Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said the country’s police reform programme has delivered results once considered unrealistic, highlighting major upgrades in patrol services and technical capacity.

Speaking at a ceremonial session marking the 108th anniversary of Armenia’s police, Pashinyan said the transformation of the patrol service, including modern equipment, vehicles and operational systems had once seemed unrealistic.

“When we launched police reforms, it seemed almost impossible to imagine a fully equipped patrol service with modern technology, vehicles and structured development across key areas,” he said.

“At the time, it felt distant and unlikely. Today, that has become a reality, and we must now focus on further development,” he added.

Pashinyan stressed that reform of the police system must remain an ongoing and continuous process, requiring consistent, day-to-day effort.

Armenian Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan and his delegation are participating in the 152nd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Istanbul, Türkiye.

Simonyan held brief talks with a number of his counterparts from around the world.

In particular, photos released by the parliament’s press service show Simonyan talking with his Russian and Azerbaijani counterparts, Valentina Matviyenko and Sahiba Gafarova, respectively.

Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Alen Simonyan, who is in Istanbul on a working visit, delivered a speech at the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). 

The full speech is presented below:

”Madam President,

Mr. Secretary General,

Excellencies,

Fellow parliamentarians,

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is an honour to accept the gracious invitation of Türkiye and address the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) on behalf of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia. As we discuss the theme, Nurturing Hope, Securing Peace, and Ensuring Justice for Future Generations, I would like to observe that the importance of this topic cannot be overstated. Let me say an obvious truth: a flourishing present and future are built on a foundation of hope, peace, and justice.

For Armenia, this notion informs our policies and impels our actions. We strive for a future in which everyone shares the same opportunities for social and economic prosperity.

But who can only dream about a better future, and who can actually create it? Future generations cannot construct the world they will inherit. At best, they can only entrust us to act prudently on their behalf.

Hope sustains our passion for justice and our capacity to trust. Our actions today must serve to build that trust. The coming generations need to believe that the peace we build today will endure.

Make no mistake. The fractures in our world are deep and severe. We are profoundly troubled by the situation in Iran, and my prayers go out to the Iranian people. The crisis in Lebanon cannot be ignored. To be sure, the test we face is formidable. Yet, who but us has the power – and the moral obligation – to heal our world?

Armenia fully accepts its responsibility.

Following the 2025 agreement signed by the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the US, peace has prevailed in our region, marking a truly monumental achievement. But our vision is grander. We invite Türkiye to be a partner and join us in weaving a tapestry of peace. To this end, we are eager to deepen our relationship with Türkiye.

After decades of suspicion and ill will, a new era of confidence-building between Armenia and Azerbaijan has dawned. Efforts to consolidate this progress are now focused on strengthening communication and ensuring that peace is effectively translated into concrete realities on the ground.

The recent implementation of the framework for the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) represents another milestone. This initiative aims to both create regional connectivity and expand international trade routes.

Based on the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and jurisdiction, the TRIPP has the potential to promote stability, economic cooperation, and prosperity across the South Caucasus and beyond.

Encouraging signs of normalization are unmistakable. For the first time in years, trade between Armenia and Azerbaijan is beginning to emerge. The recent import of Azerbaijani goods into Armenia marks a symbolic and practical step toward rebuilding economic ties. These are the dividends of peace – tangible improvements that directly benefit our people.

At the same time, serious humanitarian issues remain and must be resolved.To continue building trust and achieve genuine reconciliation, the 19 Armenians still detained in Azerbaijan should be released and reunited with their families, and the fate of other missing persons should be clarified.

Colleagues,

Now is the time to set priorities, and, for the sake of posterity, we must choose them wisely. Who, let us not forget, are the succeeding generations? They are our children and grandchildren. It is our solemn duty to be worthy of them by leaving a legacy not of war but of peace.”

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan spoke by phone on Thursday with his Romanian counterpart, Oana-Silvia Țoiu.

According to a readout from the Armenian ministry, the two FMs discussed initiatives aimed at deepening the Armenia–EU partnership, emphasizing mutual readiness to advance cooperation in sectoral areas.

They also addressed participation in high-level events scheduled to take place in Yerevan in early May.

The sides underscored the importance of ongoing efforts to further enrich the bilateral agenda. Ararat Mirzoyan and Oana-Silvia Țoiu exchanged views on regional developments. The ministers highlighted their interest in the implementation of economic and transport connectivity projects, as well as the potential benefits they could bring.

Minister of Internal Affairs Arpine Sargsyan highlighted that Armenia is currently the only country with which the EU is engaged in a visa liberalization dialogue.

Speaking in parliament, Sargsyan ruled out the possibility that eventual visa liberalization could lead to emigration, crediting peace and reforms.

“Armenia is the only country with which the European Union is currently conducting an active visa liberalization dialogue. Armenia is also the only country that, within a record period after the launch of the dialogue, has received an action plan. I must note that this plan also covers areas that are already on the Government’s reform agenda. This includes migration, asylum issues, public security, human rights, integrated border management, and the fight against organized crime, among others. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has a coordinating role, and I must note that the first assessment report will be available in May, and I am confident that we will jointly achieve positive results,” the minister said.

According to the minister, a constant question arises in this context as to whether there is concern that visa liberalization could lead to a risk of emigration to European Union countries.

“I want to state with confidence that Armenia has no such concern, because it is precisely as a result of peace established in Armenia, as well as sectoral reforms, that emigration has turned into return migration. Under the careful maintenance of these conditions, return migration trends will, without a doubt, continue to increase,” said Arpine Sargsyan.

In 2025, for the first time in decades, more citizens entered the Republic of Armenia than left, highlighting a reversal in migration trends.

Armenian Minister of Internal Affairs Arpine Sargsyan told lawmakers on Thursday that the development of the biometric passport system in Armenia is in full swing and that the rollout is expected in the autumn of this year.

“We are planning breakthrough development solutions here, because the entire passport system has long been quite outdated, and the level of personal data protection is also rather low. These solutions should allow us to guarantee a completely new biometric system in the Republic of Armenia by the autumn of 2026,” the minister said in parliament.

She also noted that work on the overall design and security features of the passport is in its final stage. “I hope that in the coming days we will be able to present the passport design to the public,” the minister said.

About 5.7 million passengers were served by Armenia’s airports in 2025, representing a 7.5% increase compared to the previous year.

Of the 5.7 million passengers, 1.3 million were served by Armenian airlines, Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Davit Khudatyan told lawmakers while presenting a report on 2025. 

As part of the government’s support program, Wizz Air, one of the largest EU low-cost airlines, established a base at Yerevan’s airport in October 2025.

During the same period, scheduled flights were operated by 48 airlines across 67 destinations. Ten new destinations were launched, including a route from Gyumri’s Shirak Airport to Larnaca. The minister also said the government plans to further expand the range of destinations, including additional flights from Gyumri.

The Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Cyprus, in cooperation with the Cyprus Travel Writers and Journalists Society, hosted an event presenting Armenia an award as the “Destination of 2026,” the embassy said.

The event brought together representatives of travel agencies and tour operators, travel bloggers, media representatives and influencers, officials and other stakeholders from the tourism sector.

In her remarks, Ambassador Inna Torgomyan highlighted the significance of the award and expressed appreciation for the recognition, noting that it provides an important opportunity to further promote Armenia’s visibility as an attractive and competitive tourism destination.

Armenia’s rich cultural heritage, historical landmarks, and tourism potential were presented through visual materials and publications, offering attendees a comprehensive overview of the country’s diverse travel experiences.During the event, guests were introduced to a variety of traditional dishes representing Armenian cuisine.

The cultural programme was further enriched by a musical performance from the renowned Cypriot-Armenian artist Hovig.

Armenian Ombudsperson Anahit Manasyan received the delegation of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe.

The delegation included the Congress’s co-rapporteurs on Armenia, Jonathan Denis (United Kingdom) and Katrien Partyka (Belgium), as well as Congress Secretary Stéphanie Poirel and expert Tania Groppi.

The meeting took place within the framework of a monitoring visit carried out by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, aimed at assessing the implementation of the European Charter of Local Self-Government in the Republic of Armenia, according to a readout from Manasyan’s office.

Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan emphasized the importance of such meetings in terms of strengthening democratic institutions and developing effective cooperation, presenting the mandate and main areas of activity of the Human Rights Defender’s Office.

During the discussion, a number of key issues related to the functioning of the local self-government system were addressed. In this context, Manasyan noted that she regularly conducts regional visits, meets with residents of rural communities, and listens to their concerns, which are summarized in the Ombudsperson’s annual report.

The meeting also addressed issues related to the protection of rights by local self-government bodies and ensuring inclusiveness within local authorities. Manasyan highlighted the importance of adequate representation of national minorities, women, and persons with disabilities in local self-government bodies, as well as the need to expand their opportunities for participation in local governance.

She also presented the observations of the Human Rights Defender’s Office, based on applications received from citizens, monitoring activities, and the results of regional visits. The Ombudsperson stressed that the effectiveness of local self-government has a direct impact on the realization of human rights, particularly in terms of accessibility of social services, development of community infrastructure, and ensuring an adequate quality of life for the population.

The meeting also focused on issues related to the protection of the rights of forcibly displaced persons. In this context, the Ombudsperson emphasized the importance of creating dialogue platforms, citing as an example a recent discussion initiated by her office, which was also attended by Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Arsen Torosyan.

“The development of the local self-government system and its effective functioning are important components of human rights protection. During our regional visits, we observe that problems in communities are often conditioned not only by limited resources, but also by the incomplete application of governance and participatory mechanisms. In this regard, it is important to continuously improve the tools of local democracy and ensure their effective implementation,” the Human Rights Defender said.

At the end of the meeting, Anahit Manasyan highly valued the long-standing and effective cooperation between the Human Rights Defender’s Office and the Council of Europe in the field of human rights protection. Representatives of the Congress thanked her for the reception and the information provided, emphasizing the importance of continued dialogue and cooperation.

The premier Armenian event for the digital economy and financial technology, the Doing Digital Forum (DDF), took place in Yerevan for its fourth consecutive year. Under the theme “Bridging Platforms and Economies,” the forum gathered approximately 30 local and international speakers, including leading experts, business representatives, and public sector officials, to explore the future of the global digital landscape.

Tatevik Simonyan, Founder of Doing Digital Forum and Co-Founder of SPRING PR, Forum’s organizer, opened the event by highlighting how digital technologies are transforming not only business connectivity but how entire economies interlink. “In the recent past, these connections were built through states, banks, and traditional trade relations; today, they are primarily formed around digital platforms, data, and financial technologies. This has become a new environment where economies are united not by roads, but by data, algorithms, and digital infrastructures,” she noted.

The central theme served as an invitation to think strategically about our collective role in shaping the architecture of tomorrow’s global economy. Martin Galstyan, Governor of the Central Bank of Armenia, noted that despite global uncertainties, the current era also presents unique opportunities. “Armenia, situated at the crossroads of Asia and Europe, is uniquely positioned to be a bridge in the true sense—linking markets, ideas, capital, and talent across continents,” Galstyan stated. He added: “But for that bridge to come to fruition, it must be built on solid ground. It is macroeconomic stability and institutional credibility that provide that ground. With the right financial and digital infrastructure in place, our partners in Armenia and around the world will be well-positioned to innovate, invest, and build the economy of tomorrow.”

According to Mkhitar Hayrapetyan, Minister of High-Tech Industry of the RA, building a digital society and economy based on trust is a strategic priority for the Government. “Artificial intelligence aims to simplify the lives of citizens and create an environment of trust and predictability for the private sector. It serves to protect citizen data, build infrastructure, and provide a new environment for the development of technology and innovation,” the Minister emphasized.

Adding to this national vision, Eduard Hakobyan, Chairman of the State Revenue Committee, presented a strategy to position Armenia as a regional technological and logistics hub. “By combining international tax transparency, ‘smart borders,’ and e-commerce integration, Armenia is emerging as a high-trust technological and logistical crossroads,” Hakobyan stated.

The agenda featured keynote speeches and panel discussions centered on the harmonious collaboration between AI agents and human potential, the interconnection of financial capital and technological platforms, and the balancing of regulatory frameworks alongside rapid innovation.

This year’s special guest, Leiming Chen, Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer at Ant International, shared his vision of “agentic commerce” during a fireside chat with David Pollack, Innovation Ecosystem Leader and Managing Partner at Unchain. “AI has already become a core layer of financial infrastructure,” Chen remarked. “The next phase is AI agents acting as active participants… fundamentally changing money from something static and user-driven to something dynamic, programmable, and increasingly autonomous.”

In his keynote, Oleksandr Yablunivskyy, VP and Head of Products and Solutions at Visa CISSEE, discussed the payment ecosystem in the age of agentic AI, citing Deloitte research that predicts agentic AI will influence 30% of digital commerce, a $17.5 trillion opportunity, by 2030. “The next stage will be when the agent initiates the transaction under human control, and then that agent will conclude autonomous transactions. This means that we will delegate not only our purchases, but also our intentions,” Yablunivskyy stated, noting that the most critical challenges ahead involve security and consumer trust.

Matias Undurraga, Enterprise Technologist at Amazon Web Services (AWS), declared the end of the digital transformation era, urging companies to become AI-native. “An AI-native enterprise is a company that uses AI not as a tool, nor like a chatbot. It uses AI to rethink the way it operates and the way it builds. Their teams think about AI not as a tool, but as teammates” said Undurraga.

Dirk Ohlmeier, CEO of Just Better, addressed the fundamental shift in leadership, urging leaders to move out of the “dark zone” of fearing replacement. “AI is not replacing us; you will be replaced by humans who use AI. We are in an age of infinite opportunity, but it requires a leader who uses ultimate human power, curiosity, creativity, and courage, and supports it with AI. AI is here to push you and make you better,” Ohlmeier said.

Other sessions explored open finance, new payment ecosystem, and the interconnection between digital infrastructures and the real economy.

“The next stage of financial infrastructure is a more direct connection between platforms and economies,” noted Artur Kartshikyan, Founder and CEO of aeda wallet. “New financial rails allow value to move more freely – linking markets, unlocking new opportunities, and strengthening economic ties beyond borders.”

According to Aram Azatyan, Founder and Director of Finbox, Armenia’s first and only independent ATM network, completely abandoning cash is currently unrealistic. Finbox’s approach is that accessibility to cash actually supports the growth of cashless transactions.

Sadyk Azimov, Deputy General Director for Digitalization at Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine (ZCMC), emphasized that for the mining industry, digitalization is a fundamental shift in business operations. “Digitalization is a complex transformation that redefines how we operate, moving beyond simple technical upgrades to integrated, end-to-end management processes,” Azimov stated. He noted that by leveraging real-time data and sensors, ZCMC is creating a “single source of truth” that optimizes production while fundamentally enhancing safety and ESG compliance.

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Since its launch in 2023, DDF has featured the latest technological developments and economic trends, bringing together over 90 prominent speakers and up to 4,000 participants from 15 countries such as Armenia, Georgia, the United Kingdom, the United States, the UAE, Germany, Australia, Switzerland, Poland and CIS countries.

The forum is organized by SPRING PR, with Visa serving as the Innovation Partner, imID as the Digital Identity Partner, aeda as the Blockchain Partner, Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine as the Industrial Transformation Partner, and Freedom Broker Armenia as the Investment partner.