Armenia’s Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said on Monday that he believes the dialogue between Armenia and Türkiye has matured sufficiently for diplomatic relations to be established and for the border to be fully reopened.

He made the comments at the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, responding to a question from opposition Armenia bloc MP Gegham Manukyan.

“The Armenia–Türkiye dialogue has matured enough that, alongside the ongoing processes, it can achieve a complete outcome — namely, the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the full opening of the border. There is no dispute on this, and we are conveying the same message to our Turkish partners,” Mirzoyan said.

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has disclosed details from a recent closed meeting between Armenian and Azerbaijani officials.

Notably, he said that Azerbaijan has not put forth any preconditions regarding constitutional changes in Armenia, but has notified that it will not finalize the initialed peace deal as long as the current wording about Nagorno-Karabakh remains in the Constitution.

Mirzoyan emphasized that Armenia has reiterated to Azerbaijan that finalizing the initialed peace deal is the best way to put an end to all misinterpretations.

According to Mirzoyan, at the most recent closed meeting with the Azerbaijani side, Baku did not demand any changes to the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia.

“When we say that we cannot discuss our Constitution with you because it is Armenia’s internal affair and not a subject for negotiations, they respond: ‘Very well, it is your internal matter, we will not negotiate it; we are simply informing you that as long as your Constitution contains these provisions, we are not prepared to finally sign the peace agreement.’ We take note of this and respond that it is regrettable, because we could also see many other issues, and the best solution would be the signing and ratification of the peace agreement, which would put an end to all misinterpretations,” the Foreign Minister explained in response to a question by opposition Armenia bloc MP Kristine Vardanyan at a parliamentary committee hearing. 

Mirzoyan said this is the issue on which the two sides have diverging stances.

Azerbaijan has repeatedly accused Armenia of having what it describes as territorial claims in its Constitution through its preamble reference to the 1990 Declaration of Independence, which in turn mentions Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenia has denied that this reference constitutes territorial claims, and the country’s Constitutional Court has ruled that the mention in no way amounts to such claims. Armenian officials have stated that signing the initialed peace deal with Azerbaijan would resolve all of Azerbaijan’s concerns.

Meanwhile, the Pashinyan administration has initiated constitutional amendments, with work ongoing to develop the draft, but officials have emphasized that this is an unrelated internal matter that has been in the plans for many years.

Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan on Monday reiterated Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s warning that some opposition parties could trigger war if they win the June 7 elections.

Last week, Pashinyan cautioned that the country could face imminent war if certain opposition forces, which he described as being influenced from abroad, win the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Pashinyan said that some groups seek to “revise” the recently established peace. He added that if the opposition wins, war could start as early as September.

When asked how the Prime Minister could mention specific timeframes, and whether his statements constituted blackmailing voters, Mirzoyan, a member of Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party, said:

“I think the timeframe mentioned by the Prime Minister was conditional, meaning he is referring to a short period after the elections. That such a prospect could exist is unquestionable. Some opposition circles hold the ideology that there are territorial issues with almost all neighboring countries, and that we have territorial claims and ambitions. It is obvious that with this mindset, if such people come to power, immediate problems with our neighbors would arise. Considering how countries are trying to address issues these days, there is a very high probability that Armenia would face war immediately. We say that our country needs peace. Under other circumstances, in our deep conviction, it would not be Armenia’s success or development that would be at stake, but Armenia’s very existence as an independent state would come under serious doubt. Peace is our proposal to the citizens, and there is a parallel proposal: ‘No, we don’t need this Armenia at all; we don’t care about it; we want some other Armenia.’ Now, do I see an element of blackmail in our proposal? No, I do not. Why? Because we are doing the right thing — this is our proposal to the citizens of Armenia.”

Responding to a journalist’s remark that the current Armenian government had brought war upon the people, Mirzoyan said that their government did not cause the war; rather, it was the result of more than 30 years of flawed policies.

Pashinyan earlier warned that former President Robert Kocharyan’s Armenia alliance, Gagik Tsarukyan’s Prosperous Armenia, and business magnate Samvel Karapetyan’s Strong Armenia all risk triggering a new war if they win the elections.

Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said on Monday that the swift release of the remaining Armenians held in Azerbaijan would further strengthen the recently established peace between the two countries.

“The position regarding the persons held in Azerbaijan, the prisoners of war, remains the same. I prefer not to speak loudly and publicly about this issue, but rather to work on it. When there is a result, the public is informed. We welcome the recent release of four prisoners and are confident that the prompt release of all remaining detained persons will further strengthen the peace established between Armenia and Azerbaijan. We are working in this direction, and we are also discussing this issue with Azerbaijan and, first and foremost, with Azerbaijan’s partners. At this moment, there is no result. This is a matter where there either is a result or there is not. We are working, of course, and this issue cannot be removed from our agenda. When there is a result, you will know,” the Armenian foreign minister said.

Four Armenians were released by Azerbaijan earlier in January, bringing the number of remaining captives to 19.

Earlier in February, an Azerbaijani military court sentenced several former top political and military leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh to life imprisonment on war crime–related charges widely seen as fabricated.

Former Nagorno-Karabakh President Arayik Harutyunyan; former Defense Army Commander Levon Mnatsakanyan and his deputy Davit Manukyan; former Foreign Minister Davit Babayan; former Speaker of Parliament Davit Ishkanyan; and former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan were sentenced to life imprisonment.

Former Presidents Bako Sahakyan and Arkady Ghukasyan received 20-year prison sentences, as they are over the age of 65 and Azerbaijani law prohibits life imprisonment for individuals of that age.

They are all among the 19 Armenian captives.

Other captives received sentences ranging from 15 to 19 years.

After Azerbaijan’s takeover of Nagorno-Karabakh during its 2023 offensive, the Armenian population—over 100,000 people—fled to Armenia seeking refuge. The former politicians and others were detained during the exodus.

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said on Monday that the ongoing hybrid attacks targeting Armenia can be partly traced back to Russia.

Speaking at a press briefing in parliament, Mirzoyan was asked to elaborate on the repeated warnings by the Armenian government that the country is facing hybrid warfare.

“Let us first understand what is meant by a hybrid attack. Hybrid actions are being carried out against Armenia. This may include the spread of disinformation, cyberattacks, and so on. Are such attacks being carried out against Armenia? Undoubtedly, they are—who could argue otherwise? Some of them are carried out through mass media. Some of what is done through you is deliberate, and some happens unintentionally—you receive information, see a need to disseminate it, and act,” Mirzoyan said.

Asked to comment on various officials’ statements claiming that the hybrid attacks are carried out from Russia, the foreign minister said: “You mentioned a specific country. Can some of the threads of this false information be traced to a particular country? Yes, they can. And do not imagine a centralized office or a top authority from which everything is organized and managed. Can you see members of the Russian Federation’s parliament making statements against Armenia’s sovereignty and its legitimately elected government—statements they have no right to make, as this constitutes interference in internal affairs? Can you see officials of various ranks involved in such actions? Can you see such behavior coming from expert circles? You certainly can.”

Mirzoyan also commented on EU plans to send a Hybrid Rapid Response Team to Armenia to help counter threats ahead of the country’s June 7 elections, dismissing criticism.

“This is a fairly unfamiliar phenomenon for us, while at the same time there is accumulated experience on this issue in some parts of the world—so why not ask for [help]? I don’t understand. There are circles that, the moment they hear the word ‘European Union,’ get startled and think someone has come to swallow us up, to cut us off from some kind of centuries-old friendly ties. As soon as they hear ‘EU,’ their knees start to tremble. If that group came from Madagascar, I am sure it would not provoke such a reaction.

Now I want to disappoint you and make a revelation: under all governments of Armenia, the country has sought assistance—including from the EU—on various aspects of electoral processes,” said the Armenian foreign minister.

Asked why the Armenian authorities do not also seek support from Russia on this issue, Mirzoyan said that if Russia has its own experience in countering hybrid attacks and is willing to share it, the Armenian authorities are not opposed.

“Let them share it, and we will see what experience they have,” the minister concluded.

Armenia supports the immediate establishment of peace in the Middle East, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said.

He told reporters that Armenia wants to see peace fully preserved around its borders.

“We are interested in the full maintenance of peace around Armenia. In the case of our brotherly Iranian people, we are saddened by the deaths and the attacks on infrastructure. Their neighboring Arab states are also our friendly countries. We support the immediate establishment of peace, and we are even more—tenfold or a hundredfold—committed to maintaining peace around Armenia,” Mirzoyan said at a press briefing when asked about the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military operations in Iran and the escalating situation in the Middle East.

The ongoing talks between Armenia and the United States regarding the TRIPP connectivity project have not slowed down amid the war in Iran and the subsequent Middle East escalation, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said on Monday.

Mirzoyan was asked at a press briefing whether there has been any slowdown in the negotiations or whether the government has concerns that the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) project could be hindered by the Middle East escalation.

“I assure you that negotiations between Armenia and the United States on TRIPP have not slowed down and are proceeding normally. The first step was announced on August 8, and with the second step, we negotiated and on January 14 agreed on and published a comprehensive document outlining the implementation framework. The next step will be the signing of an intergovernmental agreement, which will include more legal mechanisms. At present, work on TRIPP is focused on the document, and it is ongoing. When possible, we will also move on to work on-the-ground,” Mirzoyan said.

Responding to a question about whether he sees any risks that TRIPP could be used for other purposes, particularly military, amid the war in Iran and Middle East tensions, Mirzoyan said:

“We are talking purely about a transport and connectivity project that will create economic opportunities for Armenia, for Azerbaijan, and for all neighbors, including Iran. During our meetings, Iranian officials, if I am not mistaken also publicly had several occasions to say that Armenian officials provided them with information, that they have no concerns, and moreover, that the project also creates opportunities for them,” he said.

In response to a journalist’s claim that there are concerns the United States could at some point sell its share in TRIPP to another country, such as Türkiye, Mirzoyan said:

“You need to read the document. This issue is addressed in the TRIPP implementation framework, which includes mechanisms ensuring that no share can be allocated or sold in any way without Armenia’s consent,” he said.

The Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) is a connectivity project in Armenia, envisaged under the U.S.-brokered Armenian-Azerbaijani joint declaration signed in Washington, D.C. The project is expected to unlock strategic economic opportunities, create long-term benefits by promoting infrastructure investment, and enhance regional connectivity. TRIPP is part of the Crossroads of Peace project, and an Armenian-American joint enterprise is expected to develop the route.

Armenian government officials briefed lawmakers on Monday on the progress of ongoing EU-funded projects in Armenia.

At a session of the parliamentary committee on European integration affairs, opposition MP Armen Gevorgyan from the Armenia faction recalled that over the past few years there have been announcements of €3 billion in assistance, including the €2.6 billion Economic and Investment Plan, a €270 million project, and the recently announced additional €140 million in EU aid. Gevorgyan asked government officials to specify exactly how much of the pledged funds have reached Armenia and been reflected in the economy.

Finance Minister Vahe Hovhannisyan responded that several projects are ongoing, with most pertaining to infrastructure.

“Numerous projects have been implemented, with the bulk pertaining to the funding of the North-South road,” he said, adding that the Resilient Syunik and other programs are ongoing.

Meanwhile, Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan presented specific figures. He said that €1.496 billion from the €2.6 billion Economic and Investment Package has been distributed. He added that €62.5 million from the €270 million envisaged under the Resilience and Growth Plan has been spent, while the distribution of nearly €210 million has been confirmed.

During the discussion, the qualitative impact of investments was also addressed. Gevorgyan asked what effect these programs have on Armenia’s economic structure.

Finance Minister Hovhannisyan noted that, on average, capital investments have approximately a 1.4-fold impact on GDP growth, but each project is evaluated individually based on feasibility studies.

“For example, if we talk about the programs we are implementing with the European Union, there is no doubt that the work currently underway on the southern section of the North-South road will also have a significant impact on the implementation of the Crossroads of Peace project. I believe these are important projects both economically and strategically, although their full impact will only become visible once the infrastructure is actually constructed.

The same applies to the Resilient Syunik Program, which aims to create diverse infrastructure, including kindergartens, hospitals, water systems, and more,” Hovhannisyan emphasized.

Kostanyan, in turn, added that EU support also includes the development of standards and institutional infrastructure, which could yield more significant results in the medium and long term.

Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan told members of parliament on Monday that the visa liberalization process with the EU is proceeding at a fast pace for Armenia.

MP Armen Gevorgyan, representing the Armenia faction, asked the deputy foreign minister at the parliamentary committee on European integration affairs whether there is a timeframe for the completion of the process, given the broad public interest in the matter.

“It is currently impossible to specify an exact timeline for visa liberalization. We received the action plan last November, and I believe the first progress report will be published within the next one to two months,” Kostanyan said.

He added that the process is proceeding relatively quickly for Armenia compared to other countries. The deputy minister also emphasized that Armenia is currently the only country with which the European Union is conducting a visa liberalization dialogue.

Kostanyan also outlined the main areas in which Armenia needs to implement reforms: migration policy, protection of human rights, and the introduction of an integrated border control system.

Referring to the Schengen visa issuance process, he noted that in recent years the number of applications has increased significantly—by approximately 400 percent—which has also affected service delivery.

“In the past few months, we have seen at least a somewhat positive trend from various European embassies, which have increased their consular staff,” he said.

Kostanyan added that efforts are underway to extend visa issuance periods so that citizens are not forced to apply for a new visa frequently. According to him, some countries have already begun issuing visas with longer validity periods.

“The next area we are working on to simplify this process is the opening of consular sections within the embassies of European Union member states in Armenia. There are countries that have diplomatic representation in Armenia but do not provide consular services.

The latest development is that the Belgian embassy has decided to open a consular section, which will also help alleviate the existing workload to some extent,” Kostanyan concluded.

The Global Mentoring Walk Armenia took place for the first time in Yerevan, bringing together accomplished professionals from diverse sectors and purpose-driven young people. Organized for 19 years across 60 countries in celebration of International Women’s Day, this global initiative originated in the United States as a platform for sharing leadership experience.

According to Armenpress, the initiative was introduced to Armenia by Hayasa Tahmazyan, a member of the Vital Voices Global Leadership Network and a social impact innovator.

“The goal of the event is to cultivate a culture of mentorship and to promote the transfer of experience and wisdom across generations in Armenia. We recognize that leadership is also a social responsibility that involves creating opportunities and sharing accumulated knowledge and expertise with those who are on their professional growth journey,” said Hayasa Tahmazyan.

The Armenian edition brought together 18 accomplished mentors who walked and shared their experience with 36 mentees.

“Today’s gathering was highly symbolic, taking place on the day of spring renewal. It is truly remarkable how new connections can create new forms of unity and collaboration. I am very glad to have been part of this initiative. Mentorship is a practice for transferring experience and knowledge that is as old and as traditional as humanity itself. I hope this practice of connection and trust-building will expand across society,” said mentor Marina Mkhitaryan, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Impact at Armenia Tree Project.

The official program began at the Cinema House in Yerevan, from where participants embarked on a mentoring walk to the Cafesjian Sculpture Garden.

“I really appreciated how this format was launched. As someone who values continuous education, the exchange of experience, and leadership development, I decided to participate. I am grateful to our mentor for the open conversation, as well as for sharing an inspiring personal story and perspectives,” said mentee Tigran Minasyan, who has a background in engineering.

Throughout the walk, mentors and mentees engaged in open and honest discussions about career development, making difficult decisions, and the real costs of leadership.

The mentors of the first Global Mentoring Walk Armenia included: Nazik Avdalyan, World and European Weightlifting Champion and Founder and Executive Director of the Nazik Avdalyan Sports Development Foundation; Degan Valentine, Country Director for American Councils for International Education in Armenia; Marina Mkhitaryan, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Impact at Armenia Tree Project; Serob Khachatryan, education expert; Narine Tadevosyan, management and business development consultant; Sophy Nersisyan, specialist in humanitarian and development program management; Elena Alina Popescu, World Champion in Athletics; Narine Nazaryan, Director of Armenpress News Agency; Tatevik Simonyan, Co-founder of SPRING PR and Founder of Doing Digital Forum; Karine Sarkissian, Chief Executive Officer of the ZINAPAH National Foundation for Servicemen Insurance; Hasmik Movsisian, Founder of the Women of Armenia Network; Lika Mkrtchyan, communication and management specialist; Vahe Arzumanyan, Founder and President of the “White Cane” NGO; Elen Jaghinyan, Partner and Director at Premium Consultant; Gayane Mkrtchyan, Program Director at Eurasia Partnership Foundation; Marianna Khababyan, Founder and CEO of Incub Marketing LLC; Armine Haroyan, Executive Director of the Armenian Educational Foundation in Armenia; and Nver Sargsyan, international development and human rights specialist.