Inaugural Armenia-EU Summit in Yerevan set to boost ties

External policy16:31, 26 March 2026
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The inaugural Armenia–EU Summit will be held in Yerevan on May 4–5, 2026, with the Republic of Armenia represented by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the European Union represented by European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, in a press release, stated that ahead of the summit, Presidents Costa and von der Leyen will also participate in the 8th Summit of the European Political Community, taking place in Yerevan on May 4, 2026.

The Armenia–EU Summit will focus on strengthening bilateral relations, particularly in areas related to the economy, energy, transport, digital development, and people-to-people exchanges. The leaders will also discuss progress in ensuring peace, security, connectivity, and prosperity in the South Caucasus, as well as current global challenges.

The summit reflects the unprecedented dynamics of the Armenia–EU partnership in recent years. EU’s relations with Armenia are based on the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which entered into force in 2021, and the Armenia–EU Partnership Strategic Agenda, adopted during the Armenia–EU Partnership Council meeting in December 2025 with the participation of Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, and EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos.

The European Union remains a key partner for Armenia in advancing its reform agenda, as well as in trade and investment.

Within the framework of CEPA, Armenia continues to implement a comprehensive reform agenda based on democracy, transparency, and the rule of law. This includes efforts to combat corruption, reform the judiciary, increase accountability to citizens, and ensure equal economic, labor, and social opportunities for all.

In September 2024, Armenia and the EU launched a visa liberalization dialogue aimed at establishing a visa-free travel regime for Armenian citizens within the European Union.

On July 14, 2025, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to reaffirm and advance the growing Armenia–EU partnership. Overall, 2025 was marked by strong dynamics in Armenia–EU political dialogue, high-level exchanges, and deepening of the partnership.

In August 2025, the EU welcomed the initialing of the Peace Agreement and the signing of the Declaration between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The EU stands ready to support the development of inclusive regional connectivity and the full opening of communications in the region through investments, in favor of lasting peace and stability.

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PM press secretary denies reports alleging withdrawal of Karabakh war awards

Fact Check19:14, 26 March 2026
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The press secretary of Armenia’s Prime Minister, Nazeli Baghdasaryan, has dismissed reports alleging that the Armenian government plans to revoke awards granted to participants of the Karabakh war, describing them as “false and misleading”.

 Information published by the website Dikgazete.com,  claimed that authorities intend to review and withdraw state awards given to war participants.

In a post on her Facebook page, Baghdasaryan stated that the claim is “completely false and has no relation to reality.”

She emphasized that the disinformation appears to be deliberately structured to target specific segments of society. According to her, the issue of the social and moral status of war participants is highly sensitive, and such narratives are designed to undermine trust in state institutions and government policies.

Baghdasaryan noted that the information was initially published on an unknown platform, then quickly reproduced by several Turkish and Azerbaijani media outlets. The information was further amplified on X through suspicious and interconnected accounts, and circulated via Telegram channels of Russian origin.

She added that the disinformation has also been widely disseminated within Armenia’s information space by certain opposition circles and affiliated media outlets.

“This indicates that information threats against the Republic of Armenia are, in some cases, coinciding with and being amplified by certain political actors operating within the country,” Baghdasaryan said.

According to her, the claim bears clear signs of foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI).

Baghdasaryan urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified information and not to contribute to the further dissemination of disinformation.

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Armenian Deputy Prime Minister to participate in EEU meeting

Economy16:39, 26 March 2026
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Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan has arrived in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, to participate in the meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council, a key governing body of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the government said in a press release. 

Kazakh Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev welcomed Grigoryan at the airport.

Deputy PM Grigoryan will also participate in the “Digital Qazaqstan 2026” forum. 

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Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 26-03-

17:17, 26 March 2026
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The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 26 March, USD exchange rate up by 0.16 drams to 377.36 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 1.63 drams to 436.15 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.0817 drams to 4.5802 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 1.97 drams to 503.93 drams.

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

Gold price up by 1855 drams to 55379 drams. 

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Foreign Ministry Secretary General receives international expert delegation

External policy17:35, 26 March 2026
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The Secretary General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, David Karapetyan, received a delegation of international experts specializing in foreign policy, international security, and democratic governance.

The experts visited Armenia from March 23 to 26 as part of a program organized by the Bucharest office of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, in cooperation with the Yerevan-based Foundation for Culture and Civilization Studies.

During the meeting, the parties exchanged views on key regional and international developments.

Karapetyan highlighted the importance the Government of Armenia attaches to continuous engagement with civil society and the sustainable development of democratic institutions.

He also invited the members of the delegation to participate in the third international forum “Yerevan Dialogue,” scheduled to take place in Yerevan on May 5–6, 2026.

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Armenian Defense Minister pays official visit to France

Military18:25, 26 March 2026
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Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan is on an official visit to France, the ministry said in a statement.

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Defense Minister Papikyan meets French President’s military advisor

Military19:32, 26 March 2026
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As part of his official visit to France, Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan on March 26 met with French Army General Vincent Giraud, the Chief of the Personal Staff of the French President and his chief military advisor.

Papikyan reported about the meeting in a post on Facebook.

The Armenian Defense Minister is in France on an official visit.

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Armenpress: Defense Minister Papikyan meets representatives of French defense

Military21:43, 26 March 2026
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Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan met with representatives of French defense companies at the Mouvement des Entreprises de France (MEDEF), Papikyan said in a post on Facebook.

Suren Papikyan is on an official visit to France on March 26.

Earlier on March 26, Papikyan met with French Army General Vincent Giraud, Chief of the Personal Staff of the French President and his chief military advisor.

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Armenia faces 25 new cases at ECHR, report finds

Panorama, Armenia
Mar 26 2026

A total of 25 new cases concerning Armenia were brought before the European Court of Human Rights in 2025, according to the latest annual report published by the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers.

The report assesses how member states are implementing rulings from the Strasbourg-based court, which oversees compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights.

Across all member states, the number of new judgments requiring supervision by the Committee of Ministers saw a slight decrease in 2025. A total of 921 new cases were registered, compared to 992 in 2024.

Ukraine recorded the highest number of new cases at 159. It was followed by Azerbaijan and Italy, each with 75 cases. Hungary (70), Turkey (69) and Poland (58) also ranked among the countries with the most new rulings.

The 25 new cases concerning Armenia represent an increase from 15 in 2024, though slightly lower than the 28 recorded in 2023.

According to the report, the cases largely relate to police conduct during mass protests, alleged discrimination against members of the LGBT community, the lack of adequate respons to serious domestic violence cases and dismissal of judges.

Sports: Armenian pair advance to free skate at World Championships

Panorama, Armenia
Mar 26 2026

Armenia’s Karina Akopova and Nikita Rakhmanin have qualified for the free skate at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Prague after a strong performance in the short program.

Competing to “Artsakh”, a composition by Ara Gevorgyan, the pair scored 67.12 points, placing eighth among 21 teams and securing a place in the next round. The free program is scheduled for 26 March.

The duo previously earned 66.27 points at the Winter Olympics qualification event held in Italy in February.

Armenia is also represented in the men’s event by 19-year-old Simyon Danilyants, who is set to compete in the short program on 26 March, with the free skate to follow on 28 March.

The World Figure Skating Championships are being held from 24 to 29 March.