Category: News

The Armenia–Cyprus Business Forum held in Yerevan is opening new opportunities for deepening cooperation between the business communities of the two countries, expanding investment ties, and developing new export directions.

Participants of the forum emphasized the strengthening of Armenian–Cypriot economic relations, the process of integration with European markets, and the importance of establishing direct contacts between business representatives.

Mariam Manukyan, President of the Council of International Business Relations Support, an Armenian organization with the mission of fostering global business relations, presented the important initiative aimed at strengthening relations between Armenia and Cyprus.

Nine businesspeople from Cyprus have arrived in Armenia, representing companies operating in various sectors. The initiative provides an opportunity for Armenian businesses and entrepreneurs to establish contacts with representatives of the Cypriot business community.

Mariam Manukyan noted that Dr. Natalia Kardash, a Cyprus-based communications and business relations expert and founder of the Successful Business Leaders’ Club (SBL Club), is representing the Cypriot delegation. Her extensive connections and experience in cooperation with the Cypriot business community may help Armenian companies find new partners, as well as expand export and import opportunities.

According to her, the initiative also gives Armenian businesses the opportunity to register in the Cypriot market, which could contribute to export diversification and economic development.

“Cyprus has broad opportunities in the services sector, while Armenia can offer the Cypriot market its potential, particularly in the information technology sector,” Mariam Manukyan said.

During the event, Anahit Simonyan, a member of the Board of the Council for International Business Relations Support, also delivered remarks. She said that such meetings are particularly important in the context of recent major international developments in Armenia, including the first high-level Armenia–European Union Summit and the European Political Community Summit held in Yerevan. 

Speaking about past projects, Anahit Simonyan has reminded that initiatives under the “Bridge to Europe” program have already been implemented in the Armenia–Hungary, Vienna, and Prague directions, which were also aimed at expanding business ties.

She added that the initiative can be seen as a practical continuation of the framework of cooperation established between Armenia and the European Union, aimed at deepening economic relations and business ties.

Dr. Natalia Kardash highlighted the partnership with the Council of International Business Relations Support in organizing such an initiative.

“Within the framework of the forum, Armenian and Cypriot partners are given the opportunity to establish new business contacts, develop cooperation, and identify new sectors and investment directions,” Dr. Natalia Kardash said.

Armenia will host the Eurovision Young Musicians 2026 on June 6, the birthday of the renowned composer Aram Khachaturian.

Since 1982, Eurovision Young Musicians has showcased Europe’s most exceptional young instrumentalists, offering performers aged 12–21 the opportunity to step onto an international stage at a pivotal moment in their artistic development.

The 2026 competition, featuring musicians from 11 countries, will see Armenia represented by 15-year-old flutist Elen Virabyan.

Speaking at a press conference, Zhanna Andreasyan, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Armenia, said that hosting the competition is yet another opportunity to highlight the importance of classical art and to contribute to its promotion.

“The Government of the Republic of Armenia is pursuing a very active policy aimed at turning Armenia into a platform for various international tournaments, competitions, and events, which contribute to the country’s international positioning, making it more recognizable and visible, especially in the context of a significant increase in tourist flows. This year, there is about a 35% growth compared to the same period last year. In recent years, Armenia has become a platform for major sports and cultural events alike. I am glad that the classical Eurovision is joining this series,” the minister said.

Andreasyan emphasized that it is important to note that 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Yerevan Opera Theatre building, and that an anniversary committee has been established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia in order to make this important example of Armenian architecture and its history more visible.

The minister highlighted that the internationally anticipated competition will be held in the century-old building, at the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall.

The executive director of the Public Television Company of Armenia, Hovhannes Movsisyan, said that he believes the Eurovision Young Musicians contest, also referred to as “Classical Eurovision,” is not very well known among Eurovision competitions.

“We will try to make it more popular in Armenia through this event. We have been preparing for the event for two years, and I am grateful to the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia for providing most of the funding,” he said.

Speaking about the competition’s branding, Movsisyan noted that it was inspired by renowned Armenian painter Minas Avetisyan’s “Jajur.” The slogan of the 2026 contest is: Armenia: Where Classical Music Unites.

The Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra and the Symphony Orchestra of the Armenian National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet will take part in the event.

Eleven countries will participate: Portugal, Serbia, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Poland, Latvia, Sweden, and Armenia.

The international jury includes German conductor Julien Salemkour, Spanish flutist Eduard Belmar, conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra Roman Simović, and renowned Armenian cellist Narek Hakhnazaryan.

A delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has arrived in Armenia on a two-day visit to observe the ongoing election campaign and developments.

The members of the delegation met with Armenian delegates to PACE.

During the meeting with Vice Speaker of Parliament and head of the Armenian delegation to PACE Ruben Rubinyan, as well as members of the delegation, MPs Sona Ghazaryan, Hripsime Grigoryan, Arusyak Julhakyan, Armen Rustamyan and Armen Gevorgyan, the delegation discussed “issues pertaining to the pre-election and political processes in Armenia,” according to a readout. 

A delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), led by Head of Delegation Damien Cottier, visited the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) of Armenia on May 12, the Commission said in a statement.

The delegation included PACE members from Italy, the Swiss Confederation, the Kingdom of Spain, the Federal Republic of Germany and the Kingdom of Sweden, as well as representatives of the PACE Elections Division.

The delegation also included PACE Monitoring Committee co-rapporteur on Armenia Boriana Åberg. Head of the Council of Europe Office in Yerevan Maxime Longangué was also present at the meeting.

The delegation was welcomed by CEC Chairman Vahagn Hovakimyan. The preparatory process ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for June 7, the legal regulations governing the pre-election campaign, and Armenia’s electoral legislation in general were touched upon at the meeting.

Representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Assembly also attended the meeting.

The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 12 May, USD exchange rate down by 0.34 drams to 368.62 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 1.47 drams to 432.76 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.0174 drams to 4.9787 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 2.6 drams to 498.82 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price down by 197 drams to 56047 drams. 

Armenia’s Ambassador to Italy, Vladimir Karapetyan, has visited Naples on a working trip, holding meetings with representatives of the city’s leadership, local government, regional bodies, as well as the educational, innovation and cultural sectors.

During the visit, the ambassador was accompanied by Naples mayoral adviser Francesco Senese and public and cultural figure Michele De Simone.

According to a statement released by the embassy, Ambassador Karapetyan held meetings with Naples Mayor Gaetano Manfredi, President of the City Council Vincenza Amato, Rector of University of Naples L’Orientale Roberto Tottoli, Vice President of the Regional Standing Commission Francesca Amirante, Naples Commissioner for Innovation and Smart City Affairs Valerio Di Pietro, as well as Carlo Morelli and representatives of his cultural association.

The discussions focused on prospects for expanding cooperation between Armenia and Naples in the fields of education, science, culture, local governance, innovation, smart city solutions, economic ties and urban development, the statement said.

It added that the meetings provided an opportunity to strengthen bilateral institutional links, outline new avenues for educational and cultural exchanges, and discuss possibilities for broadening practical cooperation with Armenia.

The visit underscored the mutual interest in deepening Armenian-Italian ties at the local and regional levels.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has called on all citizens to attend the military parade that will take place in Yerevan’s Republic Square on May 28, Armenia’s Republic Day.

Pashinyan, who is currently on vacation and taking part in the election campaign ahead of the June 7 vote in Armenia, spoke about the parade during a meeting with residents of Yerevan’s Shengavit district.

“Those who have additional questions regarding the army will receive answers to many of them during that parade. Moreover, I have instructed that the military equipment should not simply pass through the square and leave. I said the equipment should enter Republic Square and continue along Tigran Mets Avenue, probably stretching as far as the railway station. Of course, there will be barriers on both sides so people do not get too close. And I instructed that citizens should be allowed to come, see and evaluate it,” the prime minister said.

He added that he expects Yerevan’s restaurants to be busy that day, because citizens attending the parade would likely want to celebrate afterwards “because they will see a completely different army.”

“But in order for us to make the army an instrument of peace rather than war, we say that Armenia’s army has no task beyond defending Armenia’s sovereign territory. We must record this as a national public agreement – that we will strengthen our defense capabilities by all possible means, but we will not have military objectives beyond Armenia’s sovereign border and we will not pursue an aggressive policy,” Pashinyan said.

According to the prime minister, the Armenian army will leave the country’s borders only in cases where it participates in peacekeeping missions under international agreements.

Armenia will hold a military parade on May 28, during which weapons acquired in recent years will be displayed.

Armenian Investigative Committee Chairman Artur Poghosyan received Janez Lenarčič, Head of the Observation Mission in Armenia of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the Committee said in a statement.

Poghosyan emphasized the observation mission’s contribution is invaluable at an important stage for the Republic of Armenia.

They discussed the powers exercised by the Investigative Committee in connection with crimes related to electoral processes during Armenia’s parliamentary elections scheduled for June 7, 2026.

During the meeting, Poghosyan addressed the activities of the working group established by his order to ensure the proper organization of the Investigative Committee’s work during the upcoming National Assembly elections.

Artur Poghosyan also noted that during the pre-election period, on election day and in the following days, the Investigative Committee will operate under an enhanced service regime involving the entire staff.

At the end of the meeting, the parties expressed readiness to ensure continuous information exchange and reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing cooperation.

Armenian and Azerbaijani experts have discussed developments in the peace process, as well as its opportunities and risks, during a meeting in London, Areg Kochinyan, president of the Armenian Council think tank and coordinator of the Bridge of Peace Initiative, said on Facebook.

“After decades of conflict, peace is built not only through political negotiations, but also through trust between people. Today there is a new opportunity in the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process, and it is important that societies are also involved in that path. During the meeting held in London, Armenian and Azerbaijani experts discussed the current stage of the peace process, its opportunities and risks,” Kochinyan wrote.

Kochinyan added that lasting peace is shaped through dialogue, trust and long-term cooperation.

The ‘Bridge of Peace’ initiative aims to develop new approaches and opportunities alongside the existing history and narratives, with the goal of advancing the peace agenda in Armenian-Azerbaijani relations. Within the framework of the initiative, representatives of civil society from Armenia and Azerbaijan have met several times in different cities in both Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Armenian Deputy Interior Minister Armen Ghazaryan held meetings with Georgian Deputy Interior Minister Alexandre Darakhvelidze, Lithuanian Deputy Interior Minister Alicija Szczerbaite and Belgian Special Envoy for Migration Hugo Verbist on the sidelines of the second International Migration Review Forum, Armenia’s Interior Ministry said.

The meetings focused on migration management, the prevention of illegal migration, and the expansion of cooperation.

“The sides emphasized the importance of exchanging experience, reforms aimed at the effective management of migration processes, and the continued development of partnership. At the United Nations, Deputy Minister Ghazaryan also participated in a side event titled ‘Global Diaspora Policy Alliance: Outcomes, Actions and Sustainability,’ organized by Georgia’s Permanent Mission. Participants discussed issues related to engaging diaspora potential, international migration management processes, and expanding cooperation in the law enforcement sphere,” the statement said.

Ghazaryan also met with Mohammed Abdiker, Chief of Staff of the International Organization for Migration. The sides exchanged views on practical solutions aimed at managing migration flows and ensuring safe migration.

The deputy interior minister also attended a reception organized by India’s Permanent Mission, where he spoke with Indian Deputy Foreign Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh.