Category: News

The Armenian government approved a pilot program on October 29 to introduce identification-based marking for several groups of goods.

Deputy Chairman of the State Revenue Committee (SRC) Vrezh Mkhitaryan presented the program at a Cabinet meeting, saying the pilot would run from November 1 to 30, 2026, and cover specified food products, including confectionery, semi-finished products, and frozen goods.

Mkhitaryan said the SRC would submit the results of the pilot program’s evaluation to the Prime Minister’s Office within 10 days of its completion.

“These cover five product groups: medical devices, pharmaceutical products, medical supplies and equipment; footwear; home and interior accessories; cameras, auto parts and tires; pyrotechnics, fire safety equipment, toys and bicycles; and clothing and accessories made of natural fur,” Mkhitaryan said.

He emphasized that the pilot program would allow the authorities to test the functionality of marking mechanisms and systems and refine processes during the trial phase, as well as establish effective cooperation among the SRC, the national operator, and businesses.

According to Mkhitaryan, the long-term systemic benefits for the state would include reducing the shadow economy, increasing transparency in the business environment, generating additional tax revenue, obtaining statistical data in real time, and automating cooperation among the regulatory authorities of EAEU member states.

For businesses, the benefits would include ensuring fair competition by curbing the shadow economy and simplifying the export of goods within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) through the use of a single standardized marking label across the union. For consumers, the program would help restrict the circulation of counterfeit and substandard goods, protect public health and consumer rights, and enable consumers to verify products directly through a mobile application, facilitating public oversight.

“Identification-based marking is currently applied in Armenia to tobacco products, as of March 15, 2023; alcoholic beverages, as of October 15, 2023; bottled water, including mineral water, as of May 1, 2024; tea, coffee, oil, fish products, chocolate, pasta, canned goods, juices, beer, and vinegar, as of March 1, 2025; and dairy products, meat products, sausages, animal feed, medicines, vitamins, vaccines, paints, varnishes, cosmetics, personal care products, perfumes, and soap, as of January 1, 2026,” Mkhitaryan said.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan asked whether household appliances and mobile phones were included in the pilot phase. Mkhitaryan replied that household appliances were not yet included, while the pilot program for mobile phones had been completed.

Pashinyan stressed that there was substantial shadow economic activity involving mobile phones and computers, a problem people encounter every day. He said he believed the best way to combat it was to place QR codes on products.

Lilit Stepanyan has been appointed governor of Kotayk Province by a government decision.

Speaking at a Cabinet meeting on October 29, Stepanyan said she was taking on the position with great enthusiasm, a strong sense of responsibility, and a willingness to serve the people.

“I will carry out my duties with honor, even greater responsibility, and dedication, leading my home province. As the Armenian government’s representative in Kotayk Province, I will closely monitor all programs implemented in the province, ensuring that their full scope, substance, and deadlines are observed. I will continue close cooperation with all my colleagues in both the legislative and executive branches for the benefit of the province and its residents. I am confident that, with the support of the province’s political team, the staff of the governor’s office, and my colleagues in the government, we will succeed,” Stepanyan said.

Earlier, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced at a meeting of the Civil Contract party’s board that Stepanyan, a member of the Civil Contract parliamentary faction, would relinquish her seat in the National Assembly and be appointed governor of Kotayk Province.

The parliament has elected Karen Arustamyan as a member of the Audit Chamber in a secret ballot, with 63 MPs voting in favor and 27 against.

Arustamyan was nominated by the Civil Contract faction.

He took the oath of office following his election.

Armenia’s Security Council Secretary Alen Simonyan met with Slovenia’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tone Kajzer on October 29.

According to a readout from Simonyan’s office, the discussions focused on the steady development of Armenia-Slovenia relations, with particular attention to Armenia’s economic diversification and the development of bilateral trade and economic ties.

The sides also discussed other issues of regional interest.

Armenia will introduce a new biometric passport and identification card system on November 1, Minister of Internal Affairs Arpine Sargsyan announced.

“Starting November 1, we will be able to issue the new-format documents to citizens,” she said at a Cabinet meeting, where the relevant decision was adopted.

The new system will involve a private partner and provide documents compliant with European Union standards, Sargsyan said.

“For the first time, a pre-registration system will be introduced, allowing citizens to complete the entire process on a digital platform before visiting the office, from home or any other convenient location. Before allowing entry to the office, the state, represented by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, will conduct a full check of the citizen through the State Population Register. Only after receiving the state’s approval will the person be able to visit the private partner’s office and receive the service,” Sargsyan said.

She added that applicants would receive an email containing a QR code for their office visit as part of the pre-registration process.

The minister also said that payment would be made in full before visiting the office.

“Under the cashless payment system, we will make payments through the platform and then visit the office, where we will only need to provide fingerprints and have our photographs taken at the private partner’s office. That will complete the transaction,” Sargsyan said.

She also highlighted the importance of self-service kiosks, which would allow applicants to complete both processes independently, without interacting with staff, by taking their own photographs and providing their fingerprints.

In response, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that 14 offices would operate across Armenia starting in November, including two in Yerevan. The offices in the capital will be located in shopping malls.

“Those holding biometric passports in Armenia will be able to cross the border without any contact with a border guard. We are already working to enable people with biometric passports to place their passports on a reader at Zvartnots Airport or at border checkpoints and pass through. In other countries, depending also on our bilateral agreements, for example, we could reach an agreement with France or the EU to exchange data. This means that when traveling abroad as well, citizens would cross border checkpoints using biometric passports,” Pashinyan said, adding that this would be of pivotal importance in the visa liberalization process with the EU.

According to Pashinyan, this will open a new chapter in Armenia’s digitalization.

Sargsyan also said that people whose passports or identification cards are still valid may continue using them until their expiration dates. Those who wish to obtain biometric documents before then will have to surrender all their existing documents.

The Cabinet has adopted a decision establishing the procedures for issuing Armenian citizens’ passports and identification cards, refusing their issuance, and providing expedited issuance for an additional fee, including the applicable deadlines and fees. The decision also provides for the involvement of a private partner in the issuance process. According to a government statement, the decision aims to ensure implementation of Part 18 of Article 10 of the Law on Identification Documents by establishing the procedures for issuing and refusing to issue identification documents and clarifying the relevant legal framework and mechanisms.

Sargsyan noted that October 29 and 30 were the final two days of operation of the old system.

An interagency task force established by the decision of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held its regular meeting at the administrative complex of the Ministry of Defense, chaired by Defense Minister Suren Papikyan.

According to the Ministry of Defense, the meeting discussed the task force’s ongoing activities and upcoming measures.

The officials reviewed the work completed and coordinated areas of interagency cooperation and next steps.

The task force was established in August 2026 by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to develop systemic solutions to issues related to suicides and non-statutory relations in the armed forces. It was tasked with developing and submitting relevant proposals within three months.

The Armenian government has introduced a new military service deferment system for citizens with exceptional achievements in education and science.

The Cabinet has adopted a decision to improve the procedure for granting exemptions from compulsory military service to these citizens.

Under the new deferment system established by Point 8 of Article 22 of the Law on Military Service and the Status of Servicemen, beneficiaries must work in Armenia for at least three years after completing their studies in a field designated by the Government.

According to a government press release, receiving a deferment on this basis and fulfilling the requirement to work in Armenia for at least three years will serve as grounds for exemption from compulsory military service.

The proposed regulation aims to prevent citizens from obtaining another ground for exemption from military service during the deferment period and being exempted without fulfilling the employment requirement.

The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 29 October, USD exchange rate down by 0.21 drams to 360.3 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 0.74 drams to 401.7 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.0003 drams to 4.4751 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 1.45 drams to 480.03 drams.

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

Gold price down by 204 drams to 46822 drams. 

Events marking the 150th anniversary of Hrachya Acharian’s birth and the centenary of the start of construction of Yerevan’s Republic Square have taken place at UNESCO headquarters in Paris. Both anniversaries are included in UNESCO’s calendar of anniversaries of eminent personalities and important events for 2026–2027. The events also mark the 35th anniversary of Armenia’s independence.

According to Armenia’s Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, the programme included the opening of a photographic exhibition entitled “The Square and Time: From Past to Future”. Deputy Minister Tigran Virabyan delivered remarks at the opening.

Welcoming those present, the deputy minister stressed that UNESCO’s mission had consistently placed importance on human creativity, cultural diversity and the preservation of historic monuments.

“A century ago, the renowned Armenian architect Alexander Tamanyan created a masterpiece combining Armenian architectural traditions with modern approaches to urban planning. Built from Armenian pink tuff, this ensemble became not only a symbol of the Republic of Armenia’s statehood and independence but also an integral part of the history of world urban planning and architecture, and of cultural heritage,” Virabyan said.

He added that Republic Square, with its exceptional proportions, national spirit and embodiment of collective memory, vividly demonstrated how stone could become history, culture and a platform for dialogue.

The deputy minister said the exhibition was distinctive because it not only presented Republic Square’s 100-year history but also offered an opportunity to discover the creative spirit of contemporary Armenia.

“You can see how Republic Square’s ornamental motifs are also reflected in Armenian traditional costumes and the work of artists in fashion,” Virabyan said.

He explained that this part of the exhibition was presented by the Teryan Cultural Centre, which is implementing the “Culture Is My Way” grant project within the framework of UNESCO’s 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.

The deputy minister reaffirmed Armenia’s commitment to preserving, carefully cherishing and passing this magnificent heritage intact to future generations. He also thanked Armenia’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, represented by Ambassador Aram Hakobyan, and UNESCO’s leadership for the opportunity and support provided to hold the events.

The exhibition runs from 28 October to 2 November. Around 40 photographs tracing Republic Square’s history were selected from the archival collections of the National Archives of Armenia, the History Museum of Armenia, the Chamber of Architects of Armenia, Armenpress news agency and individual photographers. Alongside the photographs, the Teryan Cultural Centre presented Armenian traditional costumes whose decorative motifs were paired with those of Republic Square.

The programme also included a conference entitled “A Life in Science: Hrachya Acharian”, marking the 150th anniversary of the birth of the renowned Armenian studies scholar, linguist and academician. Participants included Deputy Minister Tigran Virabyan, diplomatic representatives accredited to UNESCO, and scholars and students specialising in Armenian studies.

The conference focused on recognising Acharian’s scholarly legacy and his significant contribution to the development of Armenian linguistics. His research into the origins, history and dialects of the Armenian language and its connections with other languages made an important contribution both to Armenian studies and to linguistics worldwide.

The conference was organised at the initiative of the Mesrop Mashtots Matenadaran, with support from the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport.

The programme will conclude with a joint concert by the Hover State Chamber Choir and the Vahagn Hayrapetyan Trio, featuring jazz arrangements of Armenian folk songs.

The anniversary events are organised by the ministry and UNESCO.

At the 43rd session of UNESCO’s General Conference last year, it was decided to include the 150th anniversary of the birth of the eminent Armenian linguist and academician Hrachya Acharian (1876–1953) and the centenary of the start of construction of Yerevan’s Republic Square in 1927 in UNESCO’s calendar of anniversaries of eminent personalities and important events for 2026–2027.

The organisers of Silicon Mountains held an informal meeting with journalists ahead of Silicon Mountains Summit & Expo 2026, taking place in Yerevan on 3–4 November, to present this year’s main themes, new format and speakers. The meeting was organised with support from Ucom, the summit’s platinum partner.

Participants included Ucom CEO Ralph Yirikian; Aram Mkhitaryan, Head of Yandex Armenia and Yango Group’s Regional Head for Central Asia and the Caucasus; Gurgen Mardoyan, Director of the PMI Science Research Centre in Armenia; Nejdeh Hovanessian, EU4Innovation National Coordinator; Luiza Ayvazyan, Head of the Centre for International Private Enterprise’s (CIPE) Armenia Office; Hovik Musayelyan, Director of Synopsys Armenia; Armen Baldryan, President of the Union of ICT Employers and CEO of Unicomp; Eduard Musayelyan, Executive Director of the Union of ICT Employers; and representatives of leading media outlets.

This year’s Silicon Mountains will be held under the theme “Invest in Innovation”, focusing on developing business cooperation, financing technological innovation and opportunities to attract international investment.

The meeting introduced the summit’s main components, international speakers and new features. For the first time, the event will run over two days and include a technology exhibition, allowing start-ups and technology education institutions to present their projects and solutions and establish new business connections.

“Technological development is impossible to imagine without sustained investment. This is not just about funding. Investment in knowledge, human potential, infrastructure and international cooperation is also important. At Ucom, we value platforms such as this, which connect global technology trends with Armenia’s development prospects. We not only introduce the latest technologies but also seek to help create an environment where innovative ideas can become practical solutions,” Ucom CEO Ralph Yirikian said.

“Silicon Mountains 2026 is a meeting place for technology sector leaders, where technology will translate into cooperation at every level: government, business, start-ups and education. This packed two-day agenda and internationally renowned speakers demonstrate that Armenia has the potential to reaffirm its place on the global technology map,” said Eduard Musayelyan, Executive Director of the Union of ICT Employers.

The programme at Dvin Music Hall on 3–4 November includes discussions with international experts, a technology exhibition, start-up presentations, workshops, business meetings, the International Microelectronics Olympiad awards ceremony and the Microelectronics Forum. Another new feature this year is a discussion on women’s leadership in technology, public administration and diplomacy. The event’s various formats will provide opportunities to exchange experience, establish new partnerships and explore investment opportunities.

Silicon Mountains is a technology platform launched in 2019 at the initiative of the Union of ICT Employers. Over the years, it has brought together more than 100 speakers and 10,000 participants. This year’s event is the 11th. It aims to support the development of Armenia’s technology ecosystem, expand international partnerships and create new investment opportunities.

Ucom is supporting the initiative as the summit’s platinum partner for the fourth consecutive year, highlighting the importance of developing Armenia’s technological potential and strengthening international cooperation.