Category: News

Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ararat Mirzoyan spoke by phone with his Omani counterpart, Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud Al Busaidi.

According to the Foreign Ministry’s readout, the FMs discussed regional developments.

Mirzoyan inquired about the situation in the Middle East following the events of recent days, expressing hope that the issues could be resolved through diplomatic means.

Mirzoyan briefed his Omani counterpart on the steps being taken to consistently consolidate the established peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The ministers discussed issues on multilateral platforms aimed at promoting regional cooperation.

Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ararat Mirzoyan held a telephone conversation with Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates, Badr Abdelatty, on 12 October, according to a statement from the Armenian ministry.

The ministers exchanged views on developments in the Middle East and the South Caucasus.

Mirzoyan outlined the work under way to institutionalise the peace established between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Egypt’s support for the peace agenda was highlighted.

Addressing issues in multilateral forums, Mirzoyan said the dynamics and substance of the matters under discussion should align with and support efforts to strengthen peace.

Mirzoyan and Abdelatty discussed opportunities to develop Armenia–Egypt bilateral relations, including through expanding trade, economic and business ties and implementing specific projects in tourism, information technology and healthcare.

Davit Karapetyan, Secretary-General of Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, met Martin Briens, Secretary-General of France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, on the sidelines of the Warsaw Security Forum, according to a statement from the Armenian ministry.

The two officials discussed deepening cooperation between the Armenian and French foreign ministries.

In the context of the Armenian ministry’s expanded remit, they highlighted the importance of exchanging experience in international trade, including export promotion, attracting investment and developing business ties.

The secretaries-general also emphasised cooperation in diplomatic education and training, discussing opportunities for exchanges of experience between the two countries’ diplomats and the implementation of joint programmes.

Ignazio Cassis will visit Armenia and Georgia from 14 to 16 October 2026 in his capacity as head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and chairman-in-office of the OSCE.

The situation in the South Caucasus, the role of the OSCE and bilateral relations will be at the heart of the discussions, the FDFA said in a press release.

On 15 October in Yerevan, Cassis will meet with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan. Discussions there will focus on the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, regional cooperation and the role of the OSCE, which is chaired by Switzerland this year.

“Switzerland supports the peace process and stands ready to make its expertise available to both parties, should they so wish,” the FDFA said.

A high-level meeting on the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route was recently held in Beijing at the initiative of China’s Ministry of Transport, with the participation of an Armenian delegation. During the meeting, an agreement was signed between the two countries under which Armenia and China will facilitate freight transportation.

In an interview with Armenpress, Kristine Ghalechyan, a member of the delegation and Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of the Republic of Armenia, said that the meetings had been quite productive and stood out for their concrete results.

“First, I would like to note that the meeting addressed issues aimed at increasing the efficiency of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route and expanding freight volumes. The key priorities were infrastructure development, simplification of border and customs procedures, and digitalization. In particular, I would like to emphasize the agreement on international road transportation of passengers and goods between Armenia and China, which was signed during this very meeting,” Kristine Ghalechyan said.

Speaking about the importance of the agreement, the deputy minister noted that it would make it possible to facilitate freight transportation between Armenia and China in both directions.

“Freight transportation between the two countries is already taking place. Under the new agreement, freight carriers will now obtain the relevant permits through a specially introduced system, which will be recognized by both countries and will make it possible to carry out freight transportation under more streamlined procedures. The permits will be issued at two levels: for general freight transportation and for special cargo,” Kristine Ghalechyan said, emphasizing that companies will not be able to transport goods within Armenia or China, as the agreement concerns exclusively international and transit transportation.

The deputy minister also considers it important that, under the agreement, carriers will be exempt from a number of road taxes and fees. In particular, the agreement provides for transportation on a reciprocal basis that will be exempt from taxes or fees established for the use of public roads, as well as special charges and duties stipulated by the national legislation of the respective party.

“One important reservation must be made here. This exemption will not apply to taxes, duties and fees levied under the legislation of each party to compensate for damage caused on roads by vehicles. This is the exception,” the deputy minister said.

Kristine Ghalechyan emphasized that the agreement would help enhance Armenia’s transit and logistics role, expand trade turnover between Armenia and China, and deepen strategic cooperation.

Transportation permits will be issued by the competent authorities of the respective countries. In Armenia, the competent authority is the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of the Republic of Armenia; in China, it is the Ministry of Transport. The agreement provides for the possibility of organizing both regular and non-regular international passenger bus transportation, along agreed routes and through agreed border crossing points.

Armenia’s football championship is now in full swing, and teams are seeking to improve their positions in the standings with every match. Pyunik, Armenia’s most decorated club, made a coaching change at the start of the season and is now coached by Dmitry Gunko, who is familiar with the Armenian Premier League.

In an interview with Armenpress, the coach spoke about his vision for the team, the club’s potential, and his plans for its development.

Armenpress: What is your main goal during your first months at Pyunik? What changes would you like to see in the team?

Dmitry Gunko: Naturally, the main goal is to get to know the team’s capabilities more closely and adapt our methods to the team’s current functional condition so that we do not harm the team and can gradually introduce the ideas we have.

Armenpress: How important do you consider the involvement of young footballers in the first team, and are there any academy players who have already caught your attention?

Dmitry Gunko: We recently watched Pyunik’s second team play against Shirak, and we already have an idea of which players from the reserve squad could join the first team in the near future. Naturally, we will devote time to young players. I believe Pyunik’s academy should train footballers, and our task is to develop them and bring them up to the first-team level.

Armenpress: What would you like to change in Pyunik’s play that fans could notice from the very first matches?

Dmitry Gunko: We want to play balanced football aimed at achieving results.

Armenpress: How much time do you need for the team to start playing the kind of football you envision?

Dmitry Gunko: We hope it will not take much time.

Armenpress: Which opponent in the Armenian championship do you single out the most, and why?

Dmitry Gunko: It is not me who singles out an opponent in this regard, but the competitions themselves and the league tables.

Armenpress: In your opinion, does Pyunik currently have the squad needed to succeed in European competitions, or are major reinforcements necessary?

Dmitry Gunko: I do not think it is right to raise this question. I work under the conditions we have at the moment and with the players who are in the team. The transfer window is closed, the squad is complete, and our main task is to make the players and the team as a whole stronger.

Armenpress: Pyunik’s squad includes players from different footballing cultures. How do you plan to build a unified team atmosphere and playing philosophy?

Dmitry Gunko: Through training, theoretical sessions, and individual conversations, we continuously work to maintain a good and competitive atmosphere within the team. When I joined Pyunik, that was exactly what I noticed, so there is not much I need to change.

Armenpress: How much of a priority is Pyunik’s progress in European competitions compared with the Armenian championship?

Dmitry Gunko: I would not distinguish between the two competitions. In both, our idea is to win every match and move forward through the quality of our play.

Armenpress: What lessons have you learned from your previous jobs during your coaching career that will be particularly useful at Pyunik?

Dmitry Gunko: Every year and every day of training are subject to analysis. We draw conclusions from that and move forward.

Armenpress: If we meet and talk again in a year, what results should Pyunik have achieved for you to say to yourself, “Yes, we achieved our goal”?

Dmitry Gunko: Pyunik and our coaching staff always set the highest goals for themselves and do everything possible to achieve them. Then the standings and the championship put everything in its proper place. That is why we strive for the highest goals. We will meet again in a year and will certainly talk.

The Armenia Weightlifting Federation has announced the national team rosters for the 2026 IWF World Championships, which will kick off in Ningbo, China, on October 27.

The following athletes will represent Armenia at the 2026 World Championships: 70 kg – Garnik Cholakyan, 75 kg – Gor Sahakyan and Tigran Karapetyan, 85 kg – Rafik Harutyunyan and Martin Poghosyan, 95 kg – Davit Hovhannisyan, 110 kg – Garik Karapetyan, over 110 kg – Varazdat Lalayan, 57 kg – Alexandra Grigoryan, 77 kg – Anna Amroyan and Alina Sukiasyan, and 86 kg – Emma Poghosyan and Liana Gyurjyan.

The championships are the first qualifying event ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games.

Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan has formalized the dismissal of Colonel Artsvik Grigoryan as deputy commander of the Special Army Corps, pursuant to a motion by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

The decree was signed on October 7.

The reason for Grigoryan’s dismissal has not been reported.

New tobacco products pose a challenge to the healthcare system. Officials and specialists in the field emphasize that new types of tobacco products have been gaining widespread popularity in recent years, creating new challenges for efforts to combat tobacco use.

Speaking at a press conference on the occasion of National No Tobacco Day, Mariam Mnatsakanyan, head of the Public Health Division at the Ministry of Health of Armenia, said that Armenia had worked in various areas for years but is now facing new challenges.

“Armenia improved its legislation years ago, tightened smoking restrictions, increased fines and introduced advertising restrictions. These measures have certainly had an impact, but we are now seeing new types of tobacco products gaining widespread popularity as a result of various marketing campaigns. Companies are offering new packaging combined with different flavors and aromas, particularly targeting women and adolescents,” Mnatsakanyan said.

According to studies, 25.5% of the population aged 18 and older in Armenia are daily smokers. Among men, 53% smoke, compared with 2% of women.

“Rates of tobacco use among children remain high. Among 15-year-olds, 25% of boys and 4% of girls smoke. As around the world, the use of electronic cigarettes is a serious challenge in our country as well. In Armenia, children are already trying tobacco for the first time at the age of 11, while about 5% of 13-year-olds use various types of tobacco products,” Mnatsakanyan said.

Tigran Byuzandyan, head of the Thoracic Surgery and Interventional Pulmonology Department at the V. A. Fanarjian National Center of Oncology and a thoracic surgeon, spoke about the risks of tobacco use, noting that tobacco combustion produces toxic gases that enter the respiratory tract and subsequently reach other organs.

“Smoking poses a significant risk and can cause various diseases, including cardiovascular problems and cancer. Data from clinical practice show that the majority of patients diagnosed with lung cancer are smokers. Lung cancer occurs mainly among people over the age of 50, with men accounting for the majority of cases. We urge our patients to quit smoking. Studies show that in such cases, when patients receive medication following surgical treatment, survival improves by 5–10%,” Byuzandyan said.

Specialists say that efforts to combat tobacco use must be intensified alongside addressing new challenges. In addition to raising public awareness and increasing fines, broader opportunities must be created for people who want to quit smoking. People seeking help can now contact the Ministry of Health of Armenia, which will refer them to specialists. Initially, support will consist of psychological counseling, followed, if necessary, by medication prescribed with the assistance of appropriate specialists.

The Ministry of Health of Armenia has also launched the Smoke Free Armenia mobile application, which allows citizens to report cases of smoking in prohibited areas.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that Armenia’s prospects of joining the European Union depend both on the EU’s enlargement policy and on the decision of the Armenian people.

The Armenian government’s strategic goal is to create alternatives for the country and its people, Pashinyan said in an interview with RFI’s Armenian service, when asked whether Armenia’s ultimate goal is EU membership and within what timeframe it could be achieved.

The Prime Minister recalled that in 2025, a law on launching the process of Armenia’s accession to the European Union was adopted through a civic initiative.

At the same time, he stressed that a country’s desire to join is not enough; the European Union must likewise decide on its enlargement.

“Our goal is for the people of Armenia to be able to decide whether Armenia remains a member of the Eurasian Economic Union, becomes a member of the European Union, or is a member of neither the European Union nor the Eurasian Economic Union. In any case, we will reform the Republic of Armenia to bring it into line with European Union standards,” Pashinyan said.

According to him, if Armenia is fully and objectively ready for EU membership, the issue will once again depend on both sides: the European Union’s willingness to admit Armenia and the vote of the Armenian people.

Pashinyan also stressed that having a state that meets European standards would be beneficial for Armenia even if the country does not become an EU member.