Category: News

Visa liberalisation remains one of the Armenian government’s priorities, and every effort is being made under the coordination of the Interior Ministry to ensure that all measures envisaged in this direction are implemented on time and to the required standard.

Armenian Interior Minister Arpine Sargsyan made the remarks at the launch event of the programme “Support to the Dialogue on Visa Liberalisation in Armenia in the Areas of Border Management, Document Security and Law Enforcement Reforms”.

“I am pleased to state that today we are launching a programme that is the first of its kind in the Republic of Armenia, with visa liberalisation as its primary focus,” the minister said, thanking European Union partners for providing financial support for the initiative and helping bring it to life.

Sargsyan also thanked partners from Lithuania, noting that a close partnership had been established and that the programme’s implementation would continue through joint practical cooperation.

“From the ministry’s perspective, cooperation with EU member states is particularly important. It is essential that we continue not only our dialogue with the EU, but also develop close and constructive partnerships with member states, because ultimately they are also involved in making decisions regarding visa liberalisation.

 I am pleased that the Republic of Lithuania is now entering a second phase of cooperation with Armenia’s Interior Ministry, and I am especially pleased that the programme’s main focus today is visa liberalisation,” she said.

The minister expressed confidence that the launch of the programme provides further evidence that Armenia and the European Union remain committed to deepening their relations.

Sargsyan noted that the programme has a total budget of 2.5 million euros, representing another EU contribution to the implementation of sectoral reforms in Armenia. 

EU Ambassador to Armenia Vassilis Maragos began his remarks by expressing appreciation for the work carried out by the staff of the Interior Ministry under Sargsyan’s leadership. According to Maragos, Lithuania and Latvia will provide Armenia with support in implementing specific reforms.

“In my view, the purpose of this programme is clear: it is important that the European Union not only discusses with Armenia what needs to be done, but also provides assistance, resources and exchanges of experience so that this action plan can be implemented more smoothly,” he said, stressing the importance of the quality of the measures being carried out and compliance with the relevant benchmarks.

The EU ambassador noted that Armenia has already undertaken substantial work in the areas of integrated border management and the introduction of a biometric system. However, he said, additional exchanges of expertise with the European Union, particularly Lithuania, which has successfully completed a similar process, remain highly important.

Lithuanian Deputy Interior Minister Gintaras Aliksandravičius said it was a great honour to attend the launch of a programme aimed at supporting Armenia’s reform process related to visa liberalisation with the European Union. 

“We are committed to sharing our experience and providing practical support to ensure that this programme delivers meaningful and lasting results,” he said.

 He expressed confidence that the programme’s launch would provide an important foundation for a long-term process, and that coordination and determination would help achieve the shared objectives that have been set.

As part of the campaign for Armenia’s parliamentary elections scheduled for June 7, New Power party prime ministerial candidate Hayk Marutyan toured Yerevan’s Ajapnyak district on June 1.

During the visit, he met residents, distributed campaign leaflets and urged them to take part in the elections and vote for ballot number 5.

Many residents thanked Marutyan for his work and said they would like to see him elected. Marutyan, in turn, reminded them that every vote would be important in achieving that goal.

The New Power party’s candidate for prime minister is former Yerevan mayor Hayk Marutyan.

 The party’s election programme is built around seven key priorities:

1. European integration as a priority for development and foreign policy.

2. A ban on online casinos and gambling.

3. A significant increase in benefits for large families, including a 5 million dram payment for a third child and each subsequent child.

4. Expanding social housing construction and modernising the housing stock.

5. Tax relief measures, including reducing the turnover tax rate to 5% from the current 10% and raising the maximum turnover tax threshold to 200 million drams.

6. Abolishing the statute of limitations for corruption-related crimes.

7. Ensuring free higher education.

The election campaign for Armenia’s parliamentary elections began on May 8 and will continue until June 5. A total of 19 political forces — including two alliances and 17 parties — have registered to participate in the vote.

Most Armenian businesses engaged in fish farming have been banned from exporting fish and fishery products to Russia.

In a press release, the state consumer watchdog Rospotrebnadzor said that inspections were carried out at fish processing enterprises in Armenia from May 21–27, 2026, and that officials also visited trout breeding and holding farms. According to the statement, 50% of the enterprises refused to allow inspections.

Based on the results of the inspections, starting June 2, 2026, the Armenian side must suspend veterinary certification for live fish and fish and fishery products destined for Russian importers from all companies until the situation is resolved. Two Armenian companies that successfully passed the inspection are exempt from this restriction.

“Only fish products from the two companies that passed the inspection will be allowed for import into Russia,” Rospotrebnadzor said, adding that these products will still be subject to laboratory monitoring of safety indicators.

Russia has previously banned imports of Jermuk mineral water from Armenia, as well as certain flowers and alcoholic beverages. In addition, imports of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and strawberries from Armenia have been restricted.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Monday visited Northern Avenue in downtown Yerevan to extend greetings to children and parents attending International Children’s Day celebrations.

Pashinyan, currently on leave and campaigning for his Civil Contract party, spoke with children and their parents, took photos, and presented lapel pins featuring a map of Armenia.

Various events marking International Children’s Day are taking place in central Yerevan, particularly near Swan Lake and Northern Avenue.

Press release by Vardanyan Family Charity Foundation

On the occasion of June 1, International children’s rights protection day, the pediatric department of the Yolyan Hematology and Oncology Center has been equipped with the modern medical equipment and essential devices.

The use of the advanced technologies will make it possible to detect various types of cancer in children at earlier stages and provide more effective treatment.

The equipment will make it possible to conduct many examinations and researches in Armenia.

For the purchase of the latest generation medical equipment benefactor Mikael Vardanyan donated 127 million drams.

Azatutyun Multifunctional Complex press release 

On May 27, Azatutyun Multifunctional Complex and Consel, the official representative of Mitsubishi Electric in Armenia, signed a memorandum of cooperation under which Mitsubishi Electric engineering systems will be integrated into the complex.

The Azatutyun premium multifunctional complex continues to expand its international partnerships as part of its strategy to create a high-standard residential environment in Yerevan.

Mitsubishi Electric is one of the global leaders in climate-control systems and is internationally recognized as a symbol of engineering excellence, innovation, and reliability. The brand’s solutions are implemented in premium residential and multifunctional developments across the world, where comfort, sustainability, and long-term efficiency are considered essential standards.

Guided by these same principles, Azatutyun selected Mitsubishi Electric as its engineering systems partner. Consel, the official representative of the brand in Armenia, is one of the country’s most experienced engineering companies, with nearly 25 years of expertise in the design, supply, and implementation of advanced engineering solutions, ensuring reliable and internationally compliant operation standards.

The memorandum marking the partnership was signed by David Atanessian, Founder and CEO of Azatutyun Multifunctional Complex, and Arman Papazyan, Founder and CEO of Consel.

“When creating the Azatutyun complex, we had a very clear objective: to establish a new benchmark for quality, architecture, and contemporary urban living in Armenia. From the very beginning, it was important for us that this would not become just another development project, but rather a project distinguished by both its quality and philosophy. That is why we approached the selection of every partner with great responsibility. Today, we are pleased to officially welcome Mitsubishi Electric and its official Armenian representative, Consel, among our partners,” noted David Atanessian.

According to Arman Papazyan, this partnership once again reflects the shared vision of Azatutyun and Consel to unite international expertise, contemporary architecture, and advanced technologies within one integrated environment.

“We are proud to take part in the realization of this important project. The choice of Mitsubishi Electric for the Azatutyun complex fully aligns with the project’s overall concept of creating a modern, intelligent, and long-term value-driven environment. At the same time, Consel’s years of experience and engineering capabilities allow these technological solutions to be implemented with precision, a systematic approach, and in accordance with international engineering standards,” stated Arman Papazyan during the event.

The event brought together representatives of the diplomatic corps, partners, investors, and leading industry professionals to mark a collaboration aimed at setting a new benchmark for premium residential development and engineering solutions in Armenia.

During the evening, guests were introduced to the Azatutyun premium multifunctional complex, including its residential, commercial, and leisure spaces, contemporary architectural solutions, and high-standard infrastructure. The project is being developed on Azatutyun Avenue, one of Yerevan’s most important urban arteries, where the city begins and continues.

The evening featured live performances by Midnight Avenue Jazz Band and a signature cocktail created especially for the occasion, creating a warm and distinctive atmosphere for guests.