Author: Hovik Karapetian

Belarus Summons Armenian Chargé Over “Unfriendly” Remarks

Hovik Karapetian
The European Conservative
May 6 2026

Belarus Summons Armenian Chargé Over “Unfriendly” Remarks

The dispute between the two countries escalated after Armenian diplomat Alen Simonyan said, “Armenia should not become a [province] and be governed the way Belarus is.”

TEC News
— May 6, 2026

Belarus has summoned Armenia’s Chargé d’Affaires Artur Sargsyan over what it called “unfriendly actions” by Yerevan, marking another escalation in already strained relations between the two Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) member states.

The Belarusian Foreign Ministry did not specify the exact measures it was referring to, but the move followed criticism from Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ruslan Varankov regarding remarks made by Armenian Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan. Simonyan had said, “Armenia should not become a [province] and be governed the way Belarus is,” a statement interpreted in Minsk as a political provocation.

In response, Varankov said, “the statements by the speaker of the Armenian Parliament are nothing more than electioneering populism and a desperate attempt to distract voters from the country’s dire domestic problems.” He added, “with poverty topping 40%, unemployment soaring, and entire regions stagnating, it is easiest to designate an external adversary and resort to offensive labels. This cynical approach is regrettable.”

He also stressed that “Belarusians and Armenians are bound by strong historical ties,” and expressed hope that Armenia’s leadership would “return to constructive dialogue.”

Simonyan rejected the criticism, saying, “I believe it is the disrespectful attitude toward Armenia, a partner in the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), and toward Armenian statehood that damages relations.” He also added, “for Armenia, human rights and freedoms are among the highest values, and I think every state chooses its own model. We have chosen the path of democratisation.”

Earlier this week, over 30 European leaders gathered for the European Political Community (EPC) summit in Yerevan, signaling a major geopolitical shift in the South Caucasus.


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Armenia is moving decisively toward Europe, says Macron

Hovik Karapetian
Politics15:55, 5 May 2026
Read the article in: العربيةفارسی French

French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed France’s strong support for Armenia’s European integration and praised the country’s progress toward democracy, peace, and economic development during a press conference in Yerevan following his meeting with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

He said that Armenia is moving confidently toward Europe, emphasizing that it is a full member of the European family.

“Armenia has decisively chosen the path of peace and prosperity, and has strengthened its democracy despite challenges,” he said.

“Armenia is decisively moving toward Europe and has always been a full member of the European family. This progress in the field of European policy, I can say, has been evident to me over these past two days,” Macron, who is on a state visit to Armenia, said.

The President of France noted that relations between France and Armenia are based on historical ties and brotherhood and are now entering a new phase.

“The friendship between France and Armenia has been formed on the basis of a shared history and unwavering brotherhood, and these relations are now experiencing a new turning point,” he said.

The French President emphasized that since his last visit in 2018, Armenia has made significant progress, overcoming the consequences of war and moving toward a phase of peace and development.

“Armenia has gone through war, then established peace, and then prosperity,” Macron said, recalling that in recent years Armenia’s economy has recorded an average annual growth of around 6 percent.

Macron stressed that recent international events held in Yerevan demonstrate Armenia’s European orientation.

“All of this was unthinkable eight years ago—to organize a European Political Community summit in Yerevan, to organize an Armenia–European Union summit,” he said.

The French President also highlighted the deepening cooperation between Armenia and the European Union, emphasizing the need to expand investments, infrastructure, and economic ties.

According to Macron, within the framework of European programs, investments are expected to increase, cooperation in the defense sector will deepen, and the visa liberalization process will advance.

Macron noted that in recent years Armenian–French relations have developed significantly across many sectors.

He recalled France’s support for Armenia in different periods, including after the 1988 earthquake and after the events of 2020, when France provided humanitarian assistance.

The French President also emphasized the expansion of economic cooperation, highlighting infrastructure projects.

He referred to projects implemented with the participation of French companies, including the construction of the Bargushat tunnel, as well as initiatives in the water sector involving Veolia in the development of reservoirs and irrigation systems.

He said France also plays an active role in Armenia through the French Development Agency, supporting inclusive and sustainable development programs.

Macron noted that a new phase has also opened in bilateral relations in the defense sector, emphasizing the importance of the strategic partnership agreement.

“We wanted to support the modernization of Armenia’s armed forces and the strengthening of its sovereignty,” he said.

The French President also highlighted cooperation in education, science, and culture.

He singled out the role of the French University in Armenia as a high-level educational institution, as well as cultural cooperation agreements signed between the National Library of France, the Museum of Art and Literature of Yerevan, and Matenadaran.

Macron also emphasized the involvement of local self-government bodies and civil society organizations in the development of bilateral relations, noting that Armenia holds an important place in French community cooperation programs.

The French President reaffirmed support for Armenia’s peace agenda and regional stability.

“We want and are determined to accompany you on the path to sustainable peace,” he said.

At the end of his speech, Macron thanked the Armenian Prime Minister and reaffirmed France’s support for Armenia’s chosen strategic path.

“The agreements signed today open a new path for the coming years,” the French President emphasized.

Published by Armenpress, original at 
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EPC Summit: Luxembourg’s PM arrives in Armenia

Hovik Karapetian
Read the article in: العربيةفارسیFrançaisՀայերենქართულიRussian中文

Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Luc Frieden has arrived in Armenia to participate in the 8th European Political Community (EPC) Summit in Yerevan.

Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Khachatryan welcomed Prime Minister Frieden at Zvartnots Airport.

Published by Armenpress, original at 
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Armenian PM, NATO Secretary General discuss strengthening partnership

Hovik Karapetian
Politics15:39, 4 May 2026
Read the article in: العربيةEspañolFrançaisHayerenРусский中文

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on the margins of the European Political Community Summit in Yerevan on Monday.

According to a readout from Pashinyan’s office, the sides discussed regional security, the course of Armenia-NATO cooperation, and prospects for further development.

Prime Minister Pashinyan emphasized the importance of the continued deepening of the partnership, highlighting steps taken in the areas of democratic reforms and the development of capabilities in the defense sector.

PM Pashinyan and Secretary General Rutte also discussed efforts aimed at international and regional stability, as well as other issues of mutual interest.

Both sides reaffirmed their readiness to continue constructive dialogue and cooperation based on shared values and mutual trust.

Read the article in: العربيةEspañolFrançaisHayerenРусский中文

Published by Armenpress, original at 
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Armenia’s Karapetyan says Saakashvili turned Batumi into ‘Azerbaijani–Turkish

Hovik Karapetian
OC Media
May 4 2026
by Yousef Bardouka

Russian–Armenian tycoon Samvel Karapetyan, the leader of the Strong Armenia Alliance of Parties, has claimed that the governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan were discussing settling ‘300,000 Azerbaijanis in Armenia’. He said that such a move would turn Armenia into a ‘Turkish–Azerbaijani enclave’, claiming former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili had turned the western Georgian city of Batumi into such an enclave.

The comments came in an interview with Armenian media outlet Aysor, in response to a question about whether ‘Azerbaijani businesspeople can be trusted and allowed to invest in Armenia’.

Earlier, the interviewer asked Karapetyan about statements in which Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that the resettlement of Azerbaijanis displaced from Armenia at the height of the conflict between the two countries and the return of Armenians to Nagorno-Karabakh were both off the table in the peace talks.

‘You can be sure that if [Azerbaijani President Ilham] Aliyev and Nikol Pashinyan manage to resettle 300,000 Azerbaijanis in Armenia, they will buy land, build factories, where Azerbaijanis will work. We have such an example in neighbouring Georgia. Due to Saakashvili’s mistakes, Batumi has become like a Turkish–Azerbaijani enclave’, claimed Karapetyan.

He claimed that his party would ‘stop all that’ and create 300,000 jobs for Armenians.

During the interview, Karapetyan additionally claimed that ‘all decisions about Armenia are made in Azerbaijan’ and that Pashinyan ‘did everything to antagonise relations with our main allies’ — an allusion to the continuously deteriorating ties between Armenia and Russia.

‘We should have very friendly relations with the US, with England, with France, with China, as well as with our friend, Russia. Only in this way can we secure serious guarantees from the superpowers’, Karapetyan said.

Asked about Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev’s visit to Armenia on 29 May, Karapetyan accused Pashinyan of shying away from asking the Azerbaijani official ‘all questions related to Armenia’s interests’, such as the destruction of Armenian heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh and the fate of the 19 Armenians — including former Nagorno-Karabakh officials — in Azerbaijani prisons.

‘When the deputy boss comes, Nikol [Pashinyan] has no right to ask any questions, he is only in the role of the listener’, Karapetyan said.

According to recent public opinion surveys, Karapetyan and his Strong Armenia Alliance are poised to be Pashinyan and his ruling Civil Contract party’s biggest opponents in the June parliamentary elections.

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Armenia to start gearing up for FIFA U-20 World Cup 2029, expecting over 100,0

Hovik Karapetian
Sports12:02, 30 April 2026
Read the article in: ArmenianRussian:

Authorities in Armenia estimate that over 100,000 football fans will arrive in the country during the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2029, which will be co-hosted with Georgia.

Around 30 matches will take place in Armenia, according to the country’s sports minister.

“It is expected that we will have more than 100,000 fans attending the matches on those days,” Zhanna Andreasyan, the Armenian Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, said at a Cabinet meeting on Thursday.

Preliminarily, up to 20 matches will be held in Yerevan, while the rest will take place in Vanadzor and Ijevan.

Speaking about infrastructure upgrades, Andreasyan said that preparatory work is already underway.

According to her, the Vanadzor stadium is currently under reconstruction and is planned to be upgraded to UEFA Category 4 standards, with a minimum capacity of 12,000 spectators.

In addition, a new stadium is planned to be built in Ijevan, which will also meet UEFA Category 4 requirements.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who earlier hailed the FIFA decision to confirm Armenia and Georgia’s joint bid, once again described it as an important achievement.

“This is a major event in the life of our country, both in terms of football and in general,” Pashinyan said.

The prime minister also extended gratitude to Georgian partners and personally to Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze for effective cooperation, as well as the football federations of both countries for their work on the joint bid to host the tournament.

According to him, it is now necessary to move to the practical stage by establishing organizational structures.

“I think we should form a working group and an organizing committee headed by Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Khachatryan. We should also discuss with our Georgian partners and FIFA the need for a joint organizing committee,” Pashinyan said, emphasizing the importance of coordinated work.

Read the article in: ArmenianRussian:

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Armenia should become a strong, safe and economically developed country. Tsarukyan

Hovik Karapetian

Gagik Tsarukyan, the leader of the “Prosperous Armenia” party, made a comprehensive statement in which he presented the main provisions of the pre-election program and pointed out the main challenges facing the country.


According to him, a person is valued by the path he has taken and the work he has done, and it is thanks to his many years of activity that the party has been able to win the trust of the citizens. Tsarukyan emphasized that his team always fulfilled the promises made and consistently worked for the benefit of the state and society.


Responding to the criticism, the politician noted that he never had the opportunity to lead the country. “I’ll take your pain, when did I manage it? Tell me something, let me see. Who made it possible for me to manage with my team so that you can feel the difference every day?” The plan is there, the opportunity is there, the team is there, and the people are there. Today, if you undertake any business, you must calculate one hundred percent with the right people, the right specialist, what you will do, what you will get in return, so that everyone’s life will change immediately within three months,” he stated, adding that if the changes are organized correctly, the results can be significant. to be already in a short time.


Tsarukyan paid particular attention to the country’s economic potential, particularly to the tourism sector. According to his assessment, Armenia has significantly greater tourism potential than is actually used. He gave an example of the conversation he had with the representative of the Kempinski international hotel chain, who, after traveling around the country, noted that Armenia’s tourist opportunities exceed Georgia’s, but they are not properly used.


The politician called tourism a “golden vein” and emphasized that the development of this sector can bring tens of billions of dollars and trigger a chain reaction of economic growth (from the hotel business to the development of marzes).


According to Tsarukyan, the key direction of the program continues to be security. He emphasized that it should be built not on statements, but on the balance of forces, interests and obligations. The politician spoke in favor of “guaranteed peace”, the presence of reliable allies and a strong army, stressing that the country should exclude the recurrence of war.


Tsarukyan also criticized the current political agenda, within the framework of which, according to him, society is forced to make a choice between unilateral concessions and permanent confrontation. He called such an approach a “false choice” and proposed an alternative: a reasonable containment policy based on historical experience and national interests.


Speaking about the foreign policy, he emphasized the need for a balanced course, which should take into account the country’s own resources, as well as alliance and partnership relations. At the same time, according to him, relations with Azerbaijan should be built on the principles of peaceful settlement, but without unilateral concessions and external pressure.


Special attention was paid to the economy in the speech. Tsarukyan announced the need to create a competitive environment and implement large-scale investment projects. Among the priorities, he singled out the construction of a new nuclear power plant, noting that the delay of this project may lead to serious energy problems in the future.


A significant part of the program is devoted to agriculture. The politician spoke in favor of the restoration of the sectorial ministry, the creation of product storage and processing infrastructures, as well as subsidizing agricultural loans (up to the actual zero interest rate level).


Speaking about the development of the capital, Tsarukyan emphasized the need to turn Yerevan into a modern and technological city. Among the recommendations are the improvement of the environment, the development of public transport, the construction of parking lots and the introduction of waste recycling systems.


Particular attention was also paid to the development of marzes, in particular the city of Gyumri was discussed. According to the politician, the problems of the city are of national importance and require the coordinated support of the authorities.


In the social sphere, Tsarukyan mentioned a number of priorities, including the fight against drug addiction, the increase of pensions and the development of education. He emphasized that the state should ensure a decent standard of living, where people do not have to choose between food and medicine.


Summarizing, he noted that the team still has a lot to do, including regional visits and meetings with citizens. The politician considered the creation of a “strong, developing and safe Armenia” as his main goal.

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Armenian president meets Estonian delegation, hails strong bilateral ties

Hovik Karapetian
Politics18:11, 28 April 2026
Read the article in: العربيةFrançaisHayerenРусский中文

President Vahagn Khachaturyan has received members of the Estonia-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group from Riigikogu.

The Armenian president’s office said Vahagn Khachaturyan welcomed the delegation and noted that bilateral ties continue to develop steadily.

“Our friendly relations, grounded in shared democratic values, are advancing dynamically – not only at bilateral and multilateral levels, but also within the broader framework of the Armenia-EU partnership,” he said.

The president also referred to the recent visit of Estonia’s foreign minister to Armenia, during which Estonia officially opened its resident embassy in Yerevan. He said the embassy would contribute to expanding cooperation across multiple sectors and strengthening people-to-people ties, while underlining the importance of enhancing inter-parliamentary engagement.

Ando Kiviberg, a member of the friendship group, thanked the president for the warm reception. He said relations between Estonia and Armenia are built on mutual trust, respect and shared values, noting similarities in historical experience, democratic development and common challenges.

The sides discussed a range of issues on the bilateral agenda, as well as cooperation within the European Union-Armenia framework. Both highlighted the need to deepen practical cooperation, particularly in digitalisation and e-governance, where Estonia has recognised expertise.

They also exchanged views on regional developments and the current security and political environment. Discussions touched on the new situation following the Armenia–United States agreements of August 8, 2025, as well as the opportunities they create for Armenia and the wider region, with both sides stressing the importance of stability and cooperation.

The meeting further emphasised the continuation of initiatives aimed at strengthening democratic institutions, along with mutual support in promoting the rule of law, transparent governance and the protection of human rights.

Read the article in: العربيةFrançaisHayerenРусский中文

Published by Armenpress, original at 
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Traffic restrictions announced in Yerevan ahead of EPC Summit

Hovik Karapetian
Armenia10:18, 27 April 2026
Read the article in: Armenian中文:

Authorities announced Monday that several streets will be temporarily closed to traffic from May 3 to 5 for organizational and protocol events as part of the 8th European Political Community Summit in Yerevan.

“Please follow the instructions of the police. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding. Additional information about traffic restrictions will be provided,” the Ministry of Internal Affairs said in a press release.

The 8th Summit of the European Political Community will take place on May 4, 2026, in Yerevan, Republic of Armenia, under the motto “Building the Future: Unity and Stability in Europe.”The Summit will bring together European leaders and heads of international organizations at a pivotal moment of shaping and strengthening Europe’s collective path. It will serve as an inclusive forum for open dialogue, strategic coordination, and shared reflection on Europe’s priorities, fostering collaboration, mutual understanding, and tangible initiatives that support a more resilient and forward-looking continent.

Read the article in: Armenian中文:

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Sports: Batumi 2026: Karapetyan secures third European crown

Hovik Karapetian
Inside the Game
April 26 2026

The 21-year-old edged out Luis Lauret Rodriguez by just one kilogram to claim gold at the European Weightlifting Championships in Georgia. The Armenian star secured his third senior title in a high-stakes battle that went down to the final lifts.

The men’s 110 kg category was the only weight category in which medals were awarded on the seventh day of the competition. Four top athletes were among the gold medal contenders: double European champion Garik Karapetyan of Armenia; his teammate and double Olympic silver medallist, Simon Martirosyan; the returning European runner-up and former Pan American champion, Luis Lauret Rodriguez, who has represented Romania since 2024; and the 2022 European champion, Hristo Hristov of Bulgaria.

Karapetyan set the pace early on in the snatch discipline, successfully lifting a new European record on his final attempt. However, he was later surpassed by Hristov and Lauret, who lifted 190 kg. Lauret, a former Cuban athlete, went on to finish with 195 kg and win the gold medal. Hristov attempted to tie the world record of 196 kg with his last lift, but failed.

Martirosyan successfully lifted 183 kg in his second attempt at the snatch, but failed to lift 190 kg and remained in fourth place.

The competition reached fever pitch during the clean & jerk session, in which both Lauret and Hristov had two successful attempts but failed on their third. Lauret eventually finished with 219 kg, while Hristov finished with 222 kg. This enabled Karapetyan to win the gold medal in this discipline and take the lead in the overall standings when he successfully lifted 226 kg on his second attempt.

Khas Magomed Balaev (Individual Neutral Athletes) won the silver medal in the clean and jerk event with a lift of 225 kg, while Hristov took the bronze.

The final classification was settled by the finest of margins. Karapetyan’s absolute total of 415 kg earned him a third consecutive European senior title, finishing just ahead of Lauret, who claimed the overall silver with 414 kg. Hristov’s consistency across both lifts earned him the absolute bronze with a total of 412 kg.

Martirosyan, struggled to match the pace of the leaders. He successfully registered 215 kg on his first attempt, and tried to edge out Hristov for third place, but ultimately failed to lift the 230 kg bar, instead settling for sixth overall.

The competition concludes on Sunday, with the superheavyweight category lifters taking to the platform.

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