Category: News

19 Armenian experts arrive in Azerbaijan as fourth ‘Bridge of Peace’ meeting b

Ani Tigranian
JAM News
April 10 2026
  • Yerevan

On 10 April, 19 representatives of Armenian civil society arrived in Azerbaijan. Together with 20 Azerbaijani experts, they will take part in a bilateral round table on 10–12 April, organised as part of the “Bridge of Peace” initiative.

This is the fourth meeting between civil society representatives from the two countries. Armenian experts have travelled to Azerbaijan for the second time.

Unlike the visit organised in November 2025, they arrived by land this time, not by air. They crossed the demarcated Tavush–Kazakh section of the border and completed border and passport control procedures there.

Azerbaijani experts travelled to Armenia via the same route in February this year. Observers described it as a “symbolic step”.

The initiative’s work on the Armenian side is coordinated by the analytical centre Armenian Council. Its president, Areg Kochinyan, has repeatedly said that meetings held in Armenia and Azerbaijan should be seen as “attempts to lift the iron curtain”.

Armenian experts involved in the “Bridge of Peace” project view the initiative as an additional platform for direct dialogue.

They believe regular contacts can make a significant contribution to building mutual trust, expanding professional cooperation and gradually normalising Armenian-Azerbaijani relations.

Below is the information available so far.

  • ‘We won’t become best friends, but Azerbaijanis’ perception will change’ – Armenian political analyst
  • Armenian and Azerbaijani NGOs meet in Yerevan: what to expect
  • Azerbaijani and Armenian NGOs in Yerevan: Dialogue for peace or a symbolic gesture? Views from Baku

What is known about the meeting’s agenda?

According to Armenian Council, dialogue between civil society representatives from Armenia and Azerbaijan follows the peace agenda adopted at the Washington summit on 8 August 2025.

The centre says the two-day round tables will cover the following issues:

  • the current state of the peace process,
  • actions carried out by participants of the “Bridge of Peace” initiative in their countries and their results,
  • the situation in the region.

“Separate sessions will focus on efforts to promote peace within societies and to increase trust at the next stages of the peace process,” the centre said.

The analytical centre also stressed that the “Bridge of Peace” initiative continues to foster dialogue and direct interaction between civil society representatives from the two countries.

Context

The first meeting between civil society representatives from Armenia and Azerbaijan took place on 21–22 October 2025 in Yerevan.

A month later, on 21–22 November, Armenian experts travelled to Baku. At that time, Armenia’s government allocated about 17.5 million drams (around $20,000) to organise charter flights between Yerevan and Baku.

After the second meeting, the sides agreed to continue working contacts and mutual visits. The initiative then received the name “Bridge of Peace”.

Initially, five experts from each country took part in the initiative. In 2026, organisers expanded the number of participants.

On 13–14 February 2026, 20 experts from the Armenian side and 19 from the Azerbaijani side took part in the third conference of the “Bridge of Peace” initiative. The event took place in the town of Tsaghkadzor in Armenia’s Kotayk region.

From that point, Naira Martikyan, editor and head of JAMnews’ Armenian office, also joined the initiative. She is currently in Azerbaijan as well.

The agenda for civil society representatives from the two countries covers a wide range of issues related to the current stage and development of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations. These include the signing of a peace agreement and the opening of communications.

As part of the initiative, experts also hold meetings with senior officials.

During the trip to Baku in autumn 2025, Armenian experts met Hikmet Hajiyev, head of the foreign policy department of Azerbaijan’s presidential administration.

Azerbaijani experts, during their visit to Armenia, met Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan and Secretary of the Security Council Armen Grigoryan.

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Armenia plans AI road scanning system

Hovik Karapetian
DIG WATCH
April 10 2026

The system will analyse road conditions and recommend repairs.

Armenpress reports that the Government of the Republic of Armenia plans to acquire an AI-powered road-scanning device to improve infrastructure maintenance. The system is intended to assess road conditions and guide repair decisions.

According to the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of the Republic of Armenia, the device will scan roads and use AI to determine the type and depth of repairs required. This includes identifying whether partial repairs or full reconstruction are needed.

Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of the Republic of Armenia, Davit Khudatyan, stated that the AI technology will provide a detailed analysis by passing over road surfaces. The system is expected to improve planning and maintenance efficiency.

The project is estimated to cost between 500 and 600 million drams and forms part of broader efforts to modernise infrastructure management in Armenia.

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Kazakhstan and Armenia Deepen Ties Amid Shifting South Caucasus Dynamics

Emil Lazarian
The Astana Times
April 10 2026

By Aida Haidar, Dana Omirgazy  in International on 10 April 2026

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Armenia are stepping up efforts to strengthen bilateral ties, with a focus on expanding trade, enhancing transport and transit connectivity, as Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev met with  Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and President Vahagn Khachaturyan in Yerevan on April 9. 

A key focus of the talks was trade and logistics. Kosherbayev highlighted new opportunities arising from the evolving geopolitical landscape in the South Caucasus, including the resumption of Kazakh grain exports to Armenia via rail routes through Russia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. 

Kazakhstan also reaffirmed its interest in long-term supplies of agricultural products, notably grain and meat.

Both officials discussed advancing cooperation in transport, transit and trade under the 2026-2030 bilateral roadmap, as well as efforts to establish regular direct air connections between the two countries.

Regional and international matters were also on the agenda, with both sides noting increasing alignment in their positions and a positive track record of cooperation.

In separate talks with President Khachaturyan, Kosherbayev thanked Armenia for its planned participation in the Regional Ecological Summit to be held in Astana on April 22-23, under UN auspices.

Khachaturyan welcomed the initiative, emphasizing the importance of coordinated international efforts to address environmental challenges, and reaffirmed Armenia’s commitment to strengthening ties with Kazakhstan based on mutual respect and partnership.

Kazakhstan, Armenia step up transit push to link Central Asia and South Caucasus

Kosherbayev also met with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan to address efforts to strengthen transit and logistics links between Central Asia and the South Caucasus.

According to the ministry’s press service, the talks reflected a broader push to expand economic ties and unlock new trade routes between the two regions, with both sides emphasizing the growing importance of connectivity amid shifting global supply chains.

Kosherbayev and Mirzoyan reviewed the current state of bilateral relations and discussed prospects for strengthening multifaceted cooperation. Particular attention was paid to trade and economic ties, as well as the development of transit and transport potential. The ministers highlighted the role of the intergovernmental commission and the Kazakh-Armenian Business Council in advancing practical cooperation.

“An important task for us is to ensure both qualitative and quantitative growth in mutual trade turnover. This can be facilitated by diversifying trade and creating opportunities for promoting new goods in our respective markets,” Kosherbayev said.

The officials pointed to a solid foundation for expanding economic ties, noting that more than 100 enterprises with Kazakh capital are registered in Armenia, while over 400 Armenian companies operate in Kazakhstan.

Transport connectivity remained a central theme, with both sides emphasizing that stronger transit and logistics links could create new opportunities for integrating the markets of Central Asia and the South Caucasus. The ministers also welcomed progress toward resuming direct flights between cities in Kazakhstan and Armenia.

Kosherbayev also outlined Kazakhstan’s investment incentives and expressed confidence that combining the economic potential of both countries would help boost investment cooperation.

Cooperation in artificial intelligence and digitalization was identified as a promising area. The sides noted progress on the TUMO Astana educational center and discussed potential joint initiatives to develop innovation ecosystems and promote technological solutions.

The ministers also explored opportunities in nuclear energy, pharmaceuticals, higher education and healthcare as emerging areas of partnership.

Kosherbayev highlighted President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s initiative to establish an International Water Organization within the United Nations system to strengthen global cooperation on sustainable water resource management.

The discussions also covered regional and international issues, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthening peace and stability in Central Asia and the South Caucasus, and to continuing constructive cooperation within international organizations.



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Armenia: Mother See Condemns Ruling Party Program On Church

Garnik Zakarian
EurasiaReview
April 10 2026
 April 10, 2026  0 Comments

By PanARMENIAN

The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin has strongly condemned the inclusion of what it described as “objectionable provisions concerning the Armenian Apostolic Church” in the pre-election program of the Civil Contract party.

“The inclusion in the party’s electoral program of an imposed agenda on church reform, revision of its charter, the removal of the Catholicos of All Armenians, and the holding of new catholicos elections constitutes a clear violation of constitutional order, the Church’s right to self-governance, as well as fundamental international principles of freedom of conscience and religion.

Through promises to continue evidently unlawful actions against the Church, the ruling political force once again demonstrates the full anti-church essence and objective of its ideology.

The millennia-old mission of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, its sacred traditions, and spiritual life must not become objects of political manipulation. As the Mother See has repeatedly affirmed, the election of the Catholicos and any reforms within the Church domain belong exclusively to the spiritual-canonical sphere and therefore fall outside the jurisdiction of political parties and state authorities.

The adopted unlawful course of action is harmful to the nation and absolutely unacceptable. It contradicts the interests of our worldwide nation, endangers the foundations of national values, and undermines spiritual security,” the statement said.

Earlier, the Civil Contract party’s election program published on April 4 included provisions on church reform and the removal of the Catholicos.

On February 14, Armenia’s Prosecutor’s Office initiated criminal proceedings against Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, imposing a travel ban.

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Armenian Church condemns ruling party programme envisioning removal of Catholi

Karapet Navasardian
OC Media
April 10 2026

The Armenian Apostolic Church has said it ‘strongly condemns’ the ruling Civil Contract party’s election programme, which includes support for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s Church reform agenda aimed at toppling Catholicos Karekin II.

They called the provisions concerning the Church ‘unacceptable’.

Civil Contract published its election programme earlier in April, ahead of the country’s 7 June parliamentary elections.

The programme outlines support for Pashinyan’s proposed Church reform, which includes a four-step ‘roadmap’. The first step envisions the removal of Catholicos Karekin II, followed by the election of a Catholicos Locum Tenens.

The third step proposes the adoption of a statute for the Church to elect a new leader, among other issues, and the final step would be the election of a new Catholicos.

These steps echoed the Church reform agenda initiated by Pashinyan in January, along with 10 senior clergy members, which raised widespread concern that the move may have violated the constitution.

Armenia is a secular state, and its constitution draws clear boundaries between the state and religious institutions. In particular, Article 17 states that ‘the freedom of activities of religious organisations shall be guaranteed’ in the country.

The constitution further limits the actions of state officials, stating that they ‘shall be entitled to perform only such actions for which they are authorised under the constitution or laws’.

Explainer | How Pashinyan is working to topple Catholicos Karekin II

The move came amidst tense relations between the Church and Pashinyan’s government since May 2025, after Pashinyan criticised Church leadership for failing to properly maintain churches across the country. As accusations against the Church, and specifically against Karekin II, continued to grow, Pashinyan gradually made clear that he was seeking to oust the Catholicos.

Citing the provisions of the programme, the Church accused the authorities on Thursday of overstepping their powers, stating that such actions ‘constitutes a clear violation of the constitutional order, an encroachment on the Church’s right to self-governance, and a breach of fundamental international principles of freedom of conscience and religion’.

‘Pre-election promises to continue manifestly illegal actions against the Church once again demonstrate the full anti-Church character and objectives of the ruling political force’s ideology’, the statement read.

The Church emphasised that the election of the Catholicos and any changes in Church life fall under the Church’s own authority and lie ‘beyond the competence of political parties and state authorities’.

The Church warned that such actions ‘undermine spiritual security’.

However, Civil Contract has also invoked ‘spiritual security’ as a justification for supporting the reform agenda.

The party’s programme, echoing previous statements by Pashinyan, claims that the activities of the Church’s leadership in ‘recent decades’ have led to the alienation of ‘the community of believers’.

‘This constitutes, among other things, a matter of spiritual security, as it has created an opportunity for external forces to attempt to turn the […] Church into a base for hybrid actions against the independence and sovereignty of the Republic of Armenia’, the justification of the move read.

At the same time, the party said it ‘respects’ freedom of religion and ‘reaffirms’ that Armenia is a secular state ‘where, according to the Constitution, religious organisations are separate from the state’.

They instead claimed that the Church reform agenda ‘serves the full restoration of the constitutional order of […] Armenia by removing the Church from politics’.

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Kazakhstan and Armenia sign final protocol of consular consultations

Karagyozian Lena
KazInform, Kazakhstan
April 10 2026
09:13, 10 April 2026

On April 9, Kazakhstan and Armenia held consular consultations under the 2026–2027 action program between the Foreign Ministries, Qazinform News Agency cites the Kazakh MFA.

The Kazakh delegation was led by director of the consular service department Azamat Aubekov and the Armenian side was represented by head of the consular department Artur Petrosyan.

Officials from relevant agencies also attended the consultations.

Those present reviewed the current consular agenda, implementation of agreements on travel and stay procedures for citizens and cooperation in migration issues, building on accords signed in April 2024.

Following the meeting, the final protocol of consultations was signed, formalizing agreements were reached, and priority areas for further interagency cooperation were outlined.

Both sides reaffirmed their readiness to strengthen their partnership in the interests of their citizens and business communities.

As written before, dDuring an official visit to Armenia, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Yermek Kosherbayev met on Thursday with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

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Iran Reaffirms Support for Armenia’s Territorial Integrity, Signals Deeper Ec

Boris Nahapetian
Caucasus Watch, Germany
April 10 2026
10 Apr 2026 | News, Politics, Armenia

Iran has reaffirmed its strong backing for Armenia’s territorial integrity while signaling interest in expanding economic cooperation.

Ambassador Khalil Shirgholami described Armenia’s sovereignty as of “vital and decisive importance” to Tehran during remarks at Yerevan State University.

He emphasized that regional stability should be driven primarily by local actors. “We support integration processes in the region,” he said, adding that “the driving forces for integration, development, and peace should be the countries of the region themselves.”

While acknowledging the role of external stakeholders, he cautioned against outside involvement driven by military or geopolitical interests.

On economic ties, Shirgholami said bilateral trade remains stable despite regional tensions. “Trade continues, the border is open, and vehicles – including buses and trucks – are passing through,” he noted.

He pointed to upcoming infrastructure projects — including a second bridge over the Araks River and potential new transit routes — as key drivers of future trade growth.

The ambassador also thanked Armenia for humanitarian assistance. “This is a very important symbolic gesture to Iran as a friendly country, and we are truly grateful for it. Regardless of the amount and type of assistance – be it medicine, food, or other assistance, this symbolic gesture is very important. We appreciate it,” he said.

https://caucasuswatch.de/en/news/iran-reaffirms-support-for-armenias-territorial-integrity-signals-deeper-economic-ties.html

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Armenian History Month kickoff features heartfelt words, historical perspectiv

Kanayan Tamar
USC Today
April 10 2026

The third annual event in Hahn Central Plaza honored legacy of survival and resilience.

April 10, 2026By USC News staff

USC’s third annual Armenian History Month opening ceremony brought lively dancing, music and heartfelt words to Hahn Central Plaza on the University Park Campus on Tuesday.

The ceremony, attended by students, faculty and staff, was presented by the USC Armenian Student Association and the Institute of Armenian Studies at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.

Both organizations are dedicated to honoring Armenian excellence, culture, history and contributions to the USC community and beyond. They have partnered for a monthlong celebration that offers opportunities to learn about Armenian history and culture while fostering inclusion and dialogue across campus.

Los Angeles County is home to more than 200,000 Armenians. When the county’s Board of Supervisors declared April to be Armenian History Month in 2022, students and the institute began a grassroots effort to mark the occasion at USC.

https://today.usc.edu/armenian-history-month-kickoff-features-heartfelt-words-historical-perspective-and-traditional-dances/

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Armenpress: Both U.S. and Iran claim victory after two-week ceasefire deal rea

Toneyan Mark
Read the article in: EspañolفارسیFrançaisՀայերենRussianTürkçe

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he had agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran, less than two hours before his deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face widespread attacks on its civilian infrastructure.

Oil dived, bonds rallied and stocks surged as the ceasefire was seen as paving the way for a lasting peace and resumption of Gulf oil and gas exports, Reuters reported.

Iran says it has achieved a “great victory” and forced the United States to accept in principle its 10-point plan, according to a statement from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council reported by Iranian state media.

The council also said the US has recognized its continued control over the Strait of Hormuz. The council said controlled passage through the waterway would be carried out “in coordination with Iran’s armed forces,” according to the statement reported by state media.

Iranian officials have released multiple statements following the breakthrough announcement of a two-week ceasefire with the United States. An English version of the statement was obtained by CNN from Iranian officials and versions of the statement were reported on by multiple Iranian state media outlets.

The Trump administration is preparing for potential in-person negotiations between US and Iranian officials in the coming days, as the two sides work towards a long-term deal to end the war between Washington and Tehran, CNN reported citing officials.

President Donald Trump said he’d agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran on the condition that Iran agree to reopen the critical Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said safe passage through Strait of Hormuz will be possible for a period of two weeks via coordination with Iran’s armed forces.

The US president has shared a post on TruthSocial saying that the US “will be helping with the traffic buildup in the Strait of Hormuz”.

“We’ll be loading up with supplies of all kinds, and just “hangin’ around” to make sure that everything goes well, Trump said, adding that “this could be the Golden Age of the Middle East!!!”

Trump did not provide further details about what the US role would entail, but said that “big money will be made” and “Iran can start the reconstruction process”.

The AP news agency reported earlier that under the ceasefire deal, Iran will collect fees from ships transiting through the Strait of Hormuz to fund reconstruction.

“Based on conversations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, of Pakistan, and wherein they requested that I hold off the destructive force being sent tonight to Iran, and subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz, I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks. This will be a double sided CEASEFIRE! The reason for doing so is that we have already met and exceeded all Military objectives, and are very far along with a definitive Agreement concerning Longterm PEACE with Iran, and PEACE in the Middle East. We received a 10 point proposal from Iran, and believe it is a workable basis on which to negotiate. Almost all of the various points of past contention have been agreed to between the United States and Iran, but a two week period will allow the Agreement to be finalized and consummated. On behalf of the United States of America, as President, and also representing the Countries of the Middle East, it is an Honor to have this Longterm problem close to resolution,” Trump said on Truth Social.

Published by Armenpress, original at 
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Netanyahu says U.S.-Iran ceasefire ‘does not include Lebanon’

Karakhanian Suren
Read the article in: ArmenianRussian:

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has expressed support for the United States’ decision to suspend strikes on Iran, but said the two-week truce will not extend to Israel’s ongoing military operations in Lebanon.

In a statement on X on Wednesday, Netanyahu said Israel backed US President Donald Trump’s efforts to ensure “Iran no longer poses a nuclear, missile and terror threat to America, Israel, Iran’s Arab neighbors and the world”.

But the two-week ceasefire “does not include Lebanon”, he said.

Netanyahu’s statement comes after Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that the US, Iran and their allies “have agreed to an immediate ceasefire everywhere, including Lebanon and elsewhere,” according to Al Jazeera.

Sharif said the move was “effective immediately”.

Lebanon was drawn into the U.S. and Israel’s war on Iran on March 2 after Tehran-aligned Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel.

Published by Armenpress, original at 
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