Category: News

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced on Monday that the government plans to publish the draft of a new Constitution in November.

“We will publish the draft of the new Constitution, public discussions will begin, proposals will be submitted and discussed. This will continue until we are convinced that the draft of the new Constitution has been sufficiently discussed among the public, after which we will organize another discussion of the draft,” Pashinyan told lawmakers at a joint session of parliamentary committees discussing the draft 2027 state budget.

The Prime Minister said that one of the government’s most important upcoming objectives is the signing and ratification of the peace agreement already initialed by Armenia and Azerbaijan. In this context, the opposition has raised the question of whether the adoption of a new Constitution will guarantee the signing of that agreement and comprehensive peace.

“Our efforts in the coming period will be directed precisely toward obtaining answers to these questions. If Armenia’s ruling majority gives a clear affirmative answer to this question that has been raised and provides convincing answers to the questions arising from it, allow me to express my conviction that if we proceed with the process of adopting a new Constitution under these conditions of affirmative answers, the overwhelming majority of citizens of the Republic of Armenia will go to the polling stations and vote in favor of the new Constitution. If we have affirmative answers and the parliamentary opposition expresses its opposition, that will mean that the opposition is opposing peace with Azerbaijan. In that case, public pressure on the opposition will undoubtedly build, and I believe that Armenia’s ruling majority should lead that pressure,” the Prime Minister said.

Armenia and Azerbaijan initialed a peace agreement on August 8, 2025. Azerbaijan is making amendments to Armenia’s Constitution a precondition for finally signing the peace agreement, claiming that it contains territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan makes this claim by referring to the reference to Armenia’s Declaration of Independence in the preamble to the Armenian Constitution.

The Armenian side has repeatedly stated that Armenia’s Constitution contains no territorial claims against any country, including Azerbaijan.

Armenia’s leadership has stated that it is ready to sign the peace agreement with Azerbaijan at any time.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has also previously stated that the draft of Armenia’s new Constitution should not contain a reference to the Declaration of Independence and that the constitutional reforms are entirely a domestic matter.

The Government of Armenia has effectively already begun implementing the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP) project, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told lawmakers on Monday.

“Before organizing the subsequent processes, the Government of Armenia will, on its own initiative, launch the process of commissioning the design of the railway, highway and power transmission lines under the TRIPP project, so that we do not lose time and can begin work on the project,” he said at a joint session of parliamentary committees discussing the draft 2027 state budget.

“As soon as the TRIPP Development Company is established, the Government of Armenia will simply transfer the work already completed to the company,” the Prime Minister added.

Pashinyan emphasized that through this project, Armenia is overcoming a blockade that has continued for more than 30 years.

“It is indisputable and unequivocal that as a result of the implementation of the TRIPP project, Armenia will be unblocked in all directions. It will be unblocked in the east-west and north-south directions. The unblocking of all these directions does not mean that all infrastructure will be part of the TRIPP project. The TRIPP project will include the Nrnadzor-Karchevan railway, as well as power transmission lines and a highway there. The issues of a gas pipeline and an oil pipeline are matters for discussion at a later stage,” Pashinyan said.

On October 28, the National Assembly of Armenia ratified the Framework Agreement between the Republic of Armenia and the United States of America on Strategic Cooperation Concerning the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP).

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that Armenia intends to gradually transfer full control over its state borders to the Border Guard Troops of the National Security Service (NSS).

“I consider it important to emphasize that on November 1, we launched the biometric passport system in Armenia, which is a very significant and major reform. Today, we have introduced a system that meets all modern requirements and standards for biometric passports, and this system is very important on the path toward achieving visa liberalization with the EU. Of course, quite complex reforms are needed to address this issue because, if we want visa liberalization, it means that we must meet European Union standards in at least certain areas. In the context of addressing this issue, the necessary systems must be reformed, and I want to say that we are determined to pursue this path. What does this entail? In particular, it entails a certain transformation of the status of the border guard troops and means that, at least in the medium term, all state borders of the Republic of Armenia must be controlled by the relevant border guard service of Armenia. We have already addressed this topic in the Government Program as well, and we will move steadily along this path. You know that previously, our Border Guard Service did not even control all of the Republic of Armenia’s border crossing points. However, for several years now, all border crossing points in Armenia have been controlled exclusively by the Armenian border guard troops. And, of course, step by step, we will delegate control over the entire border of the Republic of Armenia to the Border Guard Service of the Republic of Armenia, which will also have to undergo a certain process of reform,” Prime Minister Pashinyan told members of parliament at a joint committee hearing on the 2027 state budget bill.

Since January 1, 2025, the Border Guard Troops of the NSS have been participating alongside Russian border guards in guarding the Armenia-Iran and Armenia-Türkiye state borders. At the border checkpoint on the Armenia-Iran state border, however, service is carried out entirely by the NSS Border Guard Troops. Since August 2024, the Zvartnots Airport in Yerevan has also been staffed exclusively by Armenian border guards, whereas Russian border guards had previously served there as well. The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) Border Guard Service has been guarding the Armenian side of the Armenia-Türkiye and Armenia-Iran state borders since 1992.

Speaking about biometric passports, Pashinyan said that one of the most visible and welcome developments related to them is that holders of biometric passports will soon be able to cross Armenia’s border through electronic gates (the e-gate system).

“What is special about this? There is no contact with any official. This system is already in operation in many countries. This opportunity will first be introduced at Zvartnots Airport and subsequently at all border crossing points in Armenia, without exception. Of course, later on, we will have to start negotiations to make these services available to Armenian citizens in other countries as well, because each country has its own specific regulations, and there is an agenda for making these services mutually available. What is the specific feature? There must be a comparative database of information. When a biometric passport is presented, the system must have something to compare it against to determine whether the person is indeed the person they claim to be. In Armenia’s case, when a citizen does this in their own country, there is no difficulty because all the systems are interoperable. When a citizen holds their passport up to the system, it quickly checks the information against the State Population Register using the biometric system to verify how accurately the data corresponds to reality. To use similar services in foreign countries, we need to establish a certain system for exchanging information with those countries, and that is already a matter of bilateral arrangements,” the Prime Minister said.

Prosecutor General of Armenia Anna Vardapetyan has visited the Sisian community in Syunik Province to review efforts to return public park areas to community ownership.

Vardapetyan, accompanied by Syunik Regional Prosecutor Masis Poghosyan and Sisian Mayor Hovsep Arakelyan, visited the May 28, Hydrobuilders and Karen Demirchyan (Yerevan) parks in Sisian to familiarize herself with the work carried out and underway to protect community interests in relation to the park areas, the Prosecutor General’s Office said.

At May 28 Park, 13 land plots with a total area of 6,411.48 square meters have already been returned to the community’s ownership following a motion by the Prosecutor’s Office. The plots were returned after violations were identified during a study conducted as part of efforts to protect state and community interests. Efforts to return five more plots are ongoing.

Hydrobuilders Park has been fully returned to the Sisian community following the intervention of the Prosecutor’s Office. A study found that the entire 10,000-square-meter park had been leased to a private individual for 50 years under an agreement signed on September 16, 2003. Following a motion by the Prosecutor’s Office and measures taken by the relevant community authorities, the citizen’s lease right was terminated by the Cadastre Committee on September 30, 2026. The entire park, with an estimated cadastral value of approximately 30 million drams—close to its market value—has been returned to the Sisian community.

Vardapetyan also visited Karen Demirchyan (Yerevan) Park, where efforts to return the land plots to the community are ongoing. The Prosecutor General commended citizens who voluntarily terminate their long-term lease agreements and return park areas to community ownership, making it possible to promptly improve and landscape the territories.

Vardapetyan emphasized that the Prosecutor’s Office is partnership-oriented and constructive in resolving such matters out of court, noting that the return of Hydrobuilders Park was the result of out-of-court cooperation.

She stressed the importance of citizens understanding that terminating lease and development agreements, many of which were concluded in violation of the law, benefits the entire community. Residents, including children, gain access to improved parks, green areas and playgrounds that meet their needs through joint investment by the community and the government.

The Prosecutor General instructed the Syunik prosecutor to take measures to return both parks in their entirety to the Sisian community and dismantle illegal structures, setting deadlines for the work.

The Armenian town of Meghri has concluded its year as the 2026 Cultural Capital of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), handing over the title to the Belarusian city of Molodechno.

According to a statement released by Armenia’s Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, the “Meghri – CIS Cultural Capital 2026” program concluded with a joint concert featuring national songs and traditional instrumental music from CIS countries.

Welcoming remarks at the ceremony were delivered by Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Tigran Virabyan; Deputy Governor of Syunik Province Hayk Harutyunyan; Anatoly Iksanov, Executive Director of the Interstate Foundation for Humanitarian Cooperation of the CIS Member States; and Artur Grigoryan, First Deputy Head of Meghri Community. A welcoming address by CIS Secretary General Sergey Lebedev was also presented.

Deputy Minister Tigran Virabyan said that the program to designate Meghri as a cultural capital had been a major responsibility, providing an opportunity to showcase Armenian culture and develop the region’s infrastructure while boosting tourism.

Virabyan noted that Meghri had proudly held the title of CIS Cultural Capital, becoming a unique platform for dialogue. Between April and November, around 30 diverse events were held in Meghri, including tree planting, the “Taraz Fest,” the Commonwealth Countries Film Festival, the Yerevan Book Festival’s traveling edition, folk crafts and dance festivals, a stamp cancellation ceremony, and other events.

The cultural events covered not only the town of Meghri but also other settlements in Meghri Community, including Agarak and Shvanidzor, in line with Armenia’s strategy of decentralizing cultural life and making culture more accessible.

“Meghri has proven that it has great potential to inspire, unite and represent Armenian culture with distinction on international platforms. This program was more than just a series of events for us. Although today we are officially closing the chapter on Meghri’s tenure as a cultural capital, I am confident that it has left its mark on everyone’s hearts and genuinely contributed to revitalizing cultural life in Meghri, discovering creative potential and opening up new prospects for future cooperation, while building new creative and cultural bridges,” Virabyan said, thanking the Interstate Foundation for Humanitarian Cooperation for its cooperation.

The deputy minister wished success to the Belarusian city of Molodechno, which will assume the role of CIS Cultural Capital in 2027. Virabyan formally handed over the title to Alesia Lukovskaya, Deputy Chair of the Molodechno District Executive Committee of the Republic of Belarus, presenting her with a commemorative artwork depicting the sun as a symbol of the cultural relay.

Anatoly Iksanov, Executive Director of the Interstate Foundation for Humanitarian Cooperation of the CIS Member States, welcomed the attendees and congratulated Meghri on becoming a new and shining star in the constellation of CIS cultural capitals.

“Meghri is a town where particular reverence is shown for its centuries-old history. With its architectural monuments, fragrant gardens and exceptionally hospitable people, it inspires respect and interest. I am confident that those who took part in the events will take home vivid impressions and a little of the warmth they experienced here,” Iksanov said, expressing his gratitude to the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports and the Meghri Municipality for their cooperation.

The closing concert of the “Meghri – CIS Cultural Capital 2026” program featured performances by the Kayt Ethno Group, which presented traditional Armenian folk songs and melodies, including rare and forgotten pieces, in contemporary arrangements.

Artists from Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan also performed national songs and played traditional musical instruments.

Ahead of the closing ceremony, Deputy Minister Tigran Virabyan, Executive Director of the Interstate Foundation for Humanitarian Cooperation of the CIS Member States Anatoly Iksanov, Deputy Head of the CIS Executive Committee’s Department for Political, Social and Humanitarian Cooperation Khalmurat Rashidov, and Deputy Chair of the Molodechno District Executive Committee Alesia Lukovskaya held a briefing with media representatives.

As part of the closing program, a cultural tour was organized for representatives of delegations from CIS member states. During their visit, the delegates toured Meghri’s historical and cultural sites and visited the Church of the Holy Mother of God in Mets Tagh and the Church of St. John the Baptist in Pokr Tagh.

The delegation members also strolled through the historic Pokr Tagh neighborhood, where they learned about the everyday life of local residents, as well as Meghri’s rich traditions and cultural heritage.

The secretary of the Strong Armenia faction in the Armenian Parliament, MP Tigran Abrahamyan, said he believes that more than one guarantor is needed for the implementation of the TRIPP project.

The opposition lawmaker was asked at a press briefing whether the Strong Armenia faction would have voted in favor of the TRIPP project if Russia were its guarantor.

“We believe that the peace agreement [with Azerbaijan] and the TRIPP project should have been discussed together in parliament. If the peace agreement had been signed and submitted to parliament together with TRIPP, our faction would have voted differently,” Abrahamyan said.

Arega Hovsepyan, another member of the same faction, in turn emphasized that several guarantors are also needed for the signing of the initialed peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

According to Hovsepyan, the best guarantee for TRIPP is the signing of the peace agreement.

Both opposition factions, Strong Armenia and Armenia, voted against the ratification of the Armenia-United States agreement on the implementation of the TRIPP project, which was nevertheless adopted with the votes of the ruling Civil Contract faction.

Flight schedule restrictions will be in effect from November 2 to 7 due to repair works at the intersection of the runway and taxiway at Zvartnots International Airport.

“No flights will operate from 09:00 to 18:00 on November 2-6, and from 09:00 to 15:00 on November 7. The changes have already been made to our flight schedule,” Zvartnots International Airport Public Relations Officer Lusine Moghrovyan told Armenpress.