Council of the European Union outlines operations of new civilian mission in A

Armenia20:50, 21 April 2026
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The Council of the European Union has provided details on the new EU civilian mission in Armenia.The Council of the European Union has announced that the new EU Partnership Mission in Armenia (EUPM Armenia), established under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), will contribute to enhancing Armenia’s democratic resilience and strengthening its crisis management capacity, the Council said in a statement.

It is noted that the mission will support Armenia in addressing multi-layered threats such as foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), cyber-attacks, and illicit financial flows.

 “EUPM Armenia will provide strategic advice and capacity building to various ministries and national institutions on the development of policies to address threats faced by society and national institutions, and support the development of a horizontal, whole-of-government approach. It will also provide operational advice and feature a project cell responsible for identifying and implementing concrete actions in the areas covered by the mandate of the mission, in close coordination with like-minded partners,’’ it reads.

“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,” Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, was quoted as saying.

“The EU Partnership Mission in Armenia will have an initial mandate of two years, and its Operational Headquarters will be in Armenia. The Managing Director of the Civilian Operations Headquarters  within the European External Action Service – Stefano Tomat – will be the Civilian Operation Commander. He will exercise command and control of EUPM Armenia at the strategic level under the political control and strategic direction of the Council’s Political and Security Committee, and the overall authority of the High Representative. A Head of Mission responsible for leading operations on the ground will be appointed shortly.”

According to the statement, on 2 December 2025, the EU-Armenia Partnership Council endorsed a new Strategic Agenda for the EU-Armenia Partnership. Building on the foundations of the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement, the Strategic Agenda marks a significant step forward in deepening relations across a wide range of areas, including security and defence.EUPM is being deployed at the request of the Armenian authorities.EUPM is the second civilian CSDP mission to Armenia, separate from the EU Mission in Armenia (EUMA), established in 2023 and tasked with observing and reporting on the situation on the ground, contributing to confidence-building and human security in conflict-affected areas.

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Spain opens honorary consulate in Yerevan

Armenia22:00, 21 April 2026
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The Honorary Consulate of the Kingdom of Spain has officially opened in Yerevan.

Ashot Parsyan, who also serves as Guatemala’s honorary consul in Armenia, said the consulate’s mission is to support Spanish citizens, strengthen economic and cultural ties between Armenia and Spain.

He noted that the consulate will act as an active bridge between the two countries, building on more than two decades of work by the Spanish Center in Armenia, which he founded. The center, along with a Spanish cultural space and restaurant, already operating at the same location and regularly hosts cultural events and exhibitions promoting Spanish heritage.

Parsyan emphasized that visa liberalization would boost Armenia’s economy, facilitate travel, and encourage business activity. He added that growing interest from Spanish investors is already evident, citing a recent visit by a large delegation of Spanish business representatives exploring Armenia’s economic potential.

Spain’s Ambassador to Armenia, Ricardo Martinez Vazquez, described the opening as an honor and highlighted the strong relations between the two countries, based on shared values in culture and education.

He also praised Parsyan’s long-standing efforts to deepen Armenian-Spanish ties, particularly through the Spanish Center, where free language education has been offered for years.

The ambassador noted increasing interest among Armenians in visiting Spain and announced a new direct flight between Yerevan and Alicante to be launched this summer, expressing confidence that it will further strengthen bilateral relations.

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2026 European Weightlifting Championships: Gor Sahakyan wins silver

Sports21:10, 21 April 2026
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Armenian weightlifter Gor Sahakyan has won a silver medal at the European Weightlifting Championship held in Batumi.

Competing in the 71 kg category, the two-time European champion lifted 146 kg and 150 kg in the snatch, securing a gold medal in that discipline.

In the clean and jerk, Sahakyan lifted 180 kg, finishing third. With a combined total of 330 kg, he was crowned vice-champion of the tournament.

Earlier, Garnik Cholakyan and Alexandra Grigoryan also won silver medals for Armenia at the championship.

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Armenpress: Armenia’s Malkhas Amoyan wins fifth European championship title

Sports21:59, 21 April 2026
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Olympic bronze medalist and multiple world and European champion Malkhas Amoyan has claimed his fifth European Championship gold medal.

In the 77 kg final at the European Championship in Tirana, Amoyan faced Georgia’s Ramaz Zoidze.

The bout ended 1:1, with victory awarded to Amoyan for scoring the first point.

Malkhas Amoyan  has become a five-time European champion.

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Verelq: Another theater of the couple

Լուսանկարը՝ hraparak.am

“Hraparak” daily writes:


The most discussed episode of Sunday’s motorcade and concert Anna Hakobyan was the revelation. He announced in February that their civil marriage was over, he was leaving the government mansion, and told a heartbreaking story about his bitter life.


And on Sunday, people saw her silhouette in her husband’s morning dress, in the government office, and then she participated in the event in Gyumri. Holding Pashinyan’s hand, he walked in the city, ignoring journalists’ questions. And, contrary to the promise that he would give up “Akhranniks”, he was walking around accompanied by PPS employees. They left the question “reunited” unanswered.


We were informed that even Pashinyan’s teammates did not dare to clarify this. We were told that they found out 1 week ago that Anna had returned to the government mansion. And in what capacity, they don’t know. They are also puzzled by this theater of the couple.


After the show split, various hypotheses were discussed. The most common is that Pashinyan is trying to get rid of Anna Hakobyan’s negative rating. Now they think that the reason is that the “My step” foundation headed by the lady continues to engage in charitable activities unhindered during the pre-election period.


Gohar Ghumashyan, a breadwinner, was arrested for a telephone conversation, while Anna Hakobyan generously gave charity and was not punished.

The ring around Armenian statehood is tightening. silence is intolerable

April 24 remains a day of remembrance for the victims of the 1915 Armenian Genocide for every citizen of Armenia, every Armenian.


Along with this, along with the historical tragedy, we are facing a new ontological danger.


● Occupation of sovereign territory and military aggression


As of February 2026, Azerbaijan’s armed forces illegally control more than 240 square kilometers of Armenian territory in Jermuk, Vardenis, Sisian, and Goris regions. Heavy military equipment is located right next to civilian settlements and civilian infrastructure, creating a direct threat to the lives of thousands of people.


● Ethnic cleansing of Armenians in Artsakh


In 2023, more than 100 thousand Armenians were forcibly expelled from Artsakh. International organizations have documented the blockade, bombings and organized ethnic cleansing.


● Denial of Armenians’ right to exist at the state level


The “Western Azerbaijan” project promoted by the Azerbaijani government is, in fact, a claim to the entire territory of Armenia. This demand is accompanied by rhetoric of hatred towards Armenians, dehumanization and open calls for the abolition of Armenian statehood.


● Destruction of Armenian cultural heritage


Armenian churches, khachkars, cemeteries and historical and cultural monuments are systematically destroyed in the occupied territories. This is a classic manifestation of cultural genocide with the aim of erasing the historical traces of Armenians.


● Hate propaganda at the state level


Enmity towards Armenians is systematically instilled in Azerbaijan’s school programs, state media and official statements. This creates the ground for new crimes.


The international community is silent, but we are obliged to speak out about these problems.


Today, some parts of the territory of the Republic of Armenia are already bleeding: Jermuk, Verin Shorzha, Nerkin Hand, Tigranashen, Verin Voskepar, Sofulu and Barkhudarlu.


The circle around Armenian statehood is tightening, we must prevent this danger today, keeping Armenia and the Armenian people away from new disasters.


Political scientist Suren Surenyants




The situation on the highways of Armenia

The rescue service informs that the roads in the territory of RA are mostly passable.


The highways leading from “Amberd” high mountain meteorological station to Amberd Castle and Kari Lake in Aragatsotn Marz are closed.


Drivers are urged to drive exclusively with winter tires.


According to the information received from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia and the Crisis Management Center of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs of North Ossetia, the Stepantsminda-Lars highway is open for all types of vehicles.

A difficult choice between the interests of the government and society

Former Chairman of the Investigative Commission A. Kocharyan, responding to Onik Gasparyan’s initiative to hold a meeting in a closed format in the National Assembly, noted that they do not see the point of meeting the proposal. “Onik Gasparyan answered questions in the investigative commission for two days, and this is included in the report. He gave all the explanations and also presented his considerations. What does he want now?”, said the CP member.


Expected response. Okay, what is stopping Onik Gasparyan from meeting with various interested groups in an open format, to speak publicly?


CP is “slamming the door”, as expected, and those who are interested in the topic have been waiting for clarifications for years.


If Gasparyan’s goal was the discussion with the participation of CP, it is very bad. If he has something to say to society, interested parties, he has no right to delay.


Have you declared, have you expressed your readiness, have you decided to speak after 6 years of the war? Speak, but with a condition, outside of emotions, propaganda and your own “I”.


Tigran Abrahamyan, secretary of “I have an honor” faction