Category: News

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Thursday that Armenia does not plan to withdraw from the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and, moreover, seeks to utilize its membership to advance its economic interests.

Speaking at a press briefing, he emphasized that Armenia continues its policy of diversifying export and import directions.

“We are saying that we are not only not planning to leave the Eurasian Economic Union, but we also intend to use our leverage and our engagement to protect our country’s economic interests,” the Prime Minister said.

He said that the diversification of export and import directions is not a new process, and that growth in trade turnover has already been recorded across various directions.

Pashinyan lauded the opening of the Akhalkalaki–Kars railway for Armenia’s exports.

“I am very pleased that the Akhalkalaki–Kars railway has been opened for Armenia’s exports, and in the near future business delegations will travel to explore potential markets via this railway,” he said, adding that invitations from partners have already been received.

According to the Prime Minister, the potential of the EAEU has not yet been fully utilized, particularly as Armenia’s trade and economic relations with Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan remain limited.

“With the opening of the railway, significant potential has emerged to develop trade and economic relations between Armenia and Kazakhstan, and between Armenia and Kyrgyzstan, through Azerbaijan,” Pashinyan said.

He recalled that alongside the first operation of the railway, Armenia also signed a deal for the import of grain from Kazakhstan.

“We see potential in the EAEU, and we will continue to work calmly, in a partnership spirit, to resolve all issues,” the Prime Minister said.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk earlier said that the issue of Armenia’s status in the Eurasian Economic Union will be discussed at the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council meeting scheduled for May 29 in Astana. Overchuk noted that Russia does not want Armenia to leave the EAEU but warned of possible consequences amid Armenia’s EU integration course.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that the Armenian economy is not at risk and that all outstanding issues with Russia will be resolved.

Speaking at a press briefing, Pashinyan reiterated that he has a relationship of trust with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

“I have a relationship of trust with the President of Russia and the head of the Russian government. This is not the first time that issues arise that require clarification,” Pashinyan said.

He reiterated that Armenia–Russia relations are currently in a phase of transformation.

“I have previously said that Armenia–Russia relations are in a phase of transformation. And I consider this a positive transformation,” the Armenian PM said.

Pashinyan also emphasized that similar processes have taken place in the past as well, but they were resolved in a working manner.

“We have received such letters several times over the past eight years. I am confident that this time as well we will find solutions,” he said, referring to the warning by Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilev regarding a possible revision of a gas supply deal.

According to the Prime Minister of Armenia, the country’s engagement within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) provides an opportunity to resolve issues through constructive dialogue.

“I am the only official who is a member of the EAEU Intergovernmental Council and the Supreme Council. I want you to imagine the scale of this leverage and the opportunities it provides,” Pashinyan said.

He said these opportunities will allow continued cooperation and the finding of mutually acceptable solutions.

“I believe these tools will enable us to find solutions to issues through the path of constructive dialogue,” the Prime Minister said.

Pashinyan said that Armenia’s economy faces no threat.

“Nothing threatens the economy of the Republic of Armenia. Billions in investments await the economy of the Republic of Armenia,” he stated.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said his administration has thwarted attempts by the former “Karabakh pseudo-elite” to undermine statehood and draw Armenia into renewed conflict.

He accused what he described as the “Karabakh pseudo-elite” of seeking to influence domestic politics and destabilize the country, while announcing plans to disclose lists of their lavish assets in Armenia and pursue confiscation under stolen asset recovery mechanisms.

Pashinyan also said the government plans to allocate around 800 billion drams (over $2 billion) over the next decade to support housing programs for displaced people from Karabakh in Armenia, who he said had been held hostage by the “pseudo-elites.”

Pashinyan was asked to clarify his recent controversial “Why didn’t you die?” remark.

“My remarks were addressed to the Karabakh pseudo-elite and their associated circles. They fled under the leadership of Samvel Shahramanyan, and now they have come back and are trying to drag the people of Armenia into war again,” he said, referring to the last leader of Karabakh before the Azerbaijani takeover in 2023.

“The so-called pseudo-elite of Karabakh will be uprooted from the Republic of Armenia. Today they have come and are speaking about the Karabakh issue… they must explain where they have been, what they have done other than fleeing—nothing,” he said.

“This rhetoric does not refer to those who could have died and did not, but to those who chose not to die under any circumstances. In my son’s case, his trench comrades were killed by a shell. My family was in Karabakh, and this has become the subject of much discussion. The Karabakh pseudo-elites, who have fled every time, have now returned and are trying to drag Armenia back into conflict. They have also kept the people of Karabakh hostage, with one goal—to undermine Armenia’s statehood, including through a corridor via Meghri. We have thwarted all those plans.

There was a plan, led by [ex-president] Robert Kocharyan, to hand over Meghri and Syunik, which has been published. The October 27 attack was carried out for the implementation of that plan, and I am proud that I have thwarted it,” Pashinyan said.

The October 27 terrorist attack in 1999 killed then-Prime Minister Vazgen Sargsyan and Speaker Karen Demirchyan, as well as several other high-ranking officials and legislators, during Kocharyan’s presidency.

According to Pashinyan, all representatives of the Karabakh pseudo-elite must explain why they were not on the front line and why they fled during the war.

“There is a list of all those who fled. In the near future, we will publish lists of the assets of the Karabakh pseudo-elite in the Republic of Armenia so that the picture becomes clear. Today, they are preventing our people from Karabakh from settling down. We plan to allocate 800 billion drams over the next 10 years so that these people can eventually settle, calm down, and move beyond the mentality of wanderers and migrants. However, a small group of runaway pseudo-elite does not want to leave the people in peace; therefore, the activity of this pseudo-elite must be neutralized. Through the system of confiscation of illegal assets, we will take away those dozens and hundreds of houses one by one; this will definitely happen in the near future. That is why I am asking for a mandate from the people of Armenia and [displaced persons] from Karabakh,” Pashinyan said.

The Lausanne-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has fully dismissed the lawsuit filed by FC Lokomotiv Yerevan and the Kananyans against the Football Federation of Armenia (FFA).

According to a press release issued by the FFA, FC Lokomotiv Yerevan had demanded €2,012,229 from the FFA as compensation for alleged direct damages, as well as €1,445,000 for alleged lost profits. In addition, the Kananyans sought €1,400,000 in compensation for alleged moral damages.

The cases are related to the match-fixing scandal. On July 3, 2020, during an extraordinary meeting of the FFA Executive Committee, five clubs — Aragats, Torpedo, Masis, Lokomotiv, and Yerevan — along with 58 individuals were banned due to match-fixing.

Acting in accordance with its statutory and disciplinary obligations, the FFA conducted the relevant proceedings and imposed disciplinary sanctions. On June 28, 2022, the 22nd Regular Congress of the FFA decided to terminate FC Lokomotiv Yerevan’s membership in the federation. CAS confirmed that the Football Federation of Armenia had acted lawfully in terminating the club’s membership.

The latest ruling also fully rejected all compensation claims.

“The Football Federation of Armenia reaffirmed its firm commitment to combating match-fixing and all forms of misconduct in sport. The federation will continue to do everything possible to prevent such incidents and hold those responsible accountable within the scope of its authority,” the FFA said.

Another shipment from Russia to Armenia has been carried out via transit through Azerbaijan, according to the Azerbaijani APA news agency.

The shipment consisted of fertilizer and flour.

126 tons of urea, consisting of 2 wagons, and 67 tons of flour, consisting of 1 wagon, were sent from Bilajari station toward Boyuk Kesik on May 28, APA reported.

So far, more than 28,000 tons of grain, more than 4,000 tons of fertilizer, 133 tons of aluminum, and 68 tons of buckwheat have been transported from Russia to Armenia via transit through Azerbaijan.

In addition to transit operations, petroleum products are also exported from Azerbaijan to Armenia. To date, more than 10,000 tons of diesel, 979 tons of AI-92 gasoline, and 2,955 tons of AI-95 gasoline have been exported from Azerbaijan to Armenia.

The shipments are carried out via Georgian territory, since the Armenia-Azerbaijan direct railway has not been restored yet.

Russia’s phytosanitary watchdog, Rosselkhoznadzor, has announced temporary restrictions effective May 30 on imports of several fruits and vegetables from Armenia.

The agency said that the ban applies to tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, greens, and strawberries.

Rosselkhoznadzor said the decision was made due to the “increasing frequency of violations” during supplies of fruit and vegetable products from Armenia, as well as in order to “ensure phytosanitary safety.”

Between May 21–27, 2026, the agency conducted inspections at Armenian businesses.

According to Rosselkhoznadzor’s information system, large volumes of fruit and vegetable products are supplied by numerous Armenian companies whose ownership structure, according to the Russian side, is unknown, and which allegedly avoid quarantine phytosanitary control.

Minister of Health Anahit Avanesyan has been awarded the Order for Services to the Motherland, Class I.

The decree awarding Avanesyan the state honor was signed by President Vahagn Khachaturyan on the recommendation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the presidency said in a press release.

On the occasion of Republic Day on May 28, Avanesyan was recognized for her “outstanding contribution to the development of the healthcare sector, many years of productive activity, and devotion.”

Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan has been awarded the Order for Services to the Motherland, Class I.

The decree was signed by President Vahagn Khachaturyan on the recommendation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on the occasion of Republic Day, the presidency said in a press release.

Grigoryan was recognized for outstanding services to the country, many years of tireless activity, and devotion.