Category: News

Armenian National Assembly Speaker Ruben Rubinyan met French National Assembly President Yaël Braun-Pivet in Rome on 15 October, on the sidelines of the Council of Europe’s European Conference of Presidents of Parliament.

The Armenian National Assembly’s Public Relations and Communication Department reported the meeting in a statement.

“The meeting addressed the high level of friendly relations between Armenia and France, prospects for deepening them further, and regional issues. Both sides stressed the importance of strengthening interparliamentary ties and the role of parliamentary diplomacy in deepening bilateral relations, highlighting the continued development of cooperation and reciprocal visits between the two countries’ parliaments,” the statement said.

Armenian National Assembly Speaker Ruben Rubinyan met Lithuanian Seimas Speaker Juozas Olekas in Rome on 15 October, where he is attending the Council of Europe’s European Conference of Presidents of Parliament.

The Armenian National Assembly’s Public Relations and Communication Department reported the meeting in a statement.

“The meeting included an exchange of views on the bilateral agenda between Armenia and Lithuania and opportunities to expand cooperation. The importance of intensifying cooperation between the two countries’ parliaments and using the potential of parliamentary diplomacy to further develop bilateral ties was highlighted. Armenia–EU relations and regional developments were also discussed,” the statement said.

Mark Cutifani, one of the most influential figures in global business and the mining industry, is a keynote speaker at the 3rd Mining Armenia Forum. This offers an important opportunity to explore Armenia’s mining development prospects, investment opportunities, and role in the global market through the lens of international experience. 

Mark Cutifani has spent decades shaping the sector through periods of significant transformation, technological advancement, and evolving expectations around sustainability and responsible resource development. Throughout his long career, he has witnessed major changes in the industry, from technological advancements to growing expectations around environmental and social responsibility. In recognition of his contribution to the global mining industry, Mark Cutifani was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for his “contribution to Global Mining Investment” and was named in the UK’s 2024 King’s New Year Honours List.

In this interview, we discuss the forces that will shape the mining industry over the next decade, the factors that determine a country’s competitiveness in the sector, and the opportunities Armenia can leverage to strengthen its position in the global market.

–You are widely regarded as one of the defining leaders of modern mining – someone who has helped shape the industry through decades of transformation. From that vantage point, what do you see as the most important forces reshaping mining today, and which of them will define the industry over the next decade?

I think the key issues that will shape our industry are and will be society’s perception of our contribution to quality of life. The better we articulate our message, the more support we will get for new mineral developments. Increasing mining depths will force us to think differently about how we mine. In that context, and in other ways, innovation will become an imperative, not simply an opportunity to do better.

Our focus on reconciling mining and nature, in the context of how we impact local communities and broader regional economies, will become a material competitive advantage. If I connect this point to my first point, helping people understand why we are so important is not simply about the products we produce; it is also about how we help reduce our global human footprint. Industry consolidation will be driven by capital demands and the need to create more competitive investment vehicles for long-term investors.

You have led some of the world’s largest mining companies and have seen the industry evolve over several decades. What, in your view, distinguishes a genuinely competitive and future-ready mining jurisdiction today – beyond simply having strong geological potential?

I think it requires a range of connecting points, including a policy approach and consistency in its application. It is also important to encourage companies to work with and engage local communities, even to the point where government authorities can help facilitate those interactions.

Collaborative regional development is another key factor, where companies and governments work together on common infrastructure solutions. These solutions must work for mining and other commercial interests while also serving communities. The alignment of interests is key, and that is where governments can play a constructive facilitating role.

Armenia is a relatively small mining jurisdiction, but it has a long mining history, significant copper and molybdenum resources, and sits in a region that is becoming increasingly important in terms of trade routes and supply chains. Where do you see Armenia’s strongest opportunity to position itself in the global mining landscape?

I think a great starting point is the consolidation of Armenia’s geological database, helping companies and individuals start with a geological framework. African countries are starting to understand the importance of providing potential investors with a starting point based on information that is available. Setting up processes for candidates to bid or express interest in blocks goes with that process.

The focus on copper and molybdenum is a great place to start, but Armenia should not limit itself in terms of what may be possible. If there is one thing we do know, it is that as materials science develops, new applications for metals and minerals can change economic conversations very quickly. Armenia should encourage innovation and different thinking, remaining open to new ideas and new players.

For countries such as Armenia, attracting serious long-term mining investment requires not only resources, but also regulatory predictability, technical credibility, public trust, and strong environmental performance. Which of these factors do you think Armenia should prioritize if it wants to attract higher-quality investment?

Any credible and material mining push requires access to land, supported by a strong set of standards and approaches that bind industry players to a set of minimum safety, environmental, and social standards. You need to attract serious players, and they must be confident in your laws and property rights.

The “technical flow” will follow, based on land rights, geology, and financial potential assessments. Integrated infrastructure, or support for its development, will also be key, as I indicated earlier. Developing basic mining infrastructure is essential, including supporting and building on existing infrastructure.

Social infrastructure, including healthcare and education, is also part of that development. Downstream developments can only follow once you have established competitive energy costs, critical labour skills and other associated capabilities.

You have spoken at many of the world’s major mining events. What made you accept the invitation to come to Armenia and participate in the Mining Armenia Forum, and what are you most interested in understanding or discussing while you are here?

I always start with people. The enthusiasm of people representing Armenia has struck me. My experience over many years is that when you meet people who are so committed to making something happen, that is always a great starting point.

Of course, geology and potential are important. The country’s long history in mining and its potential for copper, molybdenum, and gold are also indicators of other mineral potential. The efforts to open the economy and listen to new ideas represent another great step and an indicator of opportunity.

The great history of innovation and change, makes me think that investment in mining would be well served by people who understand the concept of “possibility.” It seems to me that Armenia is a land of great history, and even greater “possibility.”

Mining Armenia Forum 2026 is organized by the Mining Forum Development Foundation and the Mining and Metallurgical Industry Association of Armenia. The third edition of the Forum is strategically sponsored by Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine and Lydian Armenia, with Ameriabank and Teghout CJSC serving as its main sponsors. This year, the Forum will bring together around 50 international and local speakers, including government representatives, investors, sustainable development experts, and technology leaders. 

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that signing and ratifying the initialed peace agreement with Azerbaijan is one of his most important upcoming tasks and that he has set himself the goal of achieving this during the tenure of the current government, by 2031.

The Pashinyan administration’s 2026–2031 program focuses on strengthening and further institutionalizing the established peace between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as achieving the signing and ratification of the peace agreement.

Pashinyan, speaking at the Cabinet meeting, emphasized that the peace agreement is a priority on his work agenda.

The prime minister noted that this goal does not mean abandoning other agendas.

“But I have also set this task for myself, with a specific timeline: to achieve its resolution by 2031. Naturally, this is also a task for the government and, more broadly, for our political team. But, as Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, I also consider it very important on my personal agenda that we resolve this issue by 2031,” Pashinyan said.

Pashinyan added that this priority was not based on a newly formed perception. He also said that he believes achieving the goal is possible.

“Of course, it is not as though this perception has only just emerged, but I also want to say that I see that this is possible. Otherwise, I would not be raising this issue in this and other formats,” he said.

Pashinyan stressed that the government must focus on this agenda while ensuring that other strategic programs are not relegated to the background. In this context, he mentioned the TRIPP project, the opening of transport links, economic development, as well as the agendas that emerged during the revolution.

The signing and ratification of the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan will bring a significant chapter in the history of Armenia and the Armenian people as a whole to a close and open a new one, with new directions and a new logic, Pashinyan said.

Pashinyan again stressed that, among the most important items on the agenda, the signing and ratification of the peace agreement is the most important for him.

Armenia and Azerbaijan initialed the peace agreement in Washington in August 2025.

The exchange of the existing enclaves and exclaves between Armenia and Azerbaijan is one of the options being discussed in the negotiation process, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said.

“There are several options for resolving the issue of enclaves and exclaves,” Pashinyan said at a press briefing.

“The idea is to find a solution under which there would be no enclaves or exclaves on either side of the border. This is one of the scenarios under discussion. I sense that there is a growing understanding in Armenia and Azerbaijan that such a solution needs to be found, because we all understand that the alternative would create numerous problems, especially for residents of those villages, including questions about how they would cross the border,” Pashinyan said.

The prime minister noted that it is necessary to determine how such a solution would be formulated from a technical and legal standpoint, including whether a referendum would be required.

“First, border delimitation must take place, and the territories must be precisely identified. We need to know what area Artsvashen encompasses in order to find the right solution,” he said.

Pashinyan added that he believes Armenia and Azerbaijan have entered the final stage of institutionalizing peace and that it is important for the process to be completed by 2031.

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the reconciliation process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, noting that rapprochement between the two countries after decades of conflict creates new prospects for developing ties between East and West.

Tokayev made the remarks during the plenary session of the seventh summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), held in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The Kazakh president proposed jointly developing a transport connectivity strategy within the organization.

He said that the region, located at the crossroads of Eurasian transport routes, has significant opportunities for infrastructure development. In Tokayev’s assessment, common transport corridors are among the effective tools for building long-term trust between states, while highways, railways and ports connect not only economies but also peoples.

The proposed strategy would make it possible to explore the potential of the region’s key international transport routes. Tokayev named the Belt and Road Initiative, the North–South International Transport Corridor, the Middle Corridor and the TRIPP initiative among them.

According to the Kazakh president, political will and economic potential enable the organization to support the implementation of major transnational projects.

On October 14, the second meeting of the Joint Committee on the implementation of the free trade agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and Iran was held in Tehran, co-chaired by Andrey Slepnev, Minister in charge of Trade of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC), and Mohammad Atabak, Iran’s Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade.

According to the Eurasian Economic Commission, the meeting focused on moving beyond the liberalization of customs duties, which have been successfully reduced, toward removing tariff barriers and providing practical support to businesses.

“Our focus today should shift from the liberalization of customs duties, which we have successfully reduced, to removing tariff barriers and providing real support to businesses. This is precisely what our producers and exporters expect from us,” Slepnev said, according to an EEC statement.

The parties discussed market access for automotive, medical and pharmaceutical products, as well as ongoing work on requirements for halal products.

The parties agreed to develop a plan of measures to remove restrictions on market access for finished consumer goods.

Particular attention was also paid to simplifying trade procedures. The EAEU and Iran will accelerate work on establishing an electronic system for verifying the origin of goods and agreeing on a protocol for the electronic exchange of customs information.

In addition, discussions in the transport sector addressed reducing carriers’ costs, simplifying procedures at border crossing points, and digitizing shipments along the North–South International Transport Corridor.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held a meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres in Yerevan.

Guterres arrived in Armenia to participate in the Leaders’ Summit to be held in Yerevan as part of the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

Pashinyan welcomed the visit to Armenia by the delegation led by António Guterres and noted that Guterres was the second UN Secretary-General ever to visit Armenia.

According to a readout from the Prime Minister’s Office, Pashinyan emphasized the importance of cooperation over the past eight years, noting that much had happened in the region and the world during that period. He recalled that the role of the UN had been at the center of all kinds of discussions, with the importance of multilateralism constantly being discussed on the international stage.

“It seems that many international players very much want to see this multilateralism, fully understanding the role of the UN. Unfortunately, however, we see unilateralism in many places, and the situation in the world is becoming increasingly complicated. But fortunately, in our region, after going through very difficult events, we have been able to change the situation, and now our main goal is to reach the finish line. I mean the signing and ratification of the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. This is our main goal, and we must focus on it because achieving it is not easy. On the other hand, we must remain as focused as possible on this goal,” Pashinyan said.

Referring to COP17, the Prime Minister said it was the largest event ever organized in the Republic of Armenia and expressed confidence that it would be held at a high level.

In turn, UN Secretary-General António Guterres thanked Armenia for its warm hospitality and for the ‘fantastic preparations’ for COP17.

He congratulated Armenia and emphasized that the conference has been organized “extremely well.”

“I would like to congratulate Armenia because this conference has been organized extremely well. My colleagues tell me that always in the difficult negotiations, to come to a statement or agreement, Armenia has shown an extraordinary diplomatic capacity, making some miracles in bringing together different opinions and different perspectives, which is normal, in all COPs, in all the areas, biodiversity, climate and desertification. And indeed, the quality of the Armenian leadership and diplomacy is remarkable. My sincere congratulations,” he said. 

Guterres also emphasized the importance of establishing peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, highlighting Prime Minister Pashinyan’s personal contribution to that effort.

During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on the organization of COP17 and the discussions to be held. They also discussed regional developments, including the progress of the TRIPP project. Both sides emphasized the importance of the project in unblocking regional transport links and promoting cooperation.