Category: News

The 23rd Golden Apricot Yerevan International Film Festival will take place from July 12 to 19.

According to the festival’s press office, this year’s edition will once again feature competition films from around the world, as well as selections from major international festivals, including Cannes and Berlin.

Prominent figures from the global film industry are expected to visit Armenia to share their experience and present their work to audiences.

Further details about the festival will be announced at a later stage.

Several streets in Yerevan will be temporarily closed between May 2 and 5 due to protocol events related to the 8th European Political Community (EPC) Summit, Armenia’s police said.

May 2 (07:30-13:00)

Traffic will be closed on:

• The section from Victory Bridge to Athens Street
• The route from Kirk Kerkorian Street toward Tsitsernakaberd Highway
• Republic Square
• Abovyan Street (from Sayat-Nova Avenue to Republic Square)
• Sections leading to Victory Bridge from Mashtots Avenue and Grigor Lusavorich Street
• Grigor Lusavorich Street from the Agatangeghos-Grigor Lusavorich-Arshakunyats Avenue junction
• The section from Shahumyan Square to Beirut Street
• Azatutyan Avenue (from Babayan Street to the Saralanj bypass)

Traffic will be periodically restricted on Isakov Avenue.

May 3

From 09:30 to 19:30 – traffic will be periodically restricted on Isakov Avenue toward the city center from Zvartnots International Airport

From 18:00 to 20:00 – the Leo-Dzorap section will be closed

From 18:00 to 19:30 – closures will apply to: 

• Republic Square and access roads from Amiryan-Zaqyan and Sayat-Nova-Abovyan intersections
• Grigor Lusavorich Street (from Mashtots Avenue, Zaqyan Street, and the Agatangeghos-Lusavorich-Arshakunyats junction)
• The section from Shahumyan Square to Beirut Street
• Azatutyan Avenue (Babayan Street to Saralanj bypass)

From 18:00 to 23:00 – traffic restrictions on:

• Sections from Baghramyan Avenue toward Proshyan and Demirchyan Streets
• The section from the Paronyan-Dzorap junction to Proshyan Street

May 4

From 07:00 to 19:00 – closures on:

• The section from Victory Bridge to Athens Street
• The route from Kirk Kerkorian Street to Tsitsernakaberd Highway

From 07:00 to 10:30 – additional closures on: 

• Republic Square
• Abovyan Street (Sayat-Nova Avenue to Republic Square)
• Sections from Mashtots Avenue and Grigor Lusavorich Street toward Victory Bridge
• Grigor Lusavorich Street from the Agatangeghos-Lusavorich–Arshakunyats junction
• The section from Shahumyan Square to Beirut Street
• Azatutyan Avenue (Babayan Street to Saralanj bypass)

May 5

From 08:00 to 12:00 – closures on:

• All streets leading into Republic Square
• The section from Shahumyan Square to Victory Bridge
• Athens Street, Tsitsernakaberd Highway, Mashtots Avenue, Sayat-Nova Avenue, Abovyan Street, Baghramyan Avenue

From 16:30 to 17:30 – traffic restrictions on: 

• Baghramyan Avenue, Orbeli Street, Kievyan Street, Halabyan Street

Traffic will also be periodically restricted on Isakov Avenue toward Zvartnots Airport.

Police urge the public to follow official instructions and apologize for any inconvenience caused.

Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan has issued a congratulatory message on the occasion of International Workers’ Day.

In his message, President said: “I congratulate us all on May 1, International Workers’ Day. This holiday is another opportunity to emphasise the important role of work in the development of our state and public life. The progress of any country is based on the responsible and conscientious work of individuals, which ensures both the well-being of families and the strengthening of statehood.

The diligence and creative potential of our people have historically been the main guarantee of our survival and progress. Today, in a period full of challenges, it is through consistent work that we create new value and strengthen the economic foundations of our country.

I express my gratitude to all those who carry out their duties with daily dedication, contributing to the development of our country. Special appreciation is due to those who act with a high sense of responsibility even in difficult and demanding situations.

Once again congratulating you on this occasion, I wish health, success and prosperity to all our families.”

Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia Alen Simonyan has sent a congratulatory message on the occasion of International Labour Day and Solidarity of Workers. In his message, Alen SImonyan said:

“I congratulate us all on the occasion of International Labour Day and Solidarity of Workers. This day symbolises the value of work, human creative power, and the contribution that every worker makes to the development of their state.

Work is not only a vital necessity for meeting each of our personal needs, but also the foundation of social progress and prosperity. When the citizen works, the economy develops, ensuring the progress of the state.

Our authorities have created an environment in which work is valued more dignifiedly, and where workers are more protected and encouraged than before the 2018 Velvet Revolution. However, this does not mean that we have no further tasks in this direction. Together, we must continue to build a fair, developing state full of opportunities, where every person’s work will have visible results and real value.

Work is the only key to a prosperous life.

Once again, I congratulate all workers on this occasion and wish them professional success and the acquisition of new knowledge.”

Human Rights Defender of Armenia Anahit Manasyan has sent a congratulatory message on the occasion of International Workers’ Day and Solidarity of Workers.

In her message, the Human Rights Defender said:

“I congratulate you on May 1, International Workers’ Day and Solidarity of Workers. This symbolic day is an opportunity to reassess the role of work in each of our lives and once again emphasise the importance of protecting labour rights.

Despite the steps taken, many systemic issues remain in the field of ensuring labour rights in our country. Studies conducted by the staff of the Human Rights Defender and the complaints received show that particular attention is needed to ensure safe and decent working conditions, the full realisation of the right to rest, as well as the guarantee of fair and adequate remuneration, including for overtime work.

Problems also persist in ensuring equal opportunities in the labour market. More targeted steps are needed to promote women’s employment. Particular attention is also required to ensure an inclusive and accessible working environment for persons with disabilities, as well as to take appropriate steps to guarantee their employment.

It is a key obligation of the state to create a working environment where equality, safety and dignity are ensured, and where every individual has the opportunity to fully realise their potential.

Ensuring the right to strike and removing existing legislative and practical obstacles in this regard is also a priority issue.

At the same time, it is necessary to continuously improve oversight mechanisms for ensuring labour rights and to raise awareness among both employees and employers.

I wish you effective and productive work in decent and safe conditions, emphasising consistent and visible progress in the protection of labour rights.”

European Parliament’s Standing Rapporteur on Armenia, MEP Miriam Lexmann, has said there is a historic opportunity to strengthen relations between Armenia and the European Union.

Lexmann wrote about this on X, referring to the European Parliament’s adopted resolution on supporting Armenia’s democratic resilience.

“We have a historic opportunity to strengthen EU-Armenia relations, bolster reforms and support regional peace. This is a crucial moment that requires the European Union’s commitment and support in words and in concrete deeds,” Lexmann wrote.

At the European Parliament plenary session on 30 April, a resolution on Armenia was adopted, reaffirming support for Armenia’s democratic development, the peace process, and reforms aimed at European integration. The resolution was adopted with 476 votes in favour, 47 against, and 48 abstentions.

Armenia’s Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan has commented on Russia’s decision to ban the sale of certain batches of mineral water produced by the “Jermuk Group” company, saying he does not see any political context in the move. He made the remarks during a press briefing with journalists on the sidelines of a parade dedicated to International Workers’ Day.

“We must ensure the quality standards of goods exported from our country. I personally believe that ‘Jermuk’ is of high quality and meets all standards, and I have no doubt that the issue will be resolved,” the minister said.

On 28 April, it became known that Russia had banned the sale of certain batches of Armenian “Jermuk” mineral water in both online and offline stores. The decision to suspend sales was based on a letter from Russia’s consumer watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor, which cited the need to take urgent measures to prevent a possible threat to the life and health of Russian citizens. The stated reason for the suspension was a violation of mandatory requirements. The ban applies to water produced between 17 February 2026 and March 2026.

Armenia has six grandmasters in the International Chess Federation’s (FIDE) May rankings.

In the men’s standings, Shant Sargsyan is ranked 74th, Hayk Martirosyan 89th, and Aram Hakobyan 92nd. The list is topped by Magnus Carlsen.

In the women’s rankings, Armenia is represented by Elina Danielian (51st), Lilit Mkrtchian (78th), and Mariam Mkrtchian (79th), while Hou Yifan leads the table.

Former leader of Armenia’s men’s national team Levon Aronian, now competing under the United States flag, is ranked 23rd.

The European Commission has provided details of the first European Union–Armenia summit to be held in Yerevan on May 4-5.

According to a statement published on the Commission’s website, the summit marks significant progress in relations between Armenia and the European Union, reaffirming the bloc’s strong commitment to Armenia’s sovereignty, resilience and reform agenda.

The meeting will be attended by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President António Costa. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas will also take part.

During the summit, leaders will discuss recent progress in bilateral relations and seek to strengthen cooperation, particularly in the areas of economy, connectivity and security. They will also address joint efforts aimed at reinforcing stability in the South Caucasus, as well as regional and global developments, including in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Following the meeting, a partnership in the field of connectivity will be launched, covering cooperation in transport, energy, digital development and people-to-people contacts, supported by high-level dialogues on connectivity and transport. This will be complemented by initiatives to mobilise European Union private investment in Armenia.

“Both sides will take concrete steps to deepen cooperation in the field of security and defence, including through the establishment of a new European Union partnership mission in Armenia,” the statement said.

A working arrangement between Armenia’s Interior Ministry and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX) is also set to be signed as part of the outcomes.

“The first European Union-Armenia summit demonstrates the tangible benefits of EU-Armenia cooperation and the European Union’s commitment to promoting peace and prosperity in the South Caucasus,” the statement said, adding that a joint press conference by the leaders is expected after the summit.

False information has been circulated on the social media platform X using the logo of Armenpress News Agency.

Textual content bearing no relation to reality was published by a user named WollyBee and paired with a video featuring footage of Armenia’s Prime Minister, as well as clips from various interviews with the Prime Minister’s spokesperson, all presented under the Armenpress logo.

The post was tagged with the accounts of Armenpress, other Armenian news outlets, as well as France 24 and Deutsche Welle.

Armenpress urges readers to verify any information published under its name through its official website and social media pages. In the face of growing volumes of disinformation and manipulation, relying on primary sources remains a key element of responsible media consumption.