Author: Emil Lazarian

President Donald Trump said the U.S. is pausing its operation to guide stranded vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the pause to “Project Freedom,” which began two days ago, came because of “great progress” toward a deal with Iran.

Under “Project Freedom,” the U.S. said it would guide ships through the Strait of Hormuz and help restore the flow of oil from the region.

“Based on the request of Pakistan and other Countries, the tremendous Military Success that we have had during the Campaign against the Country of Iran and, additionally, the fact that Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement with Representatives of Iran, we have mutually agreed that, while the Blockade will remain in full force and effect, Project Freedom (The Movement of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz) will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed,” the U.S. President said on Truth Social.

Iranian state media claimed Trump has “retreated” after “continued failures” to reopen the vital waterway.

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and his Serbian counterpart, Marko Đurić, held a meeting on the margins of the Yerevan Dialogue 2026 forum in Yerevan.

According to the Foreign Ministry’s readout, the parties discussed opportunities to develop bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Satisfaction was expressed with the increased diplomatic presence in the capitals of both countries, and an agreement was reached to continue promoting mutually beneficial political dialogue through future visits. The ministers also exchanged views on regional and international developments.

Another shipment of fertilizer and grain will be sent from Russia to Armenia via Azerbaijan by rail on May 6, the Azerbaijani media outlet Report said, citing the country’s railway operator.

To date, more than 25,000 tons of grain, around 2,000 tons of fertilizer, and 68 tons of buckwheat have been transported from Russia to Armenia via Azerbaijani territory.

The cargo passes through Georgian territory, as the rail connection between Armenia and Azerbaijan has not yet been restored.

The export of petroleum products from Azerbaijan to Armenia is also continuing. So far, more than 8,500 tons of diesel fuel, 979 tons of AI-92 gasoline, and 2,955 tons of AI-95 gasoline have been supplied to Armenia.

Armenian Minister of Defense Suren Papikyan has attended the opening ceremony of the Defence24 Days defense and security conference in Warsaw during his official visit to Poland, the Defense Ministry said.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa ahead of the first-ever Armenia–EU Summit on Tuesday in Yerevan.

Pashinyan welcomed the EU leaders and hailed the “historic moment” marking the inaugural summit. The Prime Minister added that holding the first Armenia–European Union summit implies that a second summit is expected, and that it now only remains to reach an agreement on its organization.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, speaking at the inaugural Armenia-EU Summit in Yerevan, said that Armenia could become a hub for new trade routes in the region.

Aside from von der Leyen, the EU side was represented at the meeting by European Council President António Costa and top diplomat Kaja Kallas, among others.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan chaired the meeting on the Armenian side, which also included Cabinet ministers.

The President of the European Commission emphasized that the shortest route from Europe to Central Asia and the Caspian Sea passes through Armenia, but noted that this route had been closed due to war.

“Now you are changing this, thanks to a courageous choice in favor of peace and greater integration into European networks. As a result, Armenia can become a regional hub for new trade routes,” von der Leyen stated.

She also added that the European Union is ready to deepen cooperation with Armenia in the energy sector as well as in digitalization.

Von der Leyen noted that there has always been a special bond between Armenia and Europe. “But we are united not only by our shared history and culture, not only by our ancient ties, but also by the opportunities that lie ahead of us,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

She stressed that Armenia and the European Union are now closer than ever, highlighting that positive progress is being made in the EU visa liberalization process for Armenian citizens.

Von der Leyen recalled that, under the EU’s “Global Gateway” strategy, €2.5 billion in investments for Armenia has already been planned.

“From Ukraine to Iran, the entire region is being shaken by wars, while here in the South Caucasus there is a different story, a different situation. In an era of new conflicts, you are healing old wounds, and we want to support you by showing that peace leads to prosperity,” said Ursula von der Leyen. She pointed to the example of the European Union’s formation, noting that countries that were once enemies were able to build friendship and bring peace to the region through the establishment of trade relations.

Ameriabank press release 

Lion Finance Group (LFG) marked its inclusion in the FTSE 100 Index by ringing the closing bell at the London Stock Exchange.

Ameriabank as part of LFG, has been included in the FTSE 100 index of one of the world’s leading stock exchanges in March, making it the first company from Armenia to join the top 100 companies listed on the London Stock Exchange.

The Bell Ringing Ceremony is a symbolic and long-standing tradition at the London Stock Exchange, attended by representatives of financial institutions, investors, and key stakeholders.

Leadership of Lion Finance Group, Ameriabank, Bank of Georgia, and government representatives both from Georgia and Armenia, including Minister of Finance Vahe Hovhannisyan and Governor of the Central Bank of Armenia Martin Galstyan, and other guests attended the ceremony.

The LFG’s entry into the FTSE 100 reflects strong international investor trust in its long-term strategy and consistent growth trajectory.

This milestone marks a new phase of growth for the Group and its subsidiaries, built on a long-term strategic vision and a commitment to delivering value to their customers.

Having been listed on the London Stock Exchange since 2006, the Group’s inclusion in the FTSE 100 index has taken place within two years after Ameriabank joined LFG. This testifies to the strategic importance of Ameriabank’s inclusion in the Group and to its significant contribution to the Group’s overall development. During the visit, representatives of Ameriabank and Bank of Georgia were also hosted at the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in the United Kingdom, where they met with His Excellency Varuzhan Nersesyan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.

About Lion Finance Group

Lion Finance Group is a London Stock Exchange-listed banking group that brings together leading, customer-focused and digitally enabled universal banks across the region and operates through its principal subsidiaries, Bank of Georgia in Georgia and Ameriabank in Armenia.

About Ameriabank

Ameriabank is a leading financial and technology company in Armenia, a major contributor to the Armenian economy. In pursuit of digital transformation, the Bank has implemented unique products, services and innovative platforms designed to meet the diverse financial and non-financial needs people have today and keeps on improving them.

Being a dynamically developing fintech environment, Ameriabank offers comprehensive solutions to improve the quality of life.

The Bank is supervised by the Central Bank of Armenia.