Author: Kalashian Nyrie

Mirzoyan’s famous “whisper”. Foreign Ministry approves a direct trade trip with Turkey

Kalashian Nyrie

The spokesperson of the RA MFA spoke about the removal of bans on bilateral trade by Turkey with RA.

“We welcome Turkey’s decision to remove the ban on bilateral trade with Armenia, which is another result of the process of normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey.

The decision is significant in terms of expanding trade and business ties between the two countries, promoting economic connectivity in the region, and ensuring peace and prosperity.

Let’s emphasize that this is an important step in the direction of the development of full and normal relations between the two countries, which can have its logical continuation through the opening of the Armenia-Turkey border and the establishment of diplomatic relations,” said the post on Facebook.

As we have already reported, direct trade between Armenia and Turkey in the customs sense, without reformulations, has become possible.

Let’s remind that yesterday, during the campaign in the Shengavit administrative district of Yerevan, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan approached Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan live and said something in his ear.

Later, Pashinyan clarified that it refers to the change in the wording of the export of goods from Turkey to Armenia.

According to him, according to the legal regulations of the Turkish side, Armenia was not included in the list of countries, which is why the goods were first of all formulated as being exported to a third country, and then re-exported to Armenia.

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Armenian and Finnish foreign ministries hold political consultations

Kalashian Nyrie
Politics16:50, 7 May 2026
Read the article in: العربيةFrançaisՀայերենRussian

The Armenian and Finnish foreign ministries held political consultations on the margins of the Yerevan Dialogue 2026 forum. The meeting was co-chaired by Armenian Deputy FM Vahan Kostanyan and Sari Rautio, Director General for the Euro-Atlantic Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland.

The foreign ministry officials praised the continuously expanding political dialogue between Armenia and Finland.

A number of issues related to the development of bilateral sectoral cooperation were discussed, including interaction in trade and economic affairs, security, high technologies, and water resources management, according to a readout from the Armenian Foreign Ministry.

The expansion of the Armenia–EU partnership and the deepening of cooperation between Armenia and Finland within the EU framework were emphasized.

Views were exchanged on a range of international and regional issues. The Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia presented the situation in the South Caucasus, addressing matters related to the institutionalization of peace and the development of connectivity.

Read the article in: العربيةFrançaisՀայերենRussian

Published by Armenpress, original at 
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Why Jewish and Armenian Networks Should Work Together

Kalashian Nyrie
Times of Israel
May 6 2026

International relations are no longer shaped solely by states. Over the past three decades, power has diffused into transnational networks — diasporas, lobbying ecosystems, financial flows, and digital communities that operate across borders with speed and flexibility that governments cannot match. These networks influence legislation, shape media narratives, mobilize capital, and increasingly determine access — often with fewer constraints than formal diplomacy.

Consider the mechanics. In the United States, pro-Israel advocacy networks have helped secure consistent military aid packages exceeding $3.8 billion annually, while maintaining bipartisan political backing for Israel across decades of shifting administrations. At the same time, global Jewish philanthropic networks distribute billions of dollars annually through foundations that fund education, security, and cultural initiatives worldwide. These are not abstract “soft power” tools but structured systems of influence operating continuously across political, economic, and cultural domains.

Armenian networks, while smaller, demonstrate a similar model. Armenian diaspora organizations — particularly in the United States, France, and Russia — have coordinated long-term campaigns that culminated in over 30 countries formally recognizing the Armenian Genocide, including the United States in 2021. In France alone, Armenian advocacy has repeatedly translated into legislative action, public commemorations, and sustained political visibility. These outcomes were not achieved through state leverage, but through persistence of networked influence.

Beyond lobbying, transnational networks operate through economic channels. Armenian business diasporas maintain investment flows into sectors ranging from construction to IT, particularly in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Jewish networks, for their part, are deeply embedded in global finance, technology, and venture capital ecosystems linking innovation hubs from Tel Aviv to Silicon Valley. These economic linkages create parallel channels of influence that often bypass formal diplomatic constraints.

The scale of these systems is significant. The Jewish diaspora numbers approximately 8–9 million people outside Israel, while the Armenian diaspora is estimated at more than 7 million. Together, these communities represent a combined global network of over 15 million people, embedded across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and beyond.

And yet, despite these structural similarities, cooperation between Jewish and Armenian transnational networks remains minimal. This is a strategic blind spot.

For decades, relations have been framed through a state-centric lens shaped by Israel’s security cooperation with Azerbaijan, energy considerations, and its complex relationship with Turkey. But this perspective overlooks where influence is increasingly generated: below the level of formal diplomacy.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the Turkish factor — not only as a historical issue, but as an active geopolitical variable.

For Armenians, the legacy of the Armenian Genocide — in which up to 1.5 million Armenians perished — remains a central pillar of global identity and political mobilization. Ankara’s continued refusal to fully recognize the events, coupled with its global lobbying efforts to prevent recognition, has turned historical memory into a persistent arena of geopolitical contestation.

For Jews, sensitivity to denialism is deeply rooted in the experience of the Holocaust. But the Turkish dimension today extends beyond memory. Over the past decade, relations between Turkey and Israel have shifted from strategic alignment to recurring confrontation.

Under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Ankara has increasingly adopted an assertive regional posture, combining geopolitical expansion with ideological positioning. Diplomatic crises — from the Gaza flotilla raid to repeated ambassador withdrawals and sustained anti-Israel rhetoric — have transformed bilateral relations into a volatile and often adversarial dynamic. Turkish leadership has at times blurred the line between criticism of Israeli policy and broader anti-Jewish narratives, contributing to a more hostile information environment.

Simultaneously, Turkey has expanded its influence across the South Caucasus, the Eastern Mediterranean, and parts of the Middle East. Its close military partnership with Azerbaijan — including direct support during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflicts — has introduced new complexities into Israel’s regional positioning.

This creates an unexpected convergence. For Armenians, Turkey represents unresolved historical trauma combined with ongoing geopolitical pressure. For Jews and Israel, it is an increasingly unpredictable regional actor whose rhetoric and positioning can directly affect diplomatic space and community security. Both communities are therefore navigating not only the legacy of Turkey’s past, but the implications of its present.

That shared experience matters.

According to the Anti-Defamation League’s report, antisemitic attitudes exceed 50 percent in several regions, particularly across the Middle East and North Africa. In Europe, antisemitic incidents have risen steadily over the past decade. Yet in many of these same regions, Armenian communities occupy a different position.

In countries such as Lebanon and Iran, Armenian communities operate as historically rooted and politically neutral minorities, maintaining broad social integration and relatively flexible external connections. Jewish communities, including in Iran, also retain formal recognition — with synagogues, schools, and even a reserved parliamentary seat.

Yet their position is more constrained. Political _expression_ is tightly limited, particularly on issues related to Israel, and community leadership operates within clearly defined boundaries set by the state. This creates a crucial distinction: while Jewish communities maintain continuity, their ability to function as outward-facing transnational networks is often restricted. Armenian networks, by contrast, tend to retain greater flexibility in external engagement, particularly in regions where political sensitivities limit direct Jewish presence.

This asymmetry creates potential complementarity. Armenian networks cannot and should not act as intermediaries for Jewish interests. But they can facilitate indirect channels of engagement, cultural exchange, and perception-building in regions where direct Jewish outreach is limited. In a network-driven world, influence often depends less on formal alliances than on access and trust.

The complementarity runs both ways. Jewish transnational networks remain among the most advanced globally. Their experience in advocacy, coalition-building, and strategic communication has produced measurable outcomes — from sustained international support for Israel to the institutionalization of Holocaust education worldwide. Armenian networks, while effective, remain less systematized.

A structured exchange — sharing advocacy techniques, digital mobilization strategies, and institutional best practices — could strengthen Armenian capacity while expanding Jewish reach into regions where access is otherwise limited.

Crucially, this potential rests on a foundation of relatively positive mutual perception. Armenians, unlike many groups in regions where antisemitism is prevalent, generally view Jews without entrenched hostility. In an era where perception defines the boundaries of engagement, this fact matters.

The case for Jewish-Armenian cooperation is rooted in structural reality. Both are small nations with global footprints. Both rely on diasporas that exceed their populations at home. Both operate in a world where influence is increasingly exercised through networks rather than states. And both face a geopolitical environment in which traditional alliances are less predictable and often insufficient.

Israel has mastered statecraft under difficult conditions. But in a system where transnational networks shape policy, narratives, and access, statecraft alone is no longer enough. The next phase of strategy must look beyond formal alliances — toward partnerships between networks.

Jewish and Armenian diasporas have developed in parallel for centuries, often confronting similar challenges, yet rarely aligning their strengths. That may be one of the most underexplored strategic opportunities of our time. If Jews and Israel continue to think only in terms of states, it risks overlooking the structures that increasingly define global power. And among those structures, the potential alignment between Jewish and Armenian transnational networks is strategically consequential.

About the Author
Leo Gartenstein is a political researcher specializing in migration and diaspora studies based in Hannover, Germany. He is focusing on issues related to transnational communities, migration dynamics, and diaspora engagement in global politics.

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The failure of European integration and the support of Pashinyan’s personal rule

Kalashian Nyrie

Briefly about the Yerevan Summit of the European Political Community.


● it stated that a proxy war (for now at the informational level) between the EU and Russia is starting in Armenia. Its “ideological” foundations were formulated by Macron with his cynical speeches.


● did not contribute to the European integration of Armenia in any way. The issue of Armenia’s membership is not and cannot be on the agenda of the EU.


● this summit was not about supporting the democracy of Armenia, but the reproduction of the power of Nikol Pashinyan,


● the humiliating model at the basis of the Armenian-Azerbaijani relations regulation process was demonstrated once again. Aliyev accused the people of Artsakh of “separatism”, called the military-political leadership of Artsakh “war criminals”, in response to which he heard Nikol Pashinyan’s flattering statement about hosting Baku in 2028.


Political scientist Suren Surenyants




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As a result of the Armenia-EU summit, the Armenia-EU joint declaration was adopted

Kalashian Nyrie

May 5, 2026

Today, on May 5, Armenia-EU joint declaration was adopted as a result of the Armenia-EU summit in Yerevan. Below we present the full text of the declaration.

«Joint statement on the results of the Armenia-European Union summit

May 5, 2026, Yerevan

We, the leaders of the Republic of Armenia (Armenia) and the European Union (EU), held the first Armenia-European Union summit in Yerevan in 2026. on May 5 and we agreed on the following.

1. Today’s summit is a historic milestone in the deepening of Armenia-EU relations. It reflects the significant achievements of recent years and the strategic importance of our partnership delivering tangible results for our citizens and businesses.

The EU reaffirms its unwavering commitment to further strengthen relations with Armenia and support Armenia’s sovereignty, resilience and comprehensive reform agenda based on democracy, human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, as well as long-term development, bringing Armenia and the Armenian people closer to the European Union.

The EU also encourages Armenia’s willingness to intensify bilateral partnership through sectoral integration and approximation to EU legislation.

2. The EU recognizes the European aspirations of the Armenian people, which are rooted in 2025. in March with the adoption of the law on “Starting the process of accession of the Republic of Armenia to the European Union”, which expresses the country’s intention to move towards the EU.

3. We reaffirm that the future of Armenia must be decided in a free and democratic way by its citizens.

4. We acknowledge Armenia’s commitment to building a deep and sustainable democracy, as outlined in the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement and the Armenia-EU Strategic Partnership Agenda. These documents set an ambitious political framework to guide our cooperation in the coming years. In this context, it is essential to emphasize the role of civil society in monitoring the implementation of bilateral commitments.

5. We welcome the 8th Summit of the European Political Community, which was successfully held in Yerevan in 2026. on May 4.

6. Armenia and the EU are bound by common political values ​​and commitment to the international order based on international law, the UN Charter and rules. We reaffirm the fundamental principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. The deepening of our bilateral relations is a contribution to peace, stability and prosperity in the South Caucasus and beyond.

7. In this regard, we highly appreciate the efforts aimed at further institutionalizing peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan and guaranteeing the signing and ratification of the peace agreement. We also highly appreciate 2025. the results of the Washington summit on August 8 and the subsequent steps towards the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

In addition, the EU also fully supports the normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey and the inclusive reopening of all regional communications, based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity of the countries of the region, as well as the indivisibility and reciprocity of borders. We highly appreciate the contribution of the EU mission to Armenia in promoting peace and stability in the South Caucasus.

8. Regarding Ukraine, the parties have expressed concern about the ongoing war, which continues to cause immense human suffering and have global consequences. We support all efforts to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, based on the UN Charter and the principles of international law. The EU reiterated its principled position on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and reaffirmed its support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

9. We discussed the latest developments in the Middle East and their ripple effects around the world. We reiterated our call for de-escalation and restraint, protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and full respect for international law by all. Only dialogue and diplomacy can lead to de-escalation of tensions and restore peace and stability to the Middle East, in full respect of the UN Charter and international law.

10. The €270 million “Resilience and Growth Program” continues to advance Armenia’s socio-economic reform agenda, strengthen sectoral cooperation and promote investments in the energy, transport and private sectors. In order to further support the country’s reform agenda and closer approximation to the EU, 2027 may be considered. possible perspectives of future financial support.

11. Under the “Global Gateways” strategy, EU investments in Armenia are expected to reach 2.5 billion euros. Armenia and the EU are committed to promoting inclusive growth and enhanced connectivity based on mutually beneficial cooperation.

12. We welcome the Armenia-EU Connectivity Partnership and highlight the strategic importance of its three branches: transport, energy and digital, as well as people-to-people initiatives that strengthen mutual understanding, resilience of societies and links with European networks of ideas, talent and investment to further develop the Armenia-EU partnership agenda.

In this context and within the framework of the EU interregional connectivity agenda, the EU welcomes Armenia’s initiatives aimed at improving inclusive regional connectivity based on the principles of sovereignty, jurisdiction, equality and reciprocity, and reaffirms its support for the “Crossroads for Peace” initiative.

This shared vision contributes to the promotion of peace, stability and connectivity in the Black Sea, South Caucasus and Central Asia while strengthening people-to-people ties. In this regard, progress in the implementation of the Trump Road to International Peace and Prosperity (TRIP) is seen as key, contributing to sustainable, secure and inclusive regional connectivity.

13. The Call for Expressions of Interest for EU/EEA companies to invest in Armenia complements the Connectivity Partnership by mobilizing private sector investment and creating mutually beneficial opportunities, including enhanced market access for EU/EEA companies, and supporting sustainable and resilient economic growth in Armenia.

14. The RA-EU high-level connectivity dialogue will provide a platform for coordinated interaction in the transport, energy and digital sectors, strengthening strategic engagement.

15. We welcome the launch of the RA-EU high-level transport dialogue, which reaffirms the strategic importance of strengthening cooperation in the transport sector in order to expand safe, efficient and sustainable transport links between Armenia and the EU. We also recognize how an expanded trans-European transport network can support Armenia’s closer connectivity with European markets and promote more integrated and diverse regional transport links.

16. The EU welcomes Armenia’s efforts to increase energy security, diversification, stability and resilience. We recognize the strategic value of regional energy connectivity as a driver of growth, resilience, stability and energy security and the potential of regional landmark initiatives of mutual interest, such as the prospects of including Armenia in the Black Sea Undersea Cable.

17. In accordance with the “First Global Study” adopted at the 28th UN Climate Change Conference, we reaffirm our determination to follow through on the Paris Agreement. The EU encourages continuous reform under EU energy and climate policies, advancing the fight against the global triple crisis of biodiversity loss, pollution and climate change. The EU reaffirms its readiness to support Armenia’s energy transition and integration into the European energy markets.

The EU welcomes Armenia’s intention to join the Global Energy Transition Forum and the Global Electrification Campaign, which demonstrates Armenia’s commitment to advancing the energy transition. The EU, among other things, recognizes the need to strengthen Armenia’s electricity grid, expand storage capacity and promote regional integration.

18. We reaffirm our commitment to ongoing cooperation on nuclear security. Armenia welcomes EU support in the development of the Road Map 5 for the decommissioning of the Armenian nuclear power plant, according to Armenia, by 2040. of the energy strategy and the joint goals defined by the GCC.

19. We will work together to maximize the use of the significant unrealized potential of cooperation in the digital sphere. We will explore the technical compatibility of relevant trust services frameworks with the aim of moving towards mutual recognition of electronic signatures to enhance digital cooperation and cross-border transactions.

20. The EU welcomes Armenia’s intention to join the Chips Joint Undertaking, which will facilitate wider cooperation in research and technological development and the exchange of skilled labour, enhance technological innovation and contribute to the EU’s leadership in semiconductor technology.

21. We will explore cooperation opportunities in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) under the EU Artificial Intelligence Act. This cooperation will support Armenia’s integration into the EU digital single market, guaranteeing the ethical and transparent development of AI technologies.

22. The EU welcomes Armenia’s interest in joining the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking, which will promote the expansion of scientific cooperation, technological innovation and contribute to the EU’s leading role in leading computing technologies.

23. We welcome 2024. the significant progress made in the framework of the launched Visa Liberalization Dialogue, which will expand mobility, promote people-to-people contacts and strengthen economic ties between the European Union and Armenia. We emphasize the effective implementation of the Visa Liberalization Action Plan and its benchmarks, and welcome the effective implementation of the EU-Armenia Visa Facilitation and Readmission Agreements.

24. We support the strengthening of cooperation with Armenia and Europol, Eurojust, Frontex and other EU agencies, as well as within the framework of the European multi-sectoral platform against criminal threats, and we are committed to further expanding our cooperation in the fields of law enforcement, border 6 management, migration management, including combating irregular migration, and justice.

25. We welcome the significant progress made in the negotiations of the working arrangement between Armenia and Frontex, with the initialization of the new text by the two negotiators. We highly appreciate the completion of the negotiations on the working agreement on cooperation between the General Prosecutor’s Office of Armenia and the European Prosecutor’s Office.

26. We will use the existing potential to better respond to common challenges and intensify cooperation in strengthening Armenia’s resilience. To this end, the EU and Armenia are committed to further developing, deepening and strengthening cooperation and dialogue on a range of security and defense issues, taking advantage of existing frameworks and exploring new ways of cooperation, as well as taking into account that security covers a wider range of closely related directions.

27. We appreciate the growing cooperation between the EU and Armenia to strengthen Armenia’s democratic resilience, including countering hybrid threats and external information manipulation and interference, as well as attempts to undermine trust in democratic institutions. The deployment of the EU hybrid rapid response team has made an important contribution to bilateral cooperation in this direction.

28. The establishment of an EU Partnership Mission in Armenia will further strengthen Armenia’s democratic resilience and crisis management capacity by providing advice and support to relevant institutions in Armenia.

29. We welcome two non-lethal support of €30 million to Armenia under the European Instrument for Peace, aimed at strengthening Armenia’s resilience and promoting the interoperability of armed forces for possible future participation in international missions and operations, including those conducted by the EU.

30. The EU welcomes Armenia’s interest in strengthening cooperation with the European Security and Defense College, with the aim of making relevant military and civilian educational institutions in Armenia partners of the College’s associated network.

31. In the framework of security and defense cooperation, we will promote the exchange of ideas, multilateral discussions on cyber security and resilience, preparedness and response to cyber incidents and attacks, strengthening cyber security and enhancing cyber defense.

32. We welcome the start of negotiations on the “Information Security” agreement on the exchange of confidential information and are committed to completing the negotiations on the latter as soon as possible.

33. We welcome the entry into force of the agreement defining the scope of Armenia’s participation in EU crisis management operations. In this context, we appreciate Armenia’s interest in participating in EU missions and activities. We also welcome Armenia’s increasing alignment with the EU’s common foreign and security policy.

34. We welcome the development and strengthening of cooperation on natural and man-made disasters with the signing of an administrative agreement on cooperation in the field of civil protection, which will facilitate a more effective exchange of information, experience and experts.

35. We are committed to continuing our close cooperation in preventing and disrupting the circumvention of EU sanctions. We will strengthen joint efforts to monitor, restrict, and control the trade and re-export of dual-use items and sensitive wartime items.

36. We welcome progress in financial and economic integration between Armenia and the EU, including possible steps to promote secure, transparent and efficient payments and financial cooperation in line with European standards.

37. The EU continues to be Armenia’s primary trading partner and investor, supporting sustainable growth, job creation and economic diversification; The Comprehensive and Extended Partnership Agreement 8 plays a central role in strengthening this partnership. We reaffirm our commitment to work together to increase and facilitate the diversification of Armenia’s export structure, including the export of new products to the EU market.

38. The EU takes note of Armenia’s desire to move closer to conformity assessment procedures.

39. We welcome the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Intellectual Property Rights between the Intellectual Property Office of Armenia and the EU Intellectual Property Office, which reflects a joint commitment to protect and promote innovation and strengthen a reliable legal framework for intellectual property in Armenia.

40. The EU welcomes Armenia’s interest in joining the EU “Customs” and “Fiscalis” programs to expand cooperation in customs and fiscal matters, moving closer to EU practice and legislation.

41. We reaffirm our strong commitment to promote reforms in areas essential to building a resilient and inclusive society, such as social policy, education, research and innovation, youth, sport, culture and health, for example through the Erasmus international direction, as well as Horizon Europe and Creative Europe.

The EU will support Armenia’s intention to participate in the media component of “Creative Europe”, which will contribute to the development of the audiovisual sector and expand cultural exchanges with the EU.

We welcome the increasing participation of Armenian youth in EU programs and activities, including the “EU for Youth” program, and look forward to their continued involvement.

42. We welcome Armenia’s accession to the Brussels Declaration on the Principles and Values ​​of International Cooperation in Research and Innovation.

43. The EU welcomes Armenia’s interest in the “EU for Health” program (2021-2027).

44. We are ready to explore further steps to advance the Armenia-EU partnership for the benefit of our peoples and enterprises.

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Turkish Press: Turkish vice president’s Armenia visit marks turning point: Env

Kalashian Nyrie
Anadolu Agency, turkey
May 5 206
High-level talks, joint restoration project signal momentum toward full normalization between 2 countries, says Ambassador Serdar Kilic
Tugba Altun, Can Efesoy, Gokhan Celiker
05 May 2026•Update: 05 May 2026
YEREVAN, Armenia

Türkiye’s special envoy for normalization with Armenia, retired Ambassador Serdar Kilic, said that a recent visit by Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz to Yerevan marked a “turning point” in bilateral relations, highlighting growing high-level engagement and new areas of cooperation.

Speaking to Turkish journalists on the sidelines of the “Yerevan Dialogue 2026” conference, held under the theme of “Riding Through the Storms,” Kilic emphasized the significance of Yilmaz’s trip, which was the first at that level in many years.

Kilic said that Yilmaz held a productive exchange with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and took part in the signing of a protocol to restore the historic Ani Bridge, located on the ancient Silk Road. The agreement was signed in the presence of both Yilmaz and Pashinyan.

“Even that alone shows how far Türkiye-Armenia relations have come,” Kilic said. “A vice president of Türkiye came to Yerevan for a conference, was warmly received, and held important meetings. It was a significant visit and a turning point.”

He noted that high-level contacts between the two countries have been increasing, recalling that Pashinyan has visited Türkiye multiple times and that Armenian National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan recently traveled to Ankara.

Kilic said ongoing efforts based on mutual understanding are expected to accelerate the path toward full normalization. He added that many steps remain and that he is working closely with his counterpart, Vice President of the National Assembly of Armenia Ruben Rubinyan, on advancing the process.

Ani Bridge’s historic importance

Highlighting the symbolic importance of the Ani Bridge, Kilic said that the structure dates back to the 11th and 12th centuries and spans both Turkish and Armenian territory. Its central section has collapsed, and both sides plan to restore it jointly.

He said that the project would not only preserve a historic site but also help foster a culture of cooperation between experts from both countries.

Kilic noted that the normalization process formally began in Jan. 2022 and described his working relationship with Rubinyan as “like brothers.”

“If someone had told us in January 2022 that we would reach this point today, no one would have believed it,” he said. “Frankly, we might not have believed it ourselves. In a very short time, we have taken significant steps.”

Increasing people-to-people contact

Kilic also emphasized the importance of increasing people-to-people contact as a cornerstone of the normalization process.

He said that Türkiye’s national carrier, Turkish Airlines, began flights to Yerevan on March 11 and is currently operating one daily service, with plans to increase to two flights per day beginning May 15. He added that Pegasus Airlines is also operating flights between the two countries.

He stressed that beyond economic benefits for companies, these connections are significant for fostering direct interaction between the Turkish and Armenian people.

Kilic also pointed to reciprocal scholarships granted to five university students from each country, as well as visa facilitation measures introduced for holders of diplomatic and official passports, adding that there are still important steps to be taken.

“We have now reached the point of opening the borders, and we are working on that,” he said.

He recalled that a working group meeting was held in Kars regarding the restoration of the Kars-Gyumri railway line and that the foundation of the Dilucu railway line had been laid, adding that such projects could further increase contact between the Turkish and Armenian people.

Reflecting on his previous visit to Yerevan in Sept. 2025, Kilic said that attitudes have shifted noticeably.

“People have started to embrace this process much more,” he said. “At the beginning, there was likely some hesitation and unease between Ruben (Rubinyan) and me, but that is no longer the case. As I said during the meeting, all my proposals are shaped by how we can contribute to this process and to improving the quality of life of the Armenian people.”

On the issue of reopening the border, Kilic said that preparations have reached an advanced stage but cautioned that technical and bureaucratic work must be completed first.

“The border can be considered ready to open, but there are still some bureaucratic and technical steps that need to be finalized,” he said.

“You cannot simply say ‘we opened the border tomorrow’ and allow people to cross immediately. Fiber optic cables need to be laid. Security personnel and customs officers must be in place. Without completing all of this, opening the border just for the sake of saying it’s open would be meaningless.”

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PM Mark Carney invited to join European leaders summit in Armenia

Kalashian Nyrie
CTV News, Canada
April 28 2026
By

AFP

Opens in new window

Published: April 28, 2026 at 10:30AM EDT

Prime Minister Mark Carney will visit Armenia this weekend for a summit on European strategic issues amid signs Ottawa is shifting its focus toward bolstering trade and defence ties on the continent.

Carney’s office confirmed the visit hours after it was announced Tuesday by European Council President Antonio Costa on social media.

The prime minister will be in the Armenian capital, Yerevan, from Saturday until Monday for the European Political Community summit that touches on strategic co-operation for the continent’s politics, security and infrastructure.

European leaders launched the twice-annual summits after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. They include all EU members as well as others such as Iceland, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Montenegro.

Costa wrote that Canada is the first non-European country to take part in the summit and that this highlights joint efforts “to defend peace, shared prosperity and multilateralism.”

Carney’s office said he is attending at the invitation of Costa and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Ottawa is framing the visit as a chance to drum up investment and diversify trade as well as to “meet with European leaders to reinforce collective security and transatlantic defence readiness, while advancing support for Ukraine.”

The prime minister’s news release did not touch on recent history in the Caucasus region, where the former Trudeau government weighed in multiple times on ethnic conflict, often linking its statements with support for the Armenian diaspora in Canada.

“In a more dangerous and divided world, Canada’s government is focused on what we can control,” reads the news release.

Under the Trudeau government, Canada’s special envoy to Europe at the time, Stephane Dion, was tasked with supporting “fragile” democracies in former Soviet states such as Armenia that were trying to move out of Russia’s orbit.

This included support for civil society and work against disinformation, particularly after Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and ethnic tensions escalated in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The region is globally recognized as part of Azerbaijan that was largely populated by ethnic Armenians, and both Armenia and Azerbaijan fought for control of the area after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

When the Ukraine invasion thinned the presence of Russian peacekeepers in the region, Azerbaijan blockaded access routes to Nagorno-Karabakh in what human-rights observers compared to a siege. Azerbaijan then launched a military campaign against separatist forces that in 2023 displaced virtually all 100,000 ethnic Armenians from the area.

Canada joined an EU security mission before the mass evacuation of Armenians — which Canada’s ambassador to the United Nations at the time, Bob Rae, said amounted to “ethnic cleansing.” Ottawa opened an embassy in Yerevan in 2023.

Former foreign affairs minister Melanie Joly at one point described the Nagorno-Karabakh region by using the name preferred by secessionists, Artsakh, during a speech to Montreal’s Armenian community, prompting a formal rebuke from Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry.

The Carney government shelved Dion’s role and has instead appointed an envoy focused strictly on economic and security co-operation with the EU, with a mandate that does not touch on democracy in countries on the outer edges of Europe.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 28, 2026.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/article/pm-mark-carney-invited-to-join-european-leaders-summit-in-armenia/

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Pashinyan to attend Citizen’s Day events in Yerevan

Kalashian Nyrie
Armenia21:15, 21 April 2026
Read the article in: العربيةFrançaisՀայերենRussian

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will attend Citizen’s Day events in Yerevan on April 25.

In a Facebook video message, he said a public “barbecue party” will be held on Amiryan Street at 1:00 p.m., followed by a concert at Republic Square at 8:00 p.m. He noted he will participate and invited citizens to join.

Read the article in: العربيةFrançaisՀայերենRussian

Published by Armenpress, original at 
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Armenian Speaker of Parliament expresses confidence in new phase of ties with

Kalashian Nyrie
Politics16:52, 21 April 2026
Read the article in: Español, Farsi, Armenian, Georgian, Russian

Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan received NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia Kevin Hamilton on Tuesday in Yerevan.

According to a readout from the parliament’s press service, Speaker Simonyan congratulated Hamilton on assuming office, “expressing confidence that Armenia–NATO relations will enter a new stage of development during his tenure.”

Simonyan and Special Representative Hamilton “discussed various issues related to Armenia–NATO cooperation, jointly implemented programs, as well as regional developments.”

Published by Armenpress, original at 
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Council of the European Union outlines operations of new civilian mission in A

Kalashian Nyrie
Armenia20:50, 21 April 2026
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The Council of the European Union has provided details on the new EU civilian mission in Armenia.The Council of the European Union has announced that the new EU Partnership Mission in Armenia (EUPM Armenia), established under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), will contribute to enhancing Armenia’s democratic resilience and strengthening its crisis management capacity, the Council said in a statement.

It is noted that the mission will support Armenia in addressing multi-layered threats such as foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), cyber-attacks, and illicit financial flows.

 “EUPM Armenia will provide strategic advice and capacity building to various ministries and national institutions on the development of policies to address threats faced by society and national institutions, and support the development of a horizontal, whole-of-government approach. It will also provide operational advice and feature a project cell responsible for identifying and implementing concrete actions in the areas covered by the mandate of the mission, in close coordination with like-minded partners,’’ it reads.

“Armenians are facing massive disinformation campaigns and cyber-attacks. Over the next years, a new EU civilian mission will provide expert advice, capacity building for government departments and a team monitoring areas for urgent action. When Armenians go to the polls in June, they alone should choose their country’s future. The EU helps to protect Armenia’s resilience,” Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, was quoted as saying.

“The EU Partnership Mission in Armenia will have an initial mandate of two years, and its Operational Headquarters will be in Armenia. The Managing Director of the Civilian Operations Headquarters  within the European External Action Service – Stefano Tomat – will be the Civilian Operation Commander. He will exercise command and control of EUPM Armenia at the strategic level under the political control and strategic direction of the Council’s Political and Security Committee, and the overall authority of the High Representative. A Head of Mission responsible for leading operations on the ground will be appointed shortly.”

According to the statement, on 2 December 2025, the EU-Armenia Partnership Council endorsed a new Strategic Agenda for the EU-Armenia Partnership. Building on the foundations of the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement, the Strategic Agenda marks a significant step forward in deepening relations across a wide range of areas, including security and defence.EUPM is being deployed at the request of the Armenian authorities.EUPM is the second civilian CSDP mission to Armenia, separate from the EU Mission in Armenia (EUMA), established in 2023 and tasked with observing and reporting on the situation on the ground, contributing to confidence-building and human security in conflict-affected areas.

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Published by Armenpress, original at 
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