President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan held a meeting with Greek Ambassador Christos Sofianopoulos on the occasion of Greek Independence Day, the President’s Office reported.

“Welcoming the ambassador, the President congratulated the leadership and the friendly people of Greece on the occasion of their national holiday, emphasizing that relations between the two countries hold a special place in Armenia’s foreign policy agenda,” the President’s Office said in a readout.

The President noted that “the ties between the two peoples have a centuries-old history and are based on mutual trust, goodwill, and a readiness to support one another in difficult times.”

Ambassador Sofianopoulos expressed gratitude for the reception, noting that “relations with Armenia are not only a historical legacy for Greece but also an important direction of modern cooperation.”

He stressed that in recent years bilateral ties have become noticeably more active, encompassing new areas and creating new opportunities for cooperation.

During the meeting, the sides thoroughly discussed prospects for the development of bilateral cooperation, highlighting a number of priority areas. In particular, they addressed issues related to deepening political dialogue, expanding economic ties, promoting investment projects, and intensifying cultural and educational exchanges. The importance of expanding cooperation in high technologies and defense was also emphasized, taking into account the existing potential and mutual interest.

The sides particularly underlined that cooperation between the two countries is developing in a stable and consistent manner, regardless of external circumstances. It was emphasized that this progress is based not only on state-level interaction but also on the strong friendship between the peoples and the alignment of mutual interests, which serve as an additional impetus for implementing new initiatives.

The conversation also touched upon regional developments. The sides discussed existing challenges and exchanged views on possible ways to effectively address them, highlighting the importance of cooperative approaches.

It was noted that, in this context, efforts aimed at establishing peace, ensuring long-term stability, and developing democratic institutions are of particular importance, as they can contribute to creating a predictable and secure environment in the region.

Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan sent a congratulatory letter to Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis on the occasion of Greek Independence Day.

“I warmly congratulate and extend my sincere best wishes to you on the occasion of the national holiday, Independence Day, of the Hellenic Republic,” Pashinyan said in the letter published by his office.

“Armenia highly appreciates the friendly relations with Greece, which are based on mutual trust, common values, and strong civilizational ties between the peoples. I note with satisfaction that recently Armenia-Greece cooperation has been developing more actively and steadily. Constructive and trustful dialogue, high-level mutual visits, and regular contacts have given new impetus to our relations, expanding the agenda of cooperation in the political, economic, defense, scientific, educational, and cultural spheres. I am confident that through consistent joint work we will continue to deepen our partnership both in bilateral and multilateral formats, as well as within the framework of the Armenia-European Union partnership, for the benefit of our countries’ prosperity and the strengthening of regional peace and stability. I look forward to having the honor of hosting you in Yerevan within the framework of the European Political Community Summit. Your visit to Yerevan is also a good opportunity to announce the elevation of cooperation between our two states to a new, strategic level. I wish you every success, and peace, prosperity and sustainable progress to the friendly people of Greece,” he added. 

Under the Karabakh movement, Armenia was placed on the sacrifice altar of foreign geopolitical interests, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan said during the Parliament–Government Q&A session.

The Prime Minister noted that the current government has come to understand that, under the Karabakh movement, Armenia had been placed on the sacrifice altar of foreign geopolitical interests. He referred to a campaign badge featuring a map of Armenia.

“I am glad that we have gone through that path and have the strength to admit that, under the Karabakh movement, we placed our country on the sacrifice altar of foreign geopolitical interests. We understood this too late. There are political forces that have not understood this and will not understand,” Pashinyan said.

Showing the badge, the Prime Minister added: “This represents what the people of Armenia created to protect their security, prosperity, freedom, and rights. It is the internationally recognized territory of the Republic of Armenia.”

He stressed that by directly or indirectly denying the internationally recognized territory of Armenia, “we were effectively saying that the Republic of Armenia does not have an internationally recognized territory. We said it indirectly. As a result, within this logic, we continuously sacrificed more and more of our sovereignty and independence as a state.”

“From that moment on, by returning to the internationally recognized territory of the Republic of Armenia, we have been becoming a more sovereign, more independent, more secure, and more authoritative state in the international arena,” the Prime Minister said.

Showing the map, he emphasized that it is a symbol of Armenia’s sovereignty, independence, and statehood.

In the upcoming parliamentary elections, the people of Armenia must decide whether the Karabakh movement will continue.

Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan said during the Parliament–Government question-and-answer session, in response to concerns that some circles perceive his statement as a threat that war will begin if the “Civil Contract” party does not win the elections.

The Prime Minister recalled that in 2020, serious accusations were made against him for not warning the public about the dangers and he has drawn conclusions from that accusation.

“In this election, the people must answer the following question: will the Karabakh movement continue or not?

Today, “Civil Contract” is the only political force that, as the parliamentary majority, has decided not to continue the Karabakh movement. All other forces say they will continue it. The people should decide. If they decide that the Karabakh movement continues, it means war, because the Karabakh movement is war.

If it is decided that there is peace, then we will not continue the Karabakh movement. It is a very simple choice,” Pashinyan said, emphasizing the importance of speaking clearly with citizens.

Referring to the Declaration of Independence, the Prime Minister said that it is not a declaration of independence, but rather a declaration of conflict and dependence.

“We all originate from the Karabakh movement as people engaged in politics. But if we do not confront this and do not change, then our historical destiny will not change either,” he noted.

In Armenia, in the first two months of 2026, the economic activity index was 7.4% higher compared to the same period of the previous year, the Statistical Committee reported.

In February, it exceeded January’s level by 4.5% and February 2025’s level by 7.2%.

During the reporting period, the highest growth was recorded in the construction sector, at 20.5%. The volume of construction is estimated at AMD 53.9537 billion. In February, month-on-month growth was 40.7%, and compared to February of the previous year, it was 21.8%. Construction work amounting to AMD 31.6917 billion was carried out in February.

The volume of industrial production in January–February exceeded the same months of the previous year by 17.2%, amounting to AMD 491.4794 billion. In February, growth compared to January was 12.2%, and compared to February of the previous year, 23.8%. Industrial products worth AMD 261.9388 billion were produced in the last month of winter.

Trade turnover in January–February exceeded the same months of the previous year by 3.3%, reaching AMD 892.2471 billion. In February, growth compared to January was 14.4%, and compared to February of the previous year, 5.6%. Trade worth AMD 477.5026 billion was carried out in February.

The volume of services (excluding trade) in January–February exceeded the first two months of the previous year by 7.2%, amounting to AMD 630.3105 billion. In February, it decreased by 1.7% compared to January, but exceeded February 2025’s level by 7%. The volume of services in February is estimated at AMD 312.319 billion.

The consumer price index in January–February was 4.1% higher than in the same months of the previous year. In February, it rose by 0.5% compared to January, and by 4.3% compared to February of the previous year.

The industrial product price index in January–February was 9% higher than in the same months of the previous year. In February, it increased by 1.4% compared to January, and by 9.5% compared to February 2025.

1,823.9 million kWh of electricity was produced in January–February this year, exceeding the same period of the previous year by 7.1%. In February, production decreased by 24.4% compared to January, and by 4.7% compared to February of the previous year. Electricity production in February amounted to 785.4 million kWh.

This indicator does not include electricity produced by autonomous producers for crossflows.

No data was provided for the gross agricultural output and the average monthly nominal salary during the reporting period.

Vice Speaker of Parliament Ruben Rubinyan stated on Wednesday that the opposition’s policies are certain to trigger war if implemented. 

Speaking at a press briefing, he was asked by reporters to respond to accusations that repeated warnings about the risk of war if the opposition wins the upcoming elections amount to threats.

Rubinyan, a senior member of the ruling Civil Contract party, denied making any threats. He said that there is currently no risk of war.

“Let’s define what a threat is. When someone says, ‘If you don’t do this, I will do something that will be bad for you,’ that’s a threat. When we say that the Republic of Armenia, if it adopts the policy proposed by the opposition, will inevitably lead to war, there is no connection to a threat here,” he said.

According to Rubinyan, the likelihood of war at present is zero because the Pashinyan administration and the ruling Civil Contract party are pursuing their current policy.

“If the opposition comes to power and starts implementing the policy it has announced, that will clearly and 100% lead to war,” he added.

The Vice Speaker of the National Assembly also recalled that, in the past, the same authorities were criticized for not highlighting the risks of war.

“Those same people said, ‘Why aren’t you presenting the reality?’ and now they say, ‘Why are you saying it?’” Rubinyan emphasized.

He said that the upcoming elections are not only a choice between political forces but also between the policies they propose.

Rubinyan noted that the Civil Contract party maintains its current stance of preserving peace, while, according to him, the opposition forces are proposing a revision of this policy.

“If the components of the peace agreement, the Washington Declaration, the TRIPP agreement, and the delimitation regulations are revised, that will lead to war,” he stated.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan warned last week that the country could face an imminent war if opposition forces, whom he described as being controlled from abroad, win the upcoming parliamentary elections. He accused these opposition forces of attempting to revise the recently established peace and making belligerent statements.

Armenia’s foreign trade turnover in January–February 2026 exceeded the same period of the previous year by 9.3%, reaching USD 3.0641 billion, according to the Statistical Committee.

In February, trade turnover increased by 37.1% compared to January and by 30.8% compared to February of the previous year. Trade in the last month of winter amounted to USD 1.7718 billion.

Exports in the first two months of the year exceeded the same period of the previous year by 12.6%, estimated at USD 1.1688 billion. Month-on-month growth compared to January was 44.2%, and year-on-year growth compared to February 2025 was 37.6%. Exports in February totaled USD 690.2 million.

Imports in January–February were 7.3% higher than in the same period of 2025, estimated at USD 1.8953 billion. In February, imports increased by 32.9% compared to January and by 26.9% compared to February of the previous year. Imports in February amounted to USD 1.0816 billion.

The government-authored bill proposing amendments to the law on trade and services, which seeks to ban polyethylene bags and single-use plastic products starting January 1, 2027, passed parliament at its second reading with 67 votes in favor and 30 abstentions.

According to the bill, starting January 1, 2027, the sale or provision of polyethylene bags and sacks, as well as single-use containers and tableware made of plastic or foam plastic, will be prohibited at retail outlets, public catering establishments, fairs, exhibition sales, and outdoor or mobile trading locations. Exceptions are bags used for pre-weighed packaging, plastic containers with lids, and garbage bags made from recycled materials. Penalties for violating the ban are set as follows: a first violation will result in a warning, while a second or subsequent violation will incur a fine of AMD 100,000 to 150,000.

 The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 25 March, USD exchange rate down by 0.12 drams to 377.2 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 0.35 drams to 437.78 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.0266 drams to 4.6619 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 0.03 drams to 505.9 drams.

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

Gold price down by 657 drams to 53524 drams.