Author: Eduard Nalbandian

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told business leaders on Monday that Armenia is entering a new phase of economic development, crediting the newly established peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

“We expect major developments in the near future, primarily related to the launch of the TRIPP project, which is significant in that it will ultimately allow the Republic of Armenia to fully emerge from its state of blockade. In fact, Armenia has already overcome the blockade to some extent, as you know that rail freight transportation to Armenia through Azerbaijani territory is possible and is being carried out. I would also like to note that exports can be conducted by rail as well, of course via Georgia, until we open the railway with Azerbaijan, primarily within the framework of the TRIPP project. This is very important, and the political agreement is that this railway will never be closed. In other words, it will be a reliable route for both imports and exports,” the Prime Minister said at a meeting with executives of top taxpayer companies.

The Prime Minister noted that since 2018, when he took office, according to real estimates, Armenia’s gross domestic product has grown by 53%, and that the country’s economy has reached a point where business-to-business, state-to-business, state-to-employee, and employee-to-employer relations must now develop in a new way. In this regard, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of the meeting for discussing such issues and hearing the views of business representatives.

“Once again, I want to thank all of you for the changes that have taken place in our country, because there are sectors and companies whose role in the Republic of Armenia is difficult to overestimate. It is very important that these companies also bring a new mentality, new thinking, and a new culture to Armenia, which is actually the most important capital, opening new areas and opportunities for entering new fields of activity. I believe that today the Republic of Armenia has horizons before it that it has never had in its entire history. Armenia has never experienced such an unprecedented period of opportunities. We need to be able to continuously and consistently make use of this situation. It is clear that the government cannot do this without key players in the economy and the real sector. And beyond simply expressing gratitude today, I also want to draw your attention to this situation—this is essentially my main message,” said Nikol Pashinyan.

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.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said during a meeting with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze that the South Caucasus region has now “transformed into an area of peace, calm, security, and cooperation.”

The President of Azerbaijan emphasized that there is now a completely new situation in the South Caucasus and that the countries of the region should not miss this opportunity.

“Today, unfortunately, peace, security, stability, and calm are being disrupted in different parts of the world, leading to bloody clashes, wars, suffering, and losses.

“At one time, a similar situation existed in the South Caucasus. But today, the South Caucasus is becoming a region of peace, calm, security, and cooperation,” Aliyev said.

Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan has published the draft pre-election program of the Civil Contract party for the 2026 regular elections to the National Assembly.

The draft, published on Pashinyan’s Facebook page, states that the ideological basis of the Civil Contract party’s pre-election program is the ideology of “Real Armenia” and the doctrine of Armenia’s economic and institutional transformation.

The preface notes that opening an era of peaceful development for Armenia and the region is the greatest mission undertaken by the Government before the people after the results of the 2021 snap elections.

In his preface, as Prime Minister, Chairman of the Civil Contract party Board and prime ministerial candidate, Pashinyan, addressing citizens, stated that with their support the party has fulfilled its greatest mission, and peace has been established between Armenia and Azerbaijan, opening an era of peaceful development for Armenia.

“In the elections to be held on June 7, together with you, we have a problem to solve: we must stand up for peace, which is new, still vulnerable and in need of our daily care,” Pashinyan said, calling on citizens to go to polling stations and support the Civil Contract party.

Armenian Ambassador to Argentina Hovhannes Virabyan met with Argentina’s Minister of Defense, Carlos Presti.

“During the meeting, the parties discussed prospects for the development of sectoral bilateral cooperation, emphasizing their mutual interest in strengthening dialogue and expanding areas of cooperation,” the Armenian Embassy in Argentina said in a press release.

Ambassador Virabyan and Minister Presti also exchanged views on issues of mutual interest, highlighting the importance of promoting joint initiatives that contribute to the strengthening of bilateral relations.

 The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 1 April, USD exchange rate up by 0.07 drams to 377.23 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 5.36 drams to 437.55 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.0363 drams to 4.6646 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 3.87 drams to 501.72 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 971 drams to 55891 drams.