidence building and human security in conflict-affected areas.


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NATO envoy urges deeper ties with Armenia amid regional security tensions

Emil Lazarian
The Brussels Times
April 22 2026

NATO’s new Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, Ambassador Kevin Hamilton, made his first visit to Armenia on 20 – 21 April, urging deeper relations.

Hamilton was received by Armenia’s President Vahagn Khachaturyan and met Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, Defence Minister Suren Papikyan and Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan, the NATO press service announced on Wednesday.

Talks covered NATO’s partnership with Armenia, regional security including hybrid threats, connectivity and the Armenia – Azerbaijan peace process. Hybrid threats is a term used for a mix of military and non-military tactics such as cyber attacks and disinformation.

Hamilton also welcomed Armenia’s continued contributions to the NATO-led peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, known as KFOR.

NATO says it is ready to deepen cooperation

Armenia’s work to modernise its armed forces and improve interoperability — the ability of different militaries to operate together — with NATO forces was also discussed, NATO said.

The alliance added it “stands ready” to further political dialogue and security and defence cooperation with Armenia.

Hamilton also met representatives of Armenian civil society and of Allied embassies in Yerevan during the trip.

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Armenpress: Trump declares Iran ceasefire extension

Mary Lazarian
Read the article in: FrançaisՀայերենRussian

U.S. President Donald Trump said he would indefinitely extend the ceasefire with Iran to allow for further talks.

Trump said in a statement on Truth Social the U.S. had agreed to a request by Pakistani ‌mediators “to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal … and discussions are concluded, one way or the other.”

However, Trump also said he would continue the U.S. blockade of Iran’s trade by sea, considered an act of war by Iran.

The Iranian Tasnim News Agency said Iran had not asked for a ceasefire extension and repeated threats to break the U.S. blockade by force.

Read the article in: FrançaisՀայերենRussian

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Vance’s Pakistan trip postponed indefinitely

Emil Lazarian
Read the article in: FrançaisՀայերենRussian

U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s expected trip to Islamabad to lead peace talks with Iran has been called off for the day, CNN reported citing a White House official.

JD Vance was expected to lead a delegation of U.S. negotiators to Islamabad.

“In light of President Trump’s Truth Social post confirming the United States is awaiting a unified proposal from the Iranians, the trip to Pakistan will not be happening today. Any further updates on in-person meetings will be announced by the White House,” the official said in a statement, according to CNN.

President Donald Trump announced in a Truth Social post earlier today that he’d extend an existing ceasefire with Iran as the administration waits for a “unified proposal” from what he described as the “seriously fractured” government.

Iran earlier said it does not want to negotiate under threats.

The negotiations held between the United States and Iran in Islamabad on April 11–12 ended without any deal.

Published by Armenpress, original at 
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BTA. Borislav Sarafov Resigns as Acting Prosecutor General

Maral Chavushian
World18:07, 22 April 2026

Borislav Sarafov has resigned as Bulgaria’s acting Prosecutor General, it emerged from an address to the members of the judiciary that was published on the website of the prosecution service in Bulgarian and in English at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

Sarafov announced that earlier in the day, before the Prosecutors Chambers of the Supreme Judicial Council, he had withdrawn his consent to assume the position of acting Prosecutor General.

Departure Deliberately Delayed

“I made my decision some time ago, after careful consideration of all legal and institutional consequences. I postponed its announcement in order to prevent further destabilization of the prosecution service of the Republic of Bulgaria in the context of a prolonged and severe political crisis, which, I hope, as the majority of Bulgarian citizens have demonstrated, has this time found its successful resolution,” Sarafov said in his address.

“Unfortunately, in the past months, the prosecution service has continued to be subjected to groundless and unlawful pressure. In addition, I have become the subject of a targeted smear and defamatory campaign. Nevertheless, I have put the interests of the institution, to which I have dedicated more than three decades of my professional career, above all else, and have taken on the responsibility to continue performing my functions,” the statement reads.

“I believe that at present there are prerequisites for a new stage in the development of the prosecution service – a stage based on sustainability and predictability. I sincerely hope that in a short time, the implementation of the long-delayed decisions and elections in the judiciary will begin, while observing the principles of transparency, legality and responsibility, and unconditionally guaranteeing the independence of Bulgarian magistrates, who are the biggest supporters of the implementation of judicial reform, in which professional criteria and the fulfillment of public expectations for the establishment of the rule of law and the achievement of justice will be the leading factors,” Sarafov said.

“I am convinced that the prosecution service of the Republic of Bulgaria will continue to fulfill its constitutional functions with the necessary responsibility, consistency and independence,” he pointed out.

Lingering Controversy

Sarafov, until then Deputy Prosecutor General, was designated as acting prosecutor general by the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) Prosecutors Chamber on June 16, 2023, following the removal of his predecessor Ivan Geshev.

His tenure was overshadowed by a lingering controversy over his legitimacy. A number of Bulgarian courts argue that, under Judicial System Act amendments effective January 21, 2025, which limited to six months the period during which a particular individual can serve as acting prosecutor general, his capacity to serve in this office lapsed on July 21, 2025, i.e. six months after the entry into force of these provisions.

In early October 2025, two panels of the Supreme Court of Cassation refused to institute proceedings on motions entered by Sarafov for reopening of criminal cases, arguing that he did not legitimately perform the functions of prosecutor general.

For its part, the SJC Prosecutors Chamber has argued that the six-months time limit did not apply to Sarafov because his designation predated the legal revision at issue, which did not make specific provisions for this situation. This view was shared by some appellate courts.

Caretaker Justice Minister Andrey Yankulov’s two attempts to have the Prosecutors Chamber unseat Sarafov were stonewalled. In a Facebook post, Ivan Demerdzhiev, a former caretaker interior minister who will be in the new Parliament as part of former President Rumen Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria Coalition, gave Sarafov until April 22 to resign, arguing that he “has no legitimacy whatsoever”. Demerdzhiev urged Yankulov to order Judicial Security to bar Sarafov’s access to his office at Sofia’s Palace of Justice, but the Justice Minister opposed the idea, arguing that the Prosecutors Chamber rather than the cabinet is competent to vest the functions of prosecutor general in Sarafov.

(This information is published according to an agreement between Armenpress and BTA).

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Armenia’s ombudsperson responds to Ruben Vardanyan’s message

Boris Nahapetian
Armenia10:28, 22 April 2026
Read the article in: Español Armenian:

Human Rights Defender of Armenia Anahit Manasyan has responded to a message from former State Minister of Nagorno-Karabakh Ruben Vardanyan, who is wrongfully convicted and imprisoned in Azerbaijan.

Vardanyan’s office had circulated his message, in which a number of questions were addressed to Armenia’s Human Rights Defender, Anahit Manasyan.

Below is the response released by Manasyan’s office.

“The message from Mr. Ruben Vardanyan, addressed to the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia, Ms. Anahit Manasyan, has been disseminated through social and mass media platforms.

The message contains a number of observations concerning the mandate and powers of the Human Rights Defender’s institution, which we consider it necessary to address below.

Firstly, we consider it important to emphasize that the institution of the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia operates on the principle of independence; it is not part of the Government, functions independently thereof, and has been accredited by the Sub-Committee on Accreditation of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions of the United Nations with the “A status”, attesting the independence of the institution.

The aforementioned status of the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia implies that the latter neither can nor does conduct negotiations on behalf of the state, nor does it carry out the state’s foreign policy; rather, it operates exclusively within the mandate assigned to the Human Rights Defender under the legislation of the Republic of Armenia and in accordance with international standards.

Accordingly, the powers of the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia extend exclusively to the processes of recording alleged human rights violations committed by state bodies and local self-government authorities of the Republic of Armenia, irrespective of the citizenship of the rights holder. Moreover, the RA Human Rights Defender is authorized to conduct monitoring visits to places of deprivation of liberty and to freely use all available tools during such visits exclusively within the Republic of Armenia.

At the same time, we consider it necessary to emphasize that, within the framework of peace processes, National Human Rights Institutions can play a key role, while strictly adhering to the international standards and ethical principles established for their activities and carrying out this role on the basis of independence, impartiality, neutrality, pluralism, and cooperation.

The Office of the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia, being an institution accredited by the United Nations as an independent body, has been consistently using its tools in post-conflict and peace processes, including with the view of ensuring the rights of Armenians deprived of liberty in Azerbaijan rather than considering the immediate activation of all humanitarian and legal mechanisms to be of critical importance only in the current situation.

In this regard, information subject to publication is available on the official platforms of the Human Rights Defender. At the same time, it should be taken into account that the activities of National Human Rights Institutions are also guided by the principles of confidentiality and “do no harm,” which are upheld by the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia and will continue to be maintained in all processes going forward.

We express our perplexity regarding the following statement contained in the message: “In the course of our conversation /with the Azerbaijani Ombudsperson/, it was also mentioned that the possibility of your visit to Baku had already been discussed, and that the Azerbaijani side had expressed readiness to facilitate such a visit”. We deem it necessary to underscore that the Office of the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia has not received any official proposal concerning cooperation on the matter under discussion, nor has it received any confirmation that the Azerbaijani side has expressed readiness to facilitate such cooperation.

At the same time, it should be taken into consideration that any issue concerning the protection of rights within the territory of a given state falls within the mandate of that state’s Ombudsman / National Human Rights Institution, constitutes a function of that state’s Ombudsperson, and cannot in any way be conditioned upon communication with the Human Rights Institution of another state.

The Office of the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia has consistently been, and continues to be, open to cooperation and communication with counterpart human rights institutions, provided that such engagement is carried out in strict compliance with the aforementioned principles – namely, independence, impartiality, neutrality, and adherence to ethical standards.

We further emphasize that modern human rights protection systems require the existence of an internationally recognized independent monitoring mechanism, operating on the basis of the principle of independence, for the purpose of ensuring the protection of the rights of persons deprived of liberty, which constitutes a fundamental priority in the present context as well.

The Human Rights Defender, Ms. Anahit Manasyan, reiterates her position, expressed repeatedly and publicly, that all Armenians deprived of liberty in Azerbaijan must be released without delay. This holds fundamental significance both for the peace process and from the perspective of guaranteeing the human rights values upheld in the modern civilized world.”

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