The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) plans to invest around €5 billion in 2026 in economies affected by the conflict in the Middle East, including Armenia.

According to the bank, Armenia is among the countries not directly involved in the conflict but still exposed to its economic fallout as part of the wider regional chain.

The EBRD said the impact is being felt through disrupted trade routes, energy and commodity shocks, weaker investor confidence, and rising socio-economic pressure.

The bank said its conflict response programme will include support for financial institutions, measures to strengthen private-sector resilience, and investment in infrastructure — areas from which Armenia could also benefit.

EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso said the bank is prepared to deepen its engagement in countries facing this kind of pressure.

“In a context of growing uncertainty, we are increasing our engagement while maintaining sound banking principles. We are here to support the economies, clients and people of our partner countries in difficult times,” she said.

Under the programme, the EBRD also plans to strengthen energy security, support businesses facing market volatility, and invest in infrastructure and digital solutions.

The bank said its support will also focus on preserving jobs, expanding access to finance, and protecting vulnerable groups.

It added that the scale of investment will remain demand-driven, given the fast-changing nature of the situation.

The EBRD said it will implement the programme in cooperation with international partners to help support economic resilience and sustainable development.

Armenian Ambassador to France Arman Khachatryan met with Éléonore Caroit, the Minister Delegate to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, responsible for Francophonie, International Partnerships, and French Nationals Abroad.

The Armenian Ambassador also serves as the Armenian Prime Minister’s Personal Representative on the Permanent Council of La Francophonie (OIF).

The Ambassador and the French official discussed the Armenia–France agenda, as well as the active cooperation established between Armenia and France within international organizations, particularly in the framework of La Francophonie, the embassy reported. 

The Ambassador presented the progress of preparations for the 10th La Francophonie Games (Jeux de la Francophonie), to be held in Armenia in 2027, reaffirming Armenia’s commitment to hosting the event at a high level. Both sides emphasized the importance of the Jeux de la Francophonie as a significant event contributing to the promotion of Francophone culture and values, as well as the development of the French language.

Views were exchanged on the preparatory work and possible cooperation ahead of the 17th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17), to be held in Armenia this year. Ambassador Khachatryan presented Armenia’s vision for organizing the conference, aimed at ensuring the full and meaningful participation of all stakeholders in discussions related to biodiversity.

Ambassador Khachatryan also presented the peace established between Armenia and Azerbaijan, highlighting the importance of its further consolidation.

Armenia will acquire a road scanning device that will use AI to determine what types of repairs are needed on the roads.

Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Davit Khudatyan announced the plans during the Cabinet meeting on Thursday.

“We have already discussed the acquisition of a road scanning device. The cost of this equipment is approximately 500–600 million drams [$1.3 – $1.6 million USD]. It will allow us to fully scan the roads and, combined with artificial intelligence, determine what type of repairs are required. The device will pass over the road and advise us whether medium repairs or full reconstruction are needed, how deep the work should be, and so on,” Khudatyan explained.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Thursday that he agreed with Russian President Vladimir Putin during their April 1 meeting in Moscow to hold another meeting in the “second half of June.”

“As I have said, I consider that visit very successful. Regarding the face-to-face meeting, we have already agreed on our upcoming meetings and events. We have agreed on a high-level meeting for the second half of June,” the Prime Minister said.

He added that the Armenia-Russia relationship is now in a phase of “constructive transformation.”

“I evaluate this process positively, and we will continue to uphold our principles consistently. We will not deviate from the logic of friendly dialogue and will continue along this path,” the Prime Minister said.

Pashinyan also addressed observations regarding aligning the policies of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the European Union:

“As long as there is an opportunity to align the policies we pursue toward the EAEU and the EU, we will align those policies. When the moment of incompatibility comes, we will make decisions together with the people,” he said.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Thursday reiterated why he and his Civil Contract party insist that, if certain opposition forces come to power, it could imminently lead to a new war.

Asked to explain his warnings at a press briefing, Pashinyan appeared to be referring to former President Robert Kocharyan’s recent remarks.

Kocharyan’s alliance intends to run in the upcoming general elections.

“If a political force says that Armenia should not be satisfied with 29,743 square kilometers, that inevitably leads to war; there’s not much room for debate on that,” the Prime Minister said.

Earlier, Armenia’s second President and leader of the opposition Hayastan (Armenia) bloc, Robert Kocharyan, stated that Armenia is a country with a large diaspora and should not be limited to its 29,743 square kilometers of territory.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan again highlighted that Strong Armenia Party leader and business tycoon Samvel Karapetyan, under current constitutional requirements, cannot run either for parliament or for the premiership.

Constitutional requirements for a prime minister in Armenia include having resided in the country for at least the previous four years and holding exclusively Armenian citizenship during that period. Karapetyan is reported to hold dual citizenship and has been based mostly abroad.

Strong Armenia nonetheless named Karapetyan as their candidate for prime minister in the upcoming elections and said that, in the event of gaining a majority, they would initiate legislative changes to change the requirement and elect him.

Speaking at a press briefing, Pashinyan commented on the recently released Strong Armenia party list for the elections, where the business tycoon’s nephew Narek Karapetyan is listed as number one, while the party continues to claim that Samvel Karapetyan is their candidate for prime minister.

“The whole world knows that the person you mentioned cannot be a candidate for parliament or prime minister. If there is still anyone in Armenia for whom this is not yet clear, what can I say—I can only state the obvious,” Pashinyan said.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Thursday that there are no grounds for an increase in the price of Russian gas for Armenia and dismissed hypotheticals about what the government would do if that were the case.

“[As the idiom goes], if my aunt were a man, she’d be my uncle,” Pashinyan said, dismissing the “what if” questions. “But if that’s not the case, what are those who ask that question supposed to do?”

The Prime Minister clarified that Armenia has long-term agreements with Russia, emphasizing that there is no basis for an increase in gas prices. According to him, two parties cannot interact under the assumption that one side will violate all agreements.

Nikol Pashinyan also addressed concerns raised by Armenian exporters of flowers and brandy to Russia, who have reportedly encountered difficulties in the Russian market.

“Armenia has long been prepared for all scenarios, but each case must be examined carefully and based on the facts. Since 2018, I have repeatedly spoken, both publicly and privately, about the need to standardize production in the country. We have allocated millions of dollars to support the economy so that producers can standardize their products. The issues that exist, related to the modernization of the economy, we will continue to support producers on those matters, but we do not agree that technical problems should be presented differently under the guise of political influence,” Pashinyan said.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Thursday that Kazakhstan, like many other countries, is interested in the TRIPP connectivity project.

“A new route for international communication is opening, and Kazakhstan is one of the major players in the international transport sector, particularly in terms of the flow of goods to and from China,” Pashinyan said at a press briefing on April 9, when asked about the Kazakh Foreign Minister’s visit to Armenia.

“Our Kazakh partners, with whom we also discussed this issue during my visit, are trying to gain a more concrete understanding of the transport opportunities that are opening up and how this will affect them. Kazakhstan is not the only country interested in this topic; many countries are. The process is public, and we do not intend to hide it from our partners. Naturally, we should invite Kazakhstan to be prepared to consider using transit routes through Armenia as part of their export, import, and transport service chains,” Pashinyan said.

The Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) is a connectivity project in Armenia, envisaged under the U.S.-brokered Armenian-Azerbaijani joint declaration signed in Washington, D.C. The project is expected to unlock strategic economic opportunities, create long-term benefits by promoting infrastructure investment, and enhance regional connectivity. An Armenian-American joint enterprise is expected to develop the route.

On April 8–9, Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister, Yermek Kosherbayev, will pay an official visit to Armenia. The delegation also includes Kazakhstan’s Minister of Transportation, Nurlan Sauranbayev. 

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Armenia is not going to discuss “behind Russia’s back” the issue of potentially transferring railway management rights to another country.

Pashinyan was asked at a press briefing whether Armenia plans to discuss the matter with the Kazakh Foreign Minister and Transport Minister, who are currently visiting Armenia, despite Russia previously stating that it sees no grounds for selling its management rights.

“We do not intend to do anything behind Russia’s back. At this stage, as long as the opportunities for dialogue remain broad and open, we will continue our work,” Pashinyan added.

Pashinyan had previously called for an end to Russian management of Armenia’s railway network, which operates under a concession agreement. He specifically stated that, in the context of current regional connectivity development projects, it would be preferable for another country—particularly one with friendly ties to both Armenia and Russia—to take over management. He argued that some countries might choose not to make shipments through Armenia due to Russian management of the railway system, thereby reducing Armenia’s competitiveness.

Pashinyan also said that the matter was discussed during his April 1 visit to Russia.

In March, reports emerged about ongoing talks regarding a potential Kazakh takeover of the management rights. At the time, Prime Minister Pashinyan did not rule out the possibility of a Kazakh company taking over the concession agreement of the Armenian railways from Russia, but noted that the talks were still ongoing.

However, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk said there are no “objective reasons” to sell the management rights.