Category: News

Finance Minister Vahe Hovhannisyan has attributed the Armenian Government’s ability to raise pensions in 2026 to higher-than-projected revenues and improved tax collection.

Opposition MP Edgar Ghazaryan questioned how the Government had managed to raise pensions in 2026, given that during previous budget discussions its representatives had said there were no financial resources available for such an increase.

In response, Hovhannisyan explained that the state budget is drawn up based on the economic and tax forecasts available at the time. According to him, the assessments made in September 2025 did not allow for a pension increase, but the actual results for the year turned out to be better.

“When we had higher revenues and stronger economic growth based on the actual results for 2025, it was already clear to us that 2026 revenues would be at least AMD 45–50 billion higher than we had planned. This was already clear to us at the beginning of the year,” the minister said during a joint parliamentary committee hearing on the 2027 state budget bill.

He said the additional revenues had made at least half of the funding needed for the pension increase available. Subsequent economic developments and the pace of tax collection also allowed the Government to use the macroeconomic risk reserve, which is intended to cover potential revenue shortfalls.

The minister also reported that the economic growth forecast for 2026 had been revised upward from 5.4% to 5.6%. He said that if actual growth and tax revenues exceed projections, the Government will decide how to allocate the additional funds.

Armenia’s Ministry of Labor and Welfare is projected to receive 1 trillion 84 billion drams under the 2027 state budget, an increase of 91 billion drams compared to the approved 2026 budget.

Armenia’s Finance Minister Vahe Hovhannisyan announced the allocation during discussions on the 2027 state budget bill at a joint session of the parliamentary Committees on Labor and Welfare Affairs and Financial-Credit and Budgetary Affairs.

“The Ministry has the largest budget, amounting to 1 trillion 84 billion drams, which is 91 billion drams more than the approved 2026 budget. Accordingly, the Ministry is among the government bodies with the largest number of programs. There are 18 of them, and they concern the main components of social policy,” Hovhannisyan said.

According to the Finance Minister, the ministry’s budget accounts for 27% of state budget expenditures and 8% of GDP.

Armenia’s Minister of Labor and Welfare Arsen Torosyan announced on Monday that the 2027 state budget draft envisages a new care program for seniors.

Speaking at a joint session of the parliamentary Committees on Labor and Welfare Affairs and Financial-Credit and Budgetary Affairs during discussions on the 2027 state budget bill, Torosyan said the program will operate on a model similar to that of foster care for children.

According to Torosyan, 6 billion drams is planned for the program supporting seniors and persons with disabilities, an increase of 346 million drams compared to the approved 2026 budget.

“This includes various measures, such as day care, round-the-clock care, and measures to improve the physical conditions of care facilities operating under our supervision. It also includes a new measure that has not existed before: a foster care program for seniors, following approximately the same model as the foster care program for children,” Torosyan said.

The minister also addressed childcare, emphasizing the importance of expanding opportunities for children to live in a family environment.

Funding for the program addressing children’s issues is planned to reach approximately 9.3 billion drams, representing an increase of around 59%. The program includes care for children in foster families, day center services, and other measures, he said.

Torosyan noted that when there is a need for services at round-the-clock care institutions, the state must meet that need while giving priority to children living in family settings.

Any revisions to the pension cashback programme will only involve increases, Minister of Labour and Welfare Arsen Torosyan said.

Speaking to journalists, Torosyan was responding to a question about the possible discontinuation of the programme.

He explained that the government decision governing the programme had an expiry date and that a draft to extend it was currently being circulated.

“We are currently circulating a draft decision to extend that decision by at least three years. It simply needs to have a time limit. If, after three years, we decide to change anything in it, those changes will only involve increases,” Torosyan said.

According to the minister, different approaches to raising pensions are also being discussed, including the balance between increasing the basic pension and using cashback. He noted that cashback also served to encourage cashless payments.

Torosyan said the number of people benefiting from cashback had reached 572,590, with the average amount received standing at around AMD 8,200. He said participation in the programme was increasing every month.

Journalists also raised the availability of point-of-sale terminals in shops. The minister said the cashback mechanism itself should encourage retailers to offer cashless payments, as shops providing that option gained a competitive advantage.

Armenian parliament Civil Contract faction MP Artur Hovhannisyan stressed that adopting a new Constitution without a reference to the Declaration of Independence does not mean abolishing the latter.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has repeatedly stated that the new Constitution, which is currently under development, should not contain a reference to the Declaration of Independence.

“I reiterate that the Constitution is an issue on Armenia’s domestic agenda. Armenia today should have a Constitution that reflects our country’s goals and demands as of 2026. The adoption of a new Constitution does not mean that anyone is abolishing the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration exists and will exist forever. It is thanks to it that Armenia gained independence from the Soviet Union. No one disputes this fact,” Artur Hovhannisyan said at a press briefing. 

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

A lawmaker representing Armenia’s ruling Civil Contract faction has warned that the parliamentary opposition is trying to sabotage the implementation of the TRIPP project and the signing of the initialed peace agreement with Azerbaijan.

MP Artur Hovhannisyan made the remarks at a press briefing in response to claims by representatives of the Strong Armenia faction that more than one guarantor is needed for the implementation of the Armenia–United States TRIPP project and the signing of the peace agreement with Azerbaijan.

“Let there be no impression that, by speaking about the need for guarantors, the opposition is trying to improve the TRIPP project or the initialed peace agreement. The opposition is trying to derail the implementation of the TRIPP project and the signing of the peace agreement. The only way to return Armenia to dependence on external influence is to derail TRIPP and the peace process. We understand what the opposition is trying to achieve. The opposition’s observations and comments on these issues are merely a smokescreen for what they want to carry out. They want to derail Armenia’s independence, and we will not allow that,” the representative of the ruling party said.

On October 28, the Armenian parliament 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), with 63 votes in favor. Only lawmakers from the ruling Civil Contract faction voted in favor of ratification.

Under the agreement, a company named TRIPP Development Company will be established, with Armenia holding a 26% stake and the U.S. side holding 74%. The agreement’s initial term is 49 years. If cooperation is extended for another 50 years by mutual agreement, Armenia’s stake will increase to 49%, while the U.S. side’s share will decrease to 51%.

The agreement was signed in June 2026 by Armenian FM Ararat Mirzoyan and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Civil Contract faction MP Artur Hovhannisyan has said that the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) project will be implemented exclusively in Armenia and will not extend to Azerbaijan.

Hovhannisyan made the statement during a press briefing summarizing the four-day session of parliament, responding to a question about why the principle of reciprocity in the movement of people and goods between Armenia and Azerbaijan would not apply under the implementation of TRIPP.

“TRIPP is an agreement signed between Armenia and the United States. TRIPP will not be implemented in Azerbaijan; it will be implemented only in Armenia. The regulations set out in the TRIPP agreement cannot be applied in Azerbaijan, Türkiye or any other country in the world. We are talking about a road passing through the Republic of Armenia, which is what the TRIPP agreement concerns. On the other hand, we are talking about the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. For a considerable period of time, cargo has been transported unimpeded from Armenia through the territory of Azerbaijan, and the same is happening in the opposite direction. Our position that the regulations should be mirrored has in no way been revoked, but all of this has nothing to do with TRIPP. The TRIPP project should be distinguished from the peace agreement initialed between Armenia and Azerbaijan, in which the United States has the status of a witness. Everything will be as stipulated in the signed documents,” Hovhannisyan said.

On October 28, the Armenian parliament 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), with 63 votes in favor. Only lawmakers from the ruling Civil Contract faction voted in favor of ratification.

Under the agreement, a company named TRIPP Development Company will be established, with Armenia holding a 26% stake and the U.S. side holding 74%. The initial term of the agreement is 49 years. If the cooperation is extended for another 50 years by mutual consent of the parties, Armenia’s stake will increase to 49%, while the U.S. side’s share will be 51%.

The agreement was signed in June 2026 by Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

A two-day international expert workshop dedicated to reforms in Armenia’s electricity market is being held in Yerevan under the EU4Energy programme.

The Public Services Regulatory Commission of the Republic of Armenia (PSRC) said in a press release that the event aims to support the practical implementation of ongoing electricity market reforms in Armenia through the exchange of experience with the European Union and its member states, professional dialogue, and discussions on key issues related to sector regulation.

In his opening remarks, PSRC Chairman Mesrop Mesropyan highlighted the importance of the European Union’s support and the exchange of international experience, emphasizing the significance of electricity market liberalization, the regulation of energy storage systems, and the development of the Commission’s institutional capacity in the context of reforms in Armenia’s energy sector.

“It is particularly important for us to ensure that international best practices are not only studied but also adapted to Armenia’s specific circumstances and needs, with a view to ensuring the practical and consistent implementation of reforms. At the same time, the development of energy storage systems and their effective regulation are important for integrating renewable energy and enhancing the flexibility of the electricity system,” Mesropyan said.

Armin Bohm, EU4Energy Resident Expert at the programme’s Armenia Office, also delivered welcoming remarks. He highlighted the effective cooperation established between the European Union and the PSRC, emphasizing the Commission’s key role in the reform of Armenia’s electricity market. He said that expert and technical cooperation supported by the EU contributes to the exchange of European experience, the development of professional capacity, and the advancement of energy sector reforms.

The two-day workshop brings together experts from Hungary, as well as representatives of Armenian government institutions and sectoral regulatory bodies.

During the discussions, Hungarian and international experts are presenting Hungary’s and the European Union’s experience in various aspects of electricity market regulation and management, addressing regulatory and institutional approaches currently in use, as well as opportunities for adapting and applying them in practice in Armenia.

The workshop agenda covers electricity market liberalization; market operations and balancing mechanisms; regulation of energy storage systems; institutional arrangements and capacity building in the energy sector; enforcement of regulatory requirements; cooperation between energy and competition authorities; consumer protection; and the system of guarantees of origin for renewable energy.

The event is being held under the third phase of the EU4Energy programme, within the framework of the initiative titled “Promoting the Clean Energy Transition and Connectivity in the Eastern Partnership Countries.”

The Haypass.am platform has been successfully launched and is operating normally, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has said.

Thousands of citizens have already successfully completed the pre-registration process through the Haypass.am platform and are arriving to receive services, the ministry added.

The biometric data collection process is also proceeding normally. The ministry noted that if individual technical issues arise, a specialized technical team examines and resolves them.

The third Yerevan International Flute Festival is bringing together renowned flutists, musicologists and students from 16 cities across Europe and Asia, further strengthening its place in Armenia’s cultural scene.

Organized through cooperation between The State Philharmonia of Armenia and the Flute Bridges international project, the festival is running from November 1 to 7 and features three concerts, more than 100 masterclasses, lectures and creative meetings.

Speaking at a press conference on November 2, Armen Manassian, General Producer of The State Philharmonia of Armenia, said it was an honor for the institution to host the festival.

“It is gradually developing and expanding. This year, too, we have a constellation of flutists from some of the world’s most prestigious concert halls. Our special guest is world-renowned cellist and now also conductor Narek Hakhnazaryan, who will conduct the KV Art Orchestra at the festival’s opening concert. I hope that this year, too, our country will experience a true celebration of the flute,” he said.

Manassian noted that jazz music would be featured at the festival for the first time, while electronic music would also be performed following one of the concerts.

Festival founder and artistic director Vardan Virabyan also emphasized the high caliber of the participating musicians.

“We have soloists from Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Hungary, France, Kazakhstan, Russia and Armenia. One of the highly anticipated soloists is renowned flutist Vincent Lucas. He is a professor at the Paris Conservatoire and principal flutist of the Orchestre de Paris. The fact that the number of festival participants has increased shows that our festival is well known in Europe and Russia. Many musicians express a strong desire to take part in it every year,” Virabyan said.

He added that even flute festivals with decades of history do not often have the opportunity to organize concerts featuring an orchestra.

According to Virabyan, the festival’s most significant achievement is that leading international musicians are eager to come to Armenia. Some musicians are participating for the third time, while the growing number of participants is another indicator of the festival’s success.

Virabyan said that many people were still unfamiliar with the flute as an instrument, but the organizers were making persistent efforts to promote it. Various flute concerts are organized in Armenia, while an international summer flute school operates in Gyumri, among other initiatives.

Narek Avagyan, a flutist and co-organizer of the festival who also leads the KV Art Orchestra, said rehearsals had already begun and that the organizers were doing their utmost to ensure high-quality concerts.

“As a musician living and teaching in Armenia, I would like to say that the festival is helping increase interest in the flute. Young people are becoming interested in the instrument. The concerts held during previous editions were very important for both established and aspiring flutists. For them, the festival was the first and only opportunity to hear world-class flutists perform live and see what is happening in the international music scene. Interacting with foreign musicians during masterclasses has also helped young people see and understand just how many talented flutists there are. Armenia has become a fairly significant player in the world of flute music. Our festival is being talked about, both openly and behind the scenes,” Avagyan emphasized.

Among this year’s festival participants is flutist Elen Virabyan, who won third prize representing Armenia at the 2026 Eurovision Young Musicians international competition.

She said the festival was very important for Armenia and for musicians who have the opportunity to attend numerous masterclasses and perform alongside renowned artists.

“An event like this does not happen every day. Participants from different countries are very happy to interact with other musicians, exchange experiences and develop their musical skills,” Elen said.

The festival concerts will take place at the Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall of The State Philharmonia of Armenia, while other events will be held at the Philharmonia’s other venues.

The participants include internationally acclaimed flutists Vincent Lucas (France), Silvia Careddu (Italy), Riccardo Cellacchi (Italy), Felix Renggli (Switzerland), Evgeniya Spalinger (Switzerland), Maria Fedotova (Russia), Vasilisa Melnikova (Russia), Zsófia Lázár (Hungary), Benedek Csalog (Hungary), Yerzhan Kushanov (Kazakhstan), Zara Parvanyan (Armenia/Russia), Elen Virabyan (Armenia/Russia), Narek Avagyan (Armenia) and Arman Abrahamyan (Armenia).

One of the festival’s distinctive features is the presentation of less commonly encountered types of flutes. For the first time in Armenia, the bass flute and the Baroque-era flute known as the traverso will be performed. The concert programs will also feature the alto flute and piccolo. Several works will receive their Armenian premieres.

The festival brings together different cultures, performance traditions and generations from East and West. One international publication described it as “a bridge of flutes between Asia and Europe, the West and the East.”