Category: News

On May 20, Johannes Luchner, Deputy Director General of Migration and Internal Affairs of the European Commission, was in Armenia. Within the framework of the visit, under the coordination of Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Armen Ghazaryan and the involvement of representatives of state bodies, the European Commission’s first progress report of Armenia and its recommendations on the implementation of the RA-EU Visa Liberalization Action Plan (VLAP) were discussed. 

During the discussion, the parties thoroughly reflected on the implementation of the benchmarks in the four main directions defined by the Action Plan, in the context of the reforms implemented in the fields of document security, complex border management, public order protection and protection of fundamental human rights.

The Armenian side presented the institutional and operational changes aimed at the complex management of migration risks and borders, the prevention of illegal migration and the effective implementation of readmission agreements. As part of the process of introducing biometric passports and identification cards, the project implementation stages, data management mechanisms, and deadlines were specified.

As part of the modernization of the educational system, Armen Ghazaryan noted that in the educational complex of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, along with the specialization of policemen and rescuers, it is planned to introduce specialized educational programs for border guards, using international best practices and modern methodologies. According to him, the development of professional capabilities is an important prerequisite for the effectiveness of border management.

Reference was also made to the process of implementation of benchmarks related to public order and security. Measures to prevent and combat organized crime were presented, including the development of a crime prevention strategy and action plan, the introduction of an intelligence-based policing model, as well as the development of a national serious and organized crime threat assessment system. Within the framework of cooperation with Europol, the steps implemented in the direction of exchange of operational information through the SIENA system, formation of interdepartmental operational groups, creation of an asset recovery office, development of capabilities to fight against cybercrime, and creation of a cyber laboratory were also discussed.

Reference was also made to the implementation of the action plan of the 2025-2027 strategy against non-medical use and illegal trafficking of narcotics and psychotropic substances. The European side has taken an interest in a number of directions in the specific dates for the implementation of the planned measures and the schedule for ensuring the expected results.

The European side highly appreciated the recorded progress and highlighted Armenia’s commitment to ensuring the continuity of reforms. Armen Ghazaryan reaffirmed the willingness of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to continue the effective implementation of the visa liberalization action plan in close cooperation with European partners.

—

The Ministry of Economy of Armenia announced the readiness of local producers to enter the Western markets. According to the head of the department, Gevorg Papoyan, the quality of the products of modern Armenian greenhouses fully meets strict international standards, which opens prospects for successfully competing in Europe and the United States.

In a briefing with journalists after the government session on May 21, the minister emphasized the technological advantage of some of the Armenian greenhouses over similar economies of other countries of the Eurasian Economic Union. Papoyan noted that roses grown with the latest technologies have already been sold on the world’s largest platforms, such as specialized flower auctions in the Netherlands.

In this regard, the government of the republic is currently developing state support mechanisms for exporters. We are talking about the partial reimbursement of logistics costs and intellectual property rights fees, which is a mandatory condition for the sale of patented flower varieties in the territory of the European Union.
Directly referring to the decision of “Rosselkhoznadzor” to stop the import of flowers from Armenia from May 22 due to alleged violations of phytosanitary norms, Papoyan clarified that the sectoral control is exclusively within the jurisdiction of the Food Safety Inspection Body, while the Ministry of Economy acts as the coordinator of the processes.

Earlier, the Russian agency justified its move with the need to ensure phytosanitary safety, citing that a significant number of quarantine objects were found in a large batch of Armenian flowers last year, which made up the vast majority of the total number of similar incidents. The restrictions will be in effect until the completion of inspections of Armenian greenhouses and a detailed analysis of the results.

Despite the trade obstacles, the Minister of Economy categorically denied the rumors about the political crisis between the two states. He assured that bilateral relations with Russia maintain a stable partnership character, and the tension circulating in the mass media is highly exaggerated and does not reflect the true picture of interstate cooperation at all.

—

 

The “I’m against everyone” party, 50 of whose pre-election list candidates withdrew, announced that 12 more candidates will withdraw.

“Dear citizens, as you know, we announced that if we succeed, we will form a 100-day government, implement the three changes we promised and organize early elections, and if this is impossible, we are not going to work as an opposition MP for five years with the votes of the people against everyone and we will give up our mandates.

Considering that the process of laying down a large number of mandates is a lengthy process in legal terms, we have found a legal mechanism to guarantee this in advance.

After legal clarifications with the CEC, 50 members of our list left and 12 more will leave the list. As a result, we will have 25 candidates on the list. guaranteeing that, if necessary, we will be able to implement both our planned changes and the plan to put down the mandates, without long delays, within the time frame promised to you,” the party said.

—

Subsidies for the creation of pedigree cattle farms will be increased in Armenia. The relevant decision was adopted at the May 21 session of the Government.

As Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan announced, the amount of subsidies will be increased to 50%, regardless of the number of heads purchased. According to him, this will allow to promote the creation of larger economies. In the past, up to 30% subsidy was used for purchasing up to 25 head of pedigree cattle, and 40% for more than 25 head. In addition, the absolute amount of subsidy per head will increase from 1 million to 1.1 million drams.

Subsidies for livestock purchase loans will also be increased. Currently, the loans are subsidized so that the business has to pay 3% per year for imports and 2% for domestic purchases. The maximum subsidized loan rate is 14%.

According to today’s decision, interest rates will be fully subsidized. In other words, the business will have to pay only the principal amount. The grace period for its payment will become 18 months from 12 months.

Within the framework of the previous subsidy programs, the business in Armenia acquired 2,600 pedigree cattle, the number of which has increased in the last few years, reaching 12,2 thousand.

—

During the first four months of 2026, the export of Armenian products to China doubled compared to the same period last year. This was announced by RA Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan, referring to the diversification of foreign trade and reducing the country’s dependence on individual markets.

According to Papoyan, a similar increase was also recorded in the volume of Armenian product exports to European Union countries. The minister emphasized that the authorities intend to continue the policy of expansion of export destinations, so that in the next two to three years, Armenia does not have a critical dependence on any single market.

Papoyan made a special emphasis on the prospects of Armenian products in Chinese and European directions. He noted that the authorities are already discussing the mechanisms of entering the European Union market with the producers, including participation in the specialized auctions held in the Netherlands.

The minister said that the government is considering various measures to support exporters, including transport subsidies, assistance in intellectual property protection issues during export of variety products.

—

RA Finance Minister Vahe Hovhannisyan and Deputy Minister Arman Poghosyan had a meeting with representatives of the American Chamber of Commerce in Armenia. This was reported by the Ministry of Finance.

During the meeting, a number of important issues related to the new tax concept, the improvement of the business environment, the predictability of the tax policy, as well as the formation of the most favorable conditions for businessmen were discussed.

The parties emphasized the continuous dialogue and cooperation between the public and private sectors, stressing that such discussions contribute to the development of more effective solutions.

—

On May 21, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, H.E. Karekin the Second Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians received the head of the observation mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights in Armenia, Janezh Lenarchic.

The Mother See reports that during the meeting, the socio-political situation in Armenia during the pre-election period, the need to ensure the peaceful and transparent course of the electoral processes, and the need to maintain the atmosphere of public trust and solidarity were discussed.

—

As a result of the activities carried out by the employees of the RA Anti-Corruption Committee, factual information was obtained that the head of the offices of the “Strong Armenia” party in Alaverdi, Lori region, together with other persons, gave electoral bribes to a number of voters on the condition that they would vote for their party in the National Assembly elections.

In order to hide their criminal activities, the money paid to the citizens receiving election bribes was presented as a salary paid under the condition that any position was formalized in the various offices of the party. However, the aforementioned citizens were not only not registered as employees, but also did not perform any work apart from securing votes for themselves or their family members.

Regarding the case, the RA Anti-Corruption Committee initiated criminal proceedings, arrested a number of persons, conducted searches and other administrative actions.

—

The Government of the Republic of Armenia approved the draft of amendments and additions to the Labor Code, which provides for the introduction of the idea of ​​”parental time” in labor relations, at the meeting held on May 21. The decision is aimed at increasing the social protection of working parents and will apply to employers in both the public and private sectors.

The new regulations stipulate that parents (including foster parents, adoptive parents and carers) with a child in their care under the age of 12 and under the age of 18 with a profound or severely limiting disability will be entitled to paid leave.

The provided period will be distributed according to the following principle: parents with up to 2 children – a maximum of 30 minutes per day, parents with 3 or more children – a maximum of 1 hour per day. And for the parents of a child with a disability, a maximum of 1 hour per day (regardless of the total number of children).

It is also noted that this right will apply equally to both parents.

Terms of application and upcoming reforms

During the government session, it was clarified that the possibility of accumulating hours is not planned at the current stage. Employees will not be able to add daily free hours together to obtain a full day off. However, the new provision will operate in parallel with the existing legislation. for example, mothers returning from parental leave with a child under 2 years of age, who already have the right to work less than 1 hour per day, will be able to add these benefits and be absent for up to 2 hours per day.

Possible risks were also raised during the session. In particular, concerns have been raised that mandating paid time off may cause private employers to avoid hiring parents caring for children with disabilities. As a solution, it was proposed to develop state incentive mechanisms (for example, in the form of tax benefits), which will be discussed in the National Assembly during the hearing stage.

The prospect of digitization

The government said that in the future, when the digitalization platform for labor contracts will be fully implemented in Armenia, it will be possible to revise the law and make it more flexible. The digital system will allow managing the accumulation of hours and their redistribution between parents.

After the draft is approved by the executive, it will be sent to the RA National Assembly for a final vote.

—