Category: News

Armenian Tourism Chief: Martyred Leader Led Country by Rationality and Pursuit

Arbi Tashjian
ABNA 24, Iran
July 27, 2026

Mikhak Apresyan, the head of Armenian Tourism Federation who traveled to Tehran to pay tributes to the martyred Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei, in an interview with Alwaght News gave a picture of the place of the martyred leader in the eyes of people of Armenia and the massive capacities of the cooperation between Tehran and Yerevan.

ABNA24 – Mikhak Apresyan, the head of Armenian Tourism Federation who traveled to Tehran to pay tributes to the martyred Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei, in an interview with Alwaght News gave a picture of the place of the martyred leader in the eyes of people of Armenia and the massive capacities of the cooperation between Tehran and Yerevan.

Q: What is bringing you to Iran?

Apresyan: I came to Iran to express my condolences and respect to the people of Iran for the martyrdom of the Leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei. This trip for me is not merely an official visit, but a tribute to a nation with whose culture, history, and people I have felt a close connection for many years.

Q: You have cooperation and connection with Iran for years. What picture did this bond give you of the martyred Leader of Iran?

Apresyan: For many years, I have collaborated with Iran in the fields of culture and tourism, and this ongoing connection has given me a deep understanding of Iranian society, Persian culture, as well as the views and conduct of Iran’s leader. Over all these years, I have followed his stances and leadership style, and the news of his martyrdom was deeply moving for me.

What has always mattered to me was the Iranian leader’s perspective and way of thinking, an approach that I see as a reflection of the culture, wisdom, and identity of the Iranian people. The intelligence, foresight, and rationality evident in his decisions have always been worthy of my respect and admiration.

Q: You referred to wisdom. What do you mean?

Apresyan: By wisdom, I mean the historical and cultural legacy of the Iranian nation, a heritage that has been shaped over thousands of years. Iran has always been one of the great centers of science, culture, and civilization, and the people of this land have, at various historical junctures, been able to stand firm against challenges and pressures by drawing on this very cultural heritage.

In my view, the conduct of Iran’s leader was a continuation of this historical tradition, a form of leadership grounded in rationality, an acute understanding of circumstances, and the safeguarding of national interests. This characteristic was also noteworthy to many outside observers.

Q: How was the place of the martyred leader in the eyes of the people of Armenia?

Apresyan: Almost all of the people of Armenia knew and highly respected him. He was a prominent and respected figure to the public opinion of Armenia. He always backed expansion of Iran-Armenia ties and this positive view importantly influenced bilateral relations.

Q: How do you see the future of Tehran-Yerevan relationship?

Apresyan: I consider Iran and Armenia to be neighboring countries with deep historical ties, two nations that have lived alongside each other for thousands of years and have had extensive cultural, social, and economic relations. In my view, the potential for cooperation between the two countries is far greater than its current state, and these relations should be expanded across all fields.

In the cultural sphere, this year we will hold the fifth joint Iran-Armenia cultural festival in Iran. Prominent cultural and artistic figures from both countries will take part in this event, and we hope that this program will further enhance mutual understanding between our two nations.

Q: How do you assess the tourism cooperation between Iran and Armenia?

Apresyan: At present, a considerable number of Iranian citizens travel to Armenia, and likewise, Armenian tourists choose Iran as one of their key destinations. However, I believe the existing potential is far greater than the current level, and the barriers to travel between the two countries should be reduced in order to strengthen people-to-people connections.

Alongside the development of tourism, the establishment and reinforcement of trade corridors between Iran and Armenia also hold strategic importance. Increased tourist exchange, expanded trade, and facilitated transportation can lead to the further consolidation of economic and cultural relations between the two countries and usher in a new chapter in Tehran-Yerevan cooperation. 

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Lawlessness against Gagik Tsarukyan: PAP supporters deliver letter to Iranian

Nahapetian Zhanna
Aysor, Armenia
July 27, 2026

Teammates and supporters of Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) leader Gagik Tsarukyan delivered a letter to the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Armenia. After the letter was delivered, PAP member Arman Abovyan said that a high-ranking embassy official had assured them that the embassy was following the developments surrounding Gagik Tsarukyan.

“We received assurances that this case will be under the attention of the Islamic Republic of Iran and that they will remain consistent in this matter,” Abovyan said.

Before delivering the letter, PAP spokesperson Iveta Tonoyan said that a number of letters concerning Gagik Tsarukyan’s arrest had been sent to various embassies, and that they had decided to personally deliver the PAP’s letter to the Iranian ambassador.

“It is unacceptable to us that the centuries-old friendly relations between Armenia and Iran are being jeopardized because of two Iranian citizens – fraudsters and swindlers. Gagik Tsarukyan has always advocated strengthening Armenian-Iranian economic, cultural, trade and political ties and has done everything possible to develop and strengthen relations between the two countries. This is a false and unfounded accusation, on the basis of which Gagik Tsarukyan was arrested. It also has certain motives, and certain people and forces are clearly behind it, aiming to worsen Armenian-Iranian relations. Mr. Ambassador, there is a legal lawlessness against Tsarukyan,” the PAP leader’s spokesperson said.

After the letter was handed over, PAP supporters held a demonstration in front of the Iranian Embassy in Yerevan in support of Gagik Tsarukyan.

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Pashinyan asks Putin to take measures to resolve restrictions on Armenian expo

Emil Karabekian
Aysor, Armenia
July 27, 2026

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Armenian government’s press service reported.

The official statement reads:

“The interlocutors exchanged views on the agenda of Armenia-Russia relations, particularly on issues arising in bilateral economic relations.

Prime Minister Pashinyan emphasized that the restrictions on the export of goods of Armenian origin to the Russian market contradict the Armenia-Russia legal framework and the regulations of the Eurasian Economic Union, and asked that measures be taken to resolve these issues.

Regarding the holding of a referendum in Armenia on the country’s accession to the European Union, as stated in the joint statement adopted on May 29 by the leaders of the four EAEU member states, Prime Minister Pashinyan emphasized that holding such a referendum is practically possible only after Armenia submits an official application for EU membership to the European Union and the issue becomes substantive. At the same time, Prime Minister Pashinyan emphasized the readiness of the government of the Republic of Armenia to resolve the aforementioned issues through an open, partnership-based, and friendly dialogue.”

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Turkish Press: Referendum on Armenia’s EU accession ‘practically possible’ on

Babken Chilingarian
Anadolu Agency, Turkey
July 27, 2026
In phone call with Russia’s president, Armenia’s prime minister recalls joint statement adopted following Eurasian Economic Union leaders meeting in May
Burc Eruygur
27 July 2026


ISTANBUL

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Monday told Russian President Vladimir Putin that a referendum on his country’s accession to the EU is possible only after Yerevan submits an official bid to join the 27-member union.

“Prime Minister Pashinyan emphasized that holding a referendum is practically possible only after Armenia submits an official application to the European Union for EU membership and makes the topic substantive,” a statement by Pashinyan’s office said after a phone call between Pashinyan and Putin.

The statement said Pashinyan’s remarks came with regards to the topic of holding such a referendum in Armenia, which it said is also written in a joint statement adopted after a Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) leaders meeting in May.

Following the EAEU meeting in the Kazakh capital Astana on May 29, the Russian president, as well as the presidents of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, said in a joint statement that they shared the need to hold a nationwide referendum in the South Caucasus nation on EU accession or continued EAEU membership “as soon as possible.”

The EAEU was formed under a treaty signed in May 2014 that entered into force in January 2015. Its members are Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia. The economic union also includes four observer states, i.e. Cuba, Iran, Moldova, and Uzbekistan.

While Armenia remains a member of the EAEU since 2015, Pashinyan’s government has deepened ties with the EU and repeatedly declared its intention to pursue closer integration with Western institutions.

Meanwhile, Russian officials have warned that such a course could jeopardize the country’s participation in the Russian-led EAEU and lead to the loss of a range of economic preferences.

The statement on the phone call also said that an exchange of views took place on the agenda of Armenia-Russia ties, particularly on problems emerging in bilateral economic relations.

Pashinyan “emphasized that restrictions on the export of goods of Armenian origin to the Russian market contradict the Armenia-Russia legal framework and the regulations of the Eurasian Economic Union, and asked to take measures to resolve these issues.”

“At the same time, Prime Minister Pashinyan emphasized the readiness of the Government of the Republic of Armenia to resolve the aforementioned issues through open, partnership-based and friendly dialogue,” the statement added.

Separately, the Kremlin in separate statement said Putin reaffirmed his commitment to the EAEU joint statement adopted in May.

“It was notably emphasised that Armenia needed to promptly hold a national referendum on whether the country should join the EU or remain in the EAEU,” the readout said.

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Documentary: My Armenian Phantoms

Khoyetsian Rose
The Streamable
July 27, 2026
2025 Documentary · 1h 15m

A tender posthumous letter to Tamara’s father, who was a film actor in Soviet Armenia. She already watched him on TV as a child before later establishing herself as a filmmaker. A captivating sleepwalk through the landscapes of Armenian film history.

We’ve found that the cheapest way to watch My Armenian Phantoms is currently with a subscription to Film Movement Plus for only $5.99 / month, after a 7-Day Free Trial.

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Ancient Assyrian artefacts unearthed in Armenia

Talar Tumanian
July 27, 2026

An ancient collection of bronze cups dating back over 2,600 years has been discovered at Karmir Blur. These extraordinary artefacts are linked to the ancient kingdom of Urartu, which is believed to correspond to the biblical Mount Ararat. These ancient dynasties are regarded by the Armenian people as part of their national identity.

by Vladimir Rozanskji.

  • Armenia

July 27, 2026

Yerevan (AsiaNews) – The largest collection of cups from the Urartian period (between the 9th and 6th centuries BC) has been discovered at Karmir Blur, near the Armenian capital Yerevan. Scientists have uncovered depictions of lions, temples and cuneiform script on the bronze cups of the Urartian kings, as reported in a feature by News-Armenia. The bronze cups bearing the names of the Urartian kings may not only have been utensils for the elite, but also a means of demonstrating power, divine legitimacy and dynastic succession; this is the conclusion reached by the authors of a new study.

The Kingdom of Urartu (Biainili in Urartian) was an ancient kingdom in Armenia, situated between Asia Minor, Mesopotamia and the Caucasus, centred around Lake Van – now in eastern Turkey – and therefore also referred to as the ‘Kingdom of Van’, which lasted from 860 to 585 BC. The name Urartu corresponds to the biblical Ararat, and was given to the kingdom by its most bitter enemies to the south, the Assyrians; it derives from the Akkadian dialect and means ‘Land of Mountains’.

The indigenous name was Biainili, which was the original name of Lake Van. Some scholars believe that the Ararat of the Old Testament is a variant of the Akkadian Urartu: indeed, Mount Ararat was situated right within Urartian territory, some 120 km north of its ancient capital. It should also be noted that in the Old Testament, ‘Ararat’ was also used to refer to an ancient kingdom situated to the north of Mesopotamia; similarly, the earliest Armenian chronicles from the 5th–7th centuries state that the original name of Armenia was ‘land of Ararad’. The variations may derive from the Armenian Ayrarat, which means ‘land of the brave’ and ‘land of the Armenians’.

Archaeologists have studied over 100 vases dating from the period between the late 9th and early 7th centuries BC, associated with rulers such as Sarduri I and kings named Rusa. The largest collection was discovered at Karmir-Blur, on the site of the ancient Urartian city and fortress of Teišebaini in Yerevan, as reported by Arkeonews, citing a study published in the journal Antiquity. The inner surface of the bowls is engraved with short cuneiform inscriptions listing the names of the rulers; the researchers have reconstructed the changes in the inscriptions, engraving techniques and royal symbolism.

The earliest examples reflect a strong Assyrian influence, but over time the Urartian craftsmen developed their own tradition. The vessels began to feature images of a roaring lion’s head and a tower surmounted by a spear, which the researchers interpret as a Susi temple. The lion symbolised strength and royal power, whilst the temple associated the ruler with sacred authority. The authors of the study suggest that the bowls may have been used at court, during ceremonies or religious rites, and their concentration at Karmir-Blur may have been an attempt to preserve the memory of the royal dynasty during the period of instability and in the final decades of Urartu’s existence.

According to the researchers, these vessels served as material vehicles of royal ideology: the combination of the sovereign’s name, cuneiform inscriptions, symbols, precious metals and high-quality craftsmanship transformed them into distinctive statements of power and dynastic succession. In Armenia, these ancient artefacts arouse great interest not only among scholars but also amongst the general population, who regard their national identity as rooted precisely in the existence of ancient kingdoms such as that of the Urartu, the ancestors of the Armenians across vast territories now divided into various nations.

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Palestinian-Armenian DJ Nanoos detained in Manchester on terrorism accusations

Jalatian Sonya
RA
July 27, 2026

Palestinian-Armenian DJ Nanoos detained in Manchester on terrorism accusations

Benny Sun

  • The Chicago-based artist has launched a fundraiser to assist with costs associated with her detainment.
  • Palestinian-Armenian DJ Nanoos was detained in Manchester on accusations of terrorism following an incident described as a “right-wing demonstration.”
    The incident took place on July 18th, the day after the Chicago-based artist headlined a Pardee Bass event at Northern Quarter venue Soup. Wearing a keffiyeh, Nanoos allegedly engaged with a gathering she believed to be a vigil for Iranian victims of war, but turned out to be a right-wing demonstration, per a statement she shared to Instagram yesterday. She was then detained for 11 hours by Greater Manchester Police on accusations of terrorism. Her phone remains confiscated by the police.
    The artist was told she couldn’t leave the country until she reported back to the police the following week on July 25th. When she returned to the station, she was told there had been no movement on the case, and while she was free to leave the country, her phone was not returned. (Resident Advisor has reached out to Nanoos and Greater Manchester Police for comment.)
    Nanoos has launched a fundraiser, which has since raised over $5,000, to cover lost travel expenses and gig fees, costs of staying in Manchester and future legal fees as the investigation continues. She was previously set to continue her European tour through Edinburgh, Glasgow and Berlin.
    “I never thought something like this would happen to me,” she wrote on her donation page. “And although DJing looks glamorous, the income is really rough, and there’s no safety net when everything falls apart at once.”
    Read the post in full.

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Pashinyan has phone conversation with French president

Hambardsumian Paul
Commonspace.eu
July 27, 2026

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held a phone conversation with President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, President Macron once again congratulated Prime Minister Pashinyan on his victory in the parliamentary elections and wished him success in his future work.

The two leaders discussed issues related to the Armenia-France strategic partnership agenda, reaffirming their mutual readiness to consistently develop bilateral relations and expand cooperation.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan thanked President Macron for France’s continued support for Armenia’s democratic reform agenda.

The Prime Minister also underscored the importance of deepening bilateral trade and economic cooperation and expanding Armenia’s export opportunities.

The sides also discussed the process of deepening the Armenia-European Union partnership, as well as regional and international issues.

The peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan was also discussed. Both sides underscored the importance of establishing lasting and sustainable peace in the South Caucasus.

source:commonspace.eu with Armenpress (Yerevan) and agencies

https://www.commonspace.eu/news/pashinyan-has-phone-conversation-french-president

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Recognition of Armenian Genocide belongs to Israel, not to one government – op

Nahapetian Samvel
The Jerusalem Post
July 27, 2026

The Knesset’s postponement need not be a setback. If the next parliament completes the process, recognition of the Armenian Genocide should be completed in order to do the right thing.

ByNADAV TAMIRJULY 27, 2026 20:00

The Israeli government’s decision to recognize the Armenian Genocide had begun to remove an unnecessary burden from the relationship between two ancient peoples whose histories have long echoed one another. The hope was that the Knesset would give that decision permanent legislative form, but the dissolution of the Knesset – combined, perhaps, with pressure from outside parties – has postponed that final parliamentary step.

For Armenians and their Israeli friends like myself, this is naturally disappointing – but we of all people know that history rarely advances in a straight line, especially in democracies. What matters is not that recognition has been delayed but that it has already crossed a threshold from which there should be no return.

The unanimous decision of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government last month represented the culmination of decades during which Israeli presidents, ministers, members of Knesset, scholars, writers, Holocaust survivors, and civil society leaders argued that recognizing the Armenian Genocide was consistent with Israel’s deepest moral traditions.

Governments changed, regional alliances shifted, and strategic calculations evolved, yet the conviction that historical truth deserved official recognition – from the Jewish state most of all – steadily gained strength. That threshold was crossed, and the remaining task is to anchor that historic decision permanently in parliamentary law.

An opportunity for the government

There is, in fact, an opportunity hidden within this delay. If recognition is completed after Israelis elect a new Knesset, whatever its political composition, it will be harder than ever to portray it as the initiative of one government or the product of one diplomatic moment. It will instead become what it should always have been: the considered judgment of the State of Israel, representing the people who suffered the most horrendous genocide of all.

Whoever forms Israel’s next government should therefore regard completion of this process as unfinished national business. If the current government remains in office, it should complete the work it began, demonstrating that its decision was never intended as a passing political gesture but as a lasting affirmation of historical truth.

If Israeli voters entrust another coalition with governing, recognition would offer an early opportunity to demonstrate that fidelity to historical truth transcends changes in political leadership.

Indeed, an opposition coalition based on moderation and openness to the world should be determined to complete the task. Different governments may arrive there for different reasons, but they should arrive at the same destination.

The significance for Israel

That would matter not only for Armenia but for Israel itself.

Israel has long asked the international community to understand that confronting historical truth is not an act of political convenience but a moral responsibility. The struggle against Holocaust denial has always rested upon the conviction that memory cannot be subordinated to temporary interests or diplomatic expediency. That principle, when applied to the Armenian experience, is strengthened by consistency.

Israel faces profound threats, yet democracies reveal their deepest character in the way they preserve enduring principles amid crises.

Armenia did not make recognition a precondition for friendship with Israel, even during the many years when successive Israeli governments concluded that strategic considerations pointed elsewhere. Armenians continued to believe that the relationship between our peoples rested upon something more enduring than the calculations of any particular moment. That belief remains justified today.

Jews and Armenians understand one another in ways that few nations can. Both preserved ancient civilizations through centuries without sovereignty. Both endured persecution while refusing to surrender their identities. Both know that memory is not simply about the past but about safeguarding human dignity in the future.

When the next Knesset convenes, regardless of which parties occupy the government benches or the opposition, it should complete the journey – not for the sake of one government or another, nor even primarily for Armenia, but because historical truth deserves the imprimatur of the State of Israel.

The writer is J Street-Israel’s executive director. He has served as an Israeli diplomat in Washington and Boston and as a political adviser to the president of Israel.

https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-903685

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Armenian-Russian Export Dispute: A Test of Alliances

Nahapetian Samvel
DevDiscourse
July 27, 2026

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has requested assistance from Russian President Vladimir Putin in resolving trade restrictions imposed by Russia on Armenian exports. This geopolitical tension is further strained by Armenia’s potential European Union aspirations, which Moscow views as a threat to the Eurasian Economic Union’s integrity.

Key Takeaways

AI Summary

  • Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has sought Russian President Vladimir Putin’s help to address trade restrictions impacting Armenian exports.
  • Pashinyan claims the punitive measures imposed by Russia violate existing agreements with Moscow and the Eurasian Economic Union.
  • Armenian-Russian relations are strained due to Armenia’s increasing pro-Western stance and recent trade bans on Armenian goods by Russia.
  • Putin proposed a national referendum on Armenia’s EU membership aspirations, while Pashinyan emphasized dialogue to resolve ongoing disputes.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has requested intervention from Russian President Vladimir Putin to resolve trade restrictions affecting Armenian exports. During a phone call, Pashinyan expressed concern about the punitive measures, claiming they were a violation of existing agreements with Moscow and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) mandates.

Armenian-Russian relations have been further strained by Yerevan’s growing pro-Western orientation. Russia recently imposed trade restrictions, including bans on several Armenian goods. In response, Putin suggested that Armenia’s EU membership aspirations be subjected to a national referendum.

Pashinyan reaffirmed Armenia’s commitment to resolving disputes through dialogue despite these tensions. His government’s recent re-election, which defeated pro-Russian opposition, signifies a shift in national policy that could potentially lead to Armenia’s suspension from the EAEU. Russia remains a vital trade partner, comprising 35% of Armenia’s foreign trade last year.

(With inputs from agencies.)

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