Category: News

The European Commission has published the First Progress Report on the implementation by Armenia of the Action Plan on Visa Liberalisation, highlighting that the country has made “good progress.”

In line with the established methodology, the Commission has assessed the implementation of the visa liberalisation action plan (VLAP) by Armenia on the basis of the information and relevant legislative and policy documents provided by the Armenian authorities.

“The Commission also monitors the progress made by Armenia through the EU-Armenia Joint Visa Facilitation Committee, the EU-Armenia Joint Readmission Committee, the EU-Armenia Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom and Security, and the Human Rights Dialogue. In all of these frameworks there is an advanced level of dialogue and cooperation between the EU and Armenia. On the basis of the above, the Commission considers that Armenia has made good progress in the implementation of the benchmarks relevant for the first phase (legislative and policy framework) of the VLAP, considering that the VLAP was officially handed over to Armenian authorities only in November 2025. The first set of benchmarks under block 1(document security, including biometrics) and – within block 2 (on migration management) are already at an advanced stage of fulfilment. Armenia is also progressing well in the implementation of the first set of benchmarks related to the other policy areas covered under block 2 (integrated border management, asylum), block 3 (public order and security) and block 4 (external relations and fundamental rights) in the VLAP,” the report said.

“The findings of this first progress report by the Commission will be presented to the European Parliament and the Council. These findings will also be presented and discussed by the Commission with the Armenian authorities in the next Senior Officials meeting. The Commission will continue to support Armenia in the implementation of the VLAP including through dedicated technical and financial assistance from the Resilience and Growth Plan for Armenia being rolled out. The Commission will actively monitor the fulfilment of all benchmarks under the four blocks of the VLAP, with the support of EU Member States’s experts. Additional EU evaluation missions will be organised in Armenia in the coming period in view of assessing progress made by the Armenian authorities in fulfilling all benchmarks under the first phase. The recommendations included in this report should guide the Armenian authorities in closing the gaps identified. This monitoring will inform forthcoming reports from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the progress made by Armenia in implementing the VLAP,” it added.

Türkiye has announced the completion of preparations to launch direct trade with Armenia.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement that as of May 11, 2026, “all necessary bureaucratic procedures have been completed.” However, technical and bureaucratic work on opening the land border between the two countries is still ongoing.

Under the new regulations, goods transported from Türkiye to Armenia via third countries may now list Armenia or Türkiye as the final destination or country of origin. The Turkish Foreign Ministry said Ankara will continue to promote the development of economic ties and cooperation in the South Caucasus for the benefit of all countries and peoples in the region.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan revealed the expected procedural changes earlier on May 12.

Yerevan has welcomed Türkiye’s decision to lift the restrictions on bilateral trade with Armenia.

Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ani Badalyan said in a statement on social media that the move is an important step toward the development of full and normal relations between the two countries.

“We welcome Türkiye’s decision to lift restrictions on bilateral trade with the Republic of Armenia, which is another outcome of the Armenia– Türkiye normalization process.

This decision is significant for expanding trade and business ties between the two countries, promoting economic connectivity in the region, and ensuring peace and prosperity.

We emphasize that this is an important step toward the development of full and normal relations between the two countries, which can be logically followed by the opening of the Armenia– Türkiye border and the establishment of diplomatic relations.”

A senior Armenian official in charge of normalization talks with Türkiye hailed on Wednesday Ankara’s move aimed at facilitating trade between the two countries.

Ruben Rubinyan, the Vice Speaker of the Armenian Parliament and Special Representative for Normalization with Türkiye, said in a statement that the new regulations formalized by Türkiye now enable businesses to engage in direct trade without re-declaring goods, as was done previously.

“Good news for businesspeople,” Rubinyan said on social media.

“Within the framework of the Armenia–Türkiye normalization process, due to a new regulation introduced in Türkiye, it will henceforth be possible for goods sent from Armenia to any third country and from there to Türkiye, or vice versa, to indicate the final destination or point of origin as ‘Armenia/Türkiye.’

In other words, direct trade between Armenia and Türkiye in customs terms—without re-documentation—has become possible.

We continue to work toward the opening of the [land] border, including the Gyumri–Kars railway,” Rubinyan added.

On May 13, Türkiye announced the completion of preparations to launch direct trade with Armenia.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan revealed the expected procedural changes earlier on May 12.

European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia, Magdalena Grono, discussed Armenia’s normalization with Türkiye and the peace process with Azerbaijan during a meeting with a senior Turkish official.

Grono met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s chief advisor for foreign policy and security, Akif Çağatay Kılıç.

The Turkish official gave details of the talks on X.

“During the meeting, we discussed the Azerbaijan–Armenia peace process, the Turkey–Armenia normalization process, connectivity projects in the South Caucasus, issues of regional stability and security, as well as the EU’s approach to the region,” the Turkish official said on X.

Kılıç also emphasized the importance of joint efforts aimed at strengthening lasting peace, stability, and cooperation in the South Caucasus.

The Armenian Ministry of Economy has officially notified businesses about the launch of bilateral trade with Türkiye following Ankara’s announcement.

“Dear business community, as of May 11, 2026, the launch of direct trade between Armenia and Turkey has been announced. As a result, the opportunity has been created to carry out direct trade between the two countries, which will contribute to a significant reduction in costs and delivery times, as well as the expansion of new markets and cooperation opportunities for businesses. At the same time, in cases of transportation via third countries, the country of origin or final destination of goods may officially be indicated as ‘Armenia’ or ‘Türkiye,’” the Ministry of Economy said in a press release.

Türkiye has announced the completion of preparations to launch direct trade with Armenia.

Armenia has welcomed the decision as an important step toward the development of full and normal relations between the two countries.

Armenian businesses will now be able to import goods from Türkiye directly and without intermediaries, according to a statement issued by Armenia’s State Revenue Committee.

“As of May 11, 2026, the procedural preparations for the launch of direct trade between Armenia and Türkiye have been completed. This has been carried out within the framework of the normalization process underway since 2022, as part of confidence-building measures.

Under a new regulation that has entered into force in Türkiye, Armenia can now be listed as the final destination for goods exported from Türkiye.

What was the situation before? Turkish supplier companies were unable to indicate Armenian businesses as recipients, or Armenia as the country of destination, in export declarations submitted to Turkish customs authorities. As a result, goods reached Armenia through intermediary entities in third countries, such as Georgia, under re-export arrangements.

What has changed? From now on, Armenian businesses will be able to import goods from Türkiye directly in their own name, without intermediaries,” the statement said.

Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry announced the start of direct trade with Armenia on May 13.

Armenian and Georgian railway operators have discussed passenger transport cooperation and agreed on measures to expand and improve cross-border rail services between the two countries, including scheduled express and tourist train operations for the upcoming seasons.

South Caucasus Railway said in a press release that during talks with Georgian Railways, the two operators reached a number of agreements.

It said that a decision has been made to operate an express train on the Yerevan–Batumi–Yerevan route during the 2026 summer season. The parties have confirmed a schedule providing for departures on alternate days between June 14 and October 1, 2026. The railway operators have also agreed on the prompt exchange of passenger information in order to reduce train dwell time at border checkpoints during passenger clearance procedures, the South Caucasus Railway company said.

In addition, the parties have reached an agreement to operate a Yerevan–Batumi–Yerevan tourist train service between July 4 and 12 at the request of the Czech company “Gepard Express.” A group of tourists, primarily from the Czech Republic, is expected to travel on this route, with accommodation provided in South Caucasus Railway carriages and scheduled en-route stops allowing passengers to visit key tourist attractions in Armenia and Georgia. The company also noted that the South Caucasus Railway successfully organized a similar service for the first time in 2025.

Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan received a team from the American engineering and consulting company AECOM, which arrived in Armenia on behalf of the U.S. State Department’s Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI) initiative to begin site survey work for TRIPP.

The Armenian government said in a press release that the company presented the Deputy Prime Minister with the main directions of the technical assessment study being developed, as well as the expected outcomes of the work.

The Deputy Prime Minister, emphasizing the significance of the TRIPP initiative in terms of strengthening peace and stability in the region, highlighted the importance of the ongoing work and presented the potential for unblocking regional communications. He underscored the significant potential for the transit of goods and resources through the territory of the Republic of Armenia.

The Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) is a connectivity project in Armenia, envisaged under the U.S.-brokered Armenian-Azerbaijani joint declaration signed in Washington, D.C. The project is expected to unlock strategic economic opportunities, create long-term benefits by promoting infrastructure investment, and enhance regional connectivity. 

AECOM had previously visited Armenia earlier this year.

Deputy Foreign Minister Mnatsakan Safaryan has received the copy of the credentials of Ghana’s newly appointed non-resident ambassador to Armenia, Koma Jehu-Appiah.

According to a press release from the Foreign Ministry, during the meeting following the credential presentation ceremony, the Deputy Foreign Minister congratulated the ambassador on assuming office, wishing him success and effective work.

The Deputy Foreign Minister and the ambassador noted with satisfaction the expanding cooperation on bilateral and multilateral platforms and expressed readiness to continue deepening political dialogue, as well as cooperation in technology, energy, culture, and other areas of mutual interest.