Author: Hambik Zargarian

It is time to form and strengthen the idea of ​​”collective opposition”.

Hambik Zargarian Leave a comment

Ahead of the parliamentary elections to be held on June 7, the opposition field has mostly been formed. Their lists are published, their programs are presented. The general agenda is evident in the programs: peace, economic development, overcoming poverty, restoring justice, national revival and unity.

Now that the foundation is laid, it is time to form and strengthen the idea of ​​”collective opposition” in the public consciousness. This is no longer about individual efforts, but about a common goal. I believe that this collective opposition will win the elections.

However, just winning is not enough. A higher bar should be set. I mentioned this idea in my previous post and will continue to repeat it. The goal should not be simply to prevent Pashinyan from returning to power, but also to ensure that his party does not even cross the threshold of entering the parliament.

Only then will we be able to finally close the page of the past eight years, leaving that period and memories in the pages of history.


Former RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan




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Peace depends on people, not on me or my team – Pashinyan

Hambik Zargarian
Armenia13:14, 11 April 2026
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Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stressed that peace depends not on him or his team, but on the people, who must express their will in the upcoming elections.

Speaking at a meeting with residents in the city of Tashir, Lori region, Pashinyan addressed a citizen’s question about peace, noting that in the elections, the Civil Contract Party is running with the slogan “Stand up for peace.”

“Peace depends not on me or our team, but on the people, and the people must show their will for peace in these elections,” he said, adding that this will should be expressed by supporting political forces with a peace-oriented program and slogan.

Pashinyan expressed his conviction that if a political force comes to power that is not satisfied with Armenia’s 29,743 square kilometers and appears in videos and posters with maps beyond the country’s internationally recognized borders, it will lead to conflict and war.

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Published by Armenpress, original at 
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Explore Armenian arts and culture at Arts Society talk

Hambik Zargarian
Isle of Man Today
April 11 2026

‘The lecture reflects the organisation’s ongoing commitment to broadening cultural horizons in the island’

The arts and culture of Armenia will be the subject of The Arts Society Isle of Man’s latest talk on Tuesday, April 21.

The lecture at the Manx Museum will be undertaken by Andrew Spira.

Mr Spira studied at the Courtauld Institute and King’s College, London. For several years he worked at the Temple Gallery, London (specialists in Byzantine, Russian and Greek icons) and as a curator at the Victoria and Albert Museum where he worked on the British Galleries and for the Silver, Metalwork and Jewellery Department. Subsequently he was programme director at Christie’s Education for 14 years.

A spokesperson for the society said: ‘This promises to be an engaging and visually evocative exploration of a nation whose creative heritage spans millennia yet remains comparatively little known in the British Isles.

‘Armenia, perched at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, boasts a cultural identity shaped by ancient traditions, resilient history, and a deep spiritual legacy.

‘The talk will guide attendees through the country’s artistic evolution – from its early Christian iconography and intricate manuscript illumination to its distinctive architecture and vibrant contemporary arts scene.

‘Audiences can expect to encounter the striking geometry of Armenian churches, the delicate craftsmanship of khachkars (carved stone crosses), and the enduring symbolism woven into textiles, music, and storytelling.

‘These artistic forms reflect wider historical currents that have influenced Armenia over centuries, including trade, migration, and periods of upheaval.

‘The lecture reflects the organisation’s ongoing commitment to broadening cultural horizons in the island.

‘In shining a light on Armenia, this talk opens a window onto a world of artistic richness that feels both distant and surprisingly resonant.

‘For those seeking inspiration, discovery, or simply a stimulating lecture this event promises to be a highlight of the spring cultural calendar.’

The lecture takes place from 11.30am until 12.30pm and is free to members and students. Tickets cost £10 for guests.

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Armenian FM highlights global interest in TRIPP project

Hambik Zargarian
Politics14:59, 10 April 2026
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Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan reiterated on Friday that “multiple” countries are interested in the TRIPP project, the joint Armenia–United States connectivity initiative.

Asked to elaborate on a recent U.S. State Department comment to Armenpress stating that Armenia is working with the United States and mutually determined third parties to implement TRIPP, Mirzoyan did not name any specific countries but highlighted that work on the project is ongoing.

Speaking at a joint press conference with his Estonian counterpart, Margus Tsahkna, Mirzoyan noted that despite less favorable developments globally and regionally, bilateral work between Armenia and the United States on TRIPP implementation continues.

“I have had the opportunity to say that we are still in the paperwork phase of the work. We are currently finalizing the intergovernmental agreement. We continuously exchange views and positions on individual issues with representatives of the U.S. administration. We hope that as soon as possible we will move on to the next, construction phase, and this is where we will also need third-party partners,” Mirzoyan said when asked by Armenpress which other countries Armenia and the U.S. are working with.

He clarified that the intergovernmental agreement on the TRIPP project will be bilateral—between Armenia and the United States—but other partners will be needed during the construction phase. According to him, partners may also be required during the systems management phase.

The Armenian Foreign Minister emphasized that although TRIPP is a bilateral project, it serves the interests of many countries, from China to Portugal.

“Not to mention our neighbors. TRIPP is not on another planet. One end will connect to Azerbaijan, the other will end in Nakhchivan—again via Azerbaijan—but the logical continuation is the Yeraskh railway in Armenia, the Kars–Gyumri railway junction, and Türkiye’s railway network. Central Asian countries are particularly interested. Just a day ago, we also met here with Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister, who was accompanied by Kazakhstan’s Minister of Transport.

Countries in the Middle East are also interested in these topics. For now, there is nothing specific that I can share publicly,” concluded Ararat Mirzoyan.

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. TRIPP is part of the Crossroads of Peace project, and an Armenian-American joint enterprise is expected to develop the route.

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Published by Armenpress, original at 
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Vance leaves for Pakistan for talks with Iran

Hambik Zargarian
Read the article in: FrançaisՀայերենRussian

U.S. Vice President JD Vance said ‌on Friday he was looking forward to having positive negotiations with Iran as he left for talks in Pakistan ⁠

“We’re looking forward to the negotiation. I think it’s going to be positive,” Vance told reporters before leaving Washington, Reuters reported.

“As the president ‌of ⁠the United States said, if the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith, we’re ⁠certainly willing to extend the open hand,” Vance said.

“If they’re going ⁠to try to play us, then they’re going to ⁠find the negotiating team is not that receptive.”

Read the article in: FrançaisՀայերենRussian

Published by Armenpress, original at 
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The control over the quality of bitumen entering Armenia has been sharply tightened. he

Hambik Zargarian
Photo: sputnik

The Armenian government announces zero compromise in the quality of infrastructure construction. Due to poor quality work, the state not only refuses to pay the contractors, but also forces to rebuild the facilities built with defects from scratch with its own funds.


Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures at the government session on April 9 Davit Khudatyan announced that the construction company will suffer a loss of about 500 million drams due to the violations recorded as a result of the joint inspections of the Urban Development Committee and independent laboratories. According to the minister, the road should be of high quality during the entire period of its operation, and not disintegrate a month after its commissioning.


Accordingly, he pointed out as an example a newly built road, whose 20 km section will be completely demolished, because it does not meet the established quality standards. 


Control over imported building materials has also been tightened. In particular, as a result of laboratory checks of bitumen quality, eight out of ten trucks that crossed the border of Armenia recently were returned.


According to the minister, this strict control also has its objective consequences. savings from tender processes have been reduced. If previously about 40% of participants offered a price lower than the estimated value, now that figure has decreased to 20%. In addition, former market leaders, who in previous years carried out up to 50% of road construction works, today are satisfied with only 10-12%. Khudatyan directly conditions this fact with the state’s principled position of not accepting low-quality work.


“We don’t pay for low-quality work. Last year, we demolished and rebuilt about 30 km of roads at the expense of the builders. In 2025, that number will be higher. In the near future, I ordered to demolish a road, which is good even according to the impression of the citizens, but we are dissatisfied with the quality, and we will demolish the entire 20-kilometer road again,” Khudatyan announced.


The executive is also transitioning to a new model of road maintenance, excluding companies with small capacities and insufficient equipment from participating in tenders through enlargements. Unified quality standards are implemented in both state and Yerevan municipal budget funded programs.


Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, in his turn, reaffirmed the policy of excluding compromises in the matter of quality. As a precedent, he mentioned the construction of the sports complex named after Artur Aleksanyan in Gyumri, where complete sections were also demolished due to insufficient quality.

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High demand for new housing in Armenia: what’s driving it and what to expect

Hambik Zargarian
JAM News
April 9 2026
  • Gayane Asryan
  • Yerevan

Construction of new housing is in full swing in Armenia, mainly in Yerevan and nearby settlements. Real estate agents explain this trend by strong demand from both local residents and foreign buyers. They also stress that many people have recently started to prefer newly built apartments. On the secondary market, residents often face problems such as outdated lifts or worn-out sewage systems.

However, property agents say new developments would not attract such high demand without a law that allows buyers to reclaim income tax on mortgage loans. The scheme applies only to the purchase of newly built housing. The state refunds income tax from a buyer’s salary. Buyers can then use this money to cover mortgage interest payments.

The law came into force in 2014. Authorities stopped applying it in Yerevan in 2025. However, developers who received construction permits before 2022 can still sell apartments under the income tax refund scheme.

Buyers can use this option only once. People with stable incomes and higher salaries tend to choose this way of purchasing housing.

Of course, the income tax refund places a significant financial burden on the state. However, the adoption of this law has driven an unprecedented construction boom in Yerevan and surrounding areas over the past five years. Construction has become the main driver of economic growth.

An analysis of listings on new housing websites shows that more than half of ready-to-move-in apartments have already sold. The figures vary by location, but they generally range between 40% and 70%.

People with more modest incomes tend to buy housing on the secondary market. Prices in this segment are significantly lower.

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Statistical data

According to the Cadastre Committee, more than 74,458 real estate transactions were registered in Yerevan in 2025. These included apartment buildings, private houses, land plots and commercial properties. This marks an 8% increase compared to 2024, when 68,914 transactions were recorded.

Around 21,000 transactions involved purchases of apartments in multi-unit residential buildings. Of these, 15,000, or 72%, took place in Yerevan.

After the capital, the highest number of new-build housing sales was recorded in the city of Abovyan, with 3,131 transactions.

More than half of all housing sale and purchase transactions in Yerevan involved apartments in new buildings. 89% of buyers purchased their apartments directly from developers.

What attracts buyers to new-build housing

Ashkhen Avalyan bought a new 50-square-metre apartment in Yerevan, taking advantage of the income tax refund scheme.

One square metre in the building cost 520,000 drams (about $1,390). She paid a 10% down payment.

“I carefully studied offers on the secondary market and chose this option. First, I would have had to pay a 30% down payment on the secondary market. In addition, homes priced under $80,000 required renovation and furnishing. This significantly increased the overall cost,” Ashkhen explains.

Buyers in new developments usually have to wait a long time before moving in. Most purchase apartments at an early stage of construction, while some buy slightly later. Construction often takes longer than planned, and people may only move in after one to three years. Many use this time to save money for renovation and furnishing.

“In the case of the income tax refund, payments remain relatively low in the first years. Later, interest decreases, but the principal payment increases. To be honest, when I bought a new-build apartment, I also expected to sell it later at a good price. The secondary market raises doubts in this respect. The old housing stock is problematic — lifts are outdated, and sewage systems are worn out. It will be difficult to sell such an apartment at a reasonable price,” Ashkhen says.

Both new and old housing remain in demand

Andranik Grigoryan is a real estate agent. He now offers clients new developments outside Yerevan as well. However, he says the Yerevan market still dominates:

“People are willing to pay 30–40% more to buy an apartment in the capital. Regional offers appeal more to local residents. Some new developments in Yerevan still qualify for the income tax refund. However, to be honest, they are not for those with low or middle incomes. A square metre in such apartments usually costs more than $3,000.”

According to Andranik, most buyers in this segment do not use the income tax refund:

“They often buy property in cash, without a mortgage. Our compatriots living abroad mainly purchase housing in this segment. They see it as an investment or a way to ensure financial stability. Conversations with them show that many plan to spend their old age here or live here for a few months each year.”

The agent believes Armenia offers the safest environment for the Armenian diaspora:

“Moreover, some compatriots living abroad are ready to move here to avoid problems they face in other countries. People often ask me who will buy so many apartments in new developments if domestic purchasing power remains low. The answer is diaspora Armenians. Some buy several apartments at once. Prices will not change sharply in the coming years, because the inflow of people from abroad continues. In addition, some buyers will purchase apartments to rent them out and secure stable income.”

Speaking about high prices in new developments, he points out that the secondary market still offers affordable options for buyers with limited means. This allows the secondary market to maintain stable sales, even without state support such as the income tax refund.

“Buyers in the primary and secondary markets are different. Those with savings prefer the secondary market, because they either want to move in immediately or rent the property out. In the case of new developments, moving in takes from one to three years,” Andranik Grigoryan explains.

In any case, Armenia is recording a construction boom. Last year, developers put 2,270,000 square metres of housing into operation. For comparison, the figure stood at 1,251,000 square metres in 2024

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Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 08-04-

Hambik Zargarian
Economy17:18, 8 April 2026
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The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 8 April, USD exchange rate down by 0.15 drams to 376.32 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 4.94 drams to 439.84 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.0344 drams to 4.7914 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 7.26 drams to 505.74 drams.

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

Gold price down by 357 drams to 55797 drams.

Read the article in: ArmenianRussian:

Published by Armenpress, original at 
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Armenian Students Bond Over Homemade Food

Hambik Zargarian
April 7 2026
by Nick Charkhedian

At a dorm room tucked into the northwest corner of Pepperdine’s George Page Apartments, students step into a slice of home.

Senior Kristina Urfalyan grew up cooking traditional Armenian dishes. Now that she’s a student at Pepperdine, she invites her fellow Armenian students to her dorm where she feeds them the foods they grew up eating.

“For me, sharing a meal is very important,” Urfalyan said. “I love splitting bread — that’s kind of how we say it in Armenian, where it’s like you split bread with someone, you trust them.”

Urfalyan said she’s always had a heart for the kitchen and began learning from a young age — her mom taught her how to make her signature Manti at 8 years old.

When Urfalyan’s grandmother would come down from Fresno to Urfalyan’s home in Las Vegas, she would be working all day in the kitchen — Urfalyan was tied to her hip. She said some of her best memories come from being in the kitchen with her grandmother or mom.

Urfalyan carried that piece of home with her to Malibu.

“I’m someone that absolutely adores cooking,” Urfalyan said. “It’s kind of like my getaway from classes and from work and all the stress that comes with everyday life.”

In her first two years, Urfalyan lived on-campus without a kitchen in her dorm, meaning she would either have to eat the food on-campus or go out and buy food. Not having a kitchen or being able to cook for herself made the switch to university a lot harder, Urfalyan said.

Urfalyan’s friend, senior Suzy Mirzakhanyan, found herself in a similar situation. Unsatisfied with the school’s cafeteria food, she said she started buying food from restaurants, which turned out to be costly. Now, she cooks Armenian food in her dorm — she calls it comfort food.

This year, Urfalyan moved into the George Page Apartments, where she has a kitchen in her dorm. Urfalyan and Mirzakhanyan started cooking at school, for themselves and their friends.

At one point, Mirzakhanyan said her and Urfalyan were cooking food every day. One day, dinner would be at Urfalyan’s dorm, and the next it would be at Mirzakhanyan’s dorm.

Then, Urfalyan and Mirzakhanyan decided to set a standard — they needed to cook at least one Armenian meal every week.

“We make an effort to do it because — I guess our culture feels like home,” Mirzakhanyan said.

Urfalyan’s roommate, senior Elen Akopyan said Urfalyan taught her how to make Manti, and she now uses that recipe with her own family.

Urfalyan invites her friends over to her dorm two to three times a week to share a meal. Typically, she said she’ll decide in the morning if she’s going to cook that day, and then she sends out a text in a group chat with some friends. It isn’t planned days in advance — unless it’s a meal that requires more preparation.

Urfalyan cooks for a big group, even if the group is just five or six people. She said she doesn’t want anyone feeling like they can’t get seconds.

When she goes shopping for food, she said she buys for a group.

“I genuinely feel like a mom of three kids,” Urfalyan said.

Mirzakhanyan said their tight-knit bond comes from their culture.

Their memories might be shared at the dinner table, but it’s not dedicated wholly to the meal. Urfalyan said everyone is kind of doing their own thing — conversing, doing homework, studying and watching Armenian soap operas together.

“We honestly just hang out,” Urfalyan said. “It’s just kind of quality time that we’re all spending together.”

Akopyan said their dinner nights are probably one of their most cherished memories from this current academic year.

“It’s spontaneous, but it’s also just a way for us to have conversation and hang out when the topic isn’t always about school,” Akopyan said.

After dinner, cleaning up is short — five to 10 minutes. Urfalyan said everyone helps contribute to the cleaning process. Usually, at the end of the night, they close off with a fruit board or a cup of tea, maybe some dessert.

Mirzakhanyan cooks for the group as well. She said that it’s been harder for her to cook and host this semester because of school, but that her and Urfalyan would regularly contribute to a night together.

“If she was making dinner, I was hitting dessert, or if she was making something, I was hitting a side, or if I was making dinner, she was bringing a side or dessert,” Mirzakhanyan said.

Urfalyan’s cousin and her best friend are first year students. She doesn’t want them to go through the same dilemma she did, so Urfalyan said she told them to just text her when they want food, and that she’ll have something on the table for them.

“We’re always making an effort to meet up and talk about our week and spend time together,” Mirzakhanyan said. “We genuinely do prioritize that.”

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Armenia could quit Russia’s NATO-equivalent alliance and economic union if Mo

Hambik Zargarian
EuroMaidan
Apr 5 2026

Armenia’s parliament speaker, Alen Simonyan, said on 4 April that his country would exit both Russia’s collective security alliance and its economic union if Moscow raised gas prices, News.am reported. Simonyan said he does not expect the scenario to materialize, citing a “very good, productive, and fruitful” follow-up conversation between the leaders. 

The warning comes after the 1 April meeting between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Russian ruler Putin, at which Putin hinted at possible gas supply problems if Armenia continues its EU pivot. The statement is the latest indicator of Armenia’s accelerating drift from Russia’s orbit — a shift years in the making, rooted in Moscow’s refusal to intervene during Azerbaijan’s 2020 and 2023 offensives in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Putin’s gas hint, Simonyan’s answer 

At the 1 April meeting in Moscow, Putin hinted that Armenia could face gas supply problems if it moves closer to the EU. 

“Gas prices in Europe exceed 600 dollars per 1,000 m³, whereas Russia provides gas to Armenia at 177.5 per 1,000 m³,” he told Pashinyan, adding that “the disparity is vast, the difference is substantial.”

The Armenian PM reiterated on the same day that Armenia has frozen its participation in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) — Russia’s military alliance covering Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan — at all levels, calling the decision sufficient for now.

Commenting on the Pashinyan-Putin meeting, Simonyan said such gas price discussions are not new. 

“If they make that decision, Armenia will make its own decision and withdraw from the CSTO, from the Eurasian Economic Union,” he said at a briefing before an extraordinary session of the ruling Civil Contract party. He added that Armenia has done nothing against Russia and does not intend to, but “will defend the interests of the Republic of Armenia.”

Simonyan said he does not think it will come to an exit, pointing to the productive conversation between the leaders after the Putin-Pashinyan meeting. 


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