Russian border guards who were previously on duty jointly with their Armenian counterparts at the Akhurik border checkpoint on the Armenia–Türkiye land border, currently closed, have been withdrawn.

As of now, only Armenian border guards are stationed at the Akhurik checkpoint, the Director of the National Security Service, Andranik Simonyan, reaffirmed to reporters on Friday.

During a press briefing, a reporter asked whether Russian border guards are still serving at the “Akhurik” checkpoint. Simonian responded:

“Since the beginning of 2026, only servicemembers of the NSS Border Guards have been serving at the Akhurik checkpoint.”

On a follow-up question about whether this means there are no Russian border guards at the checkpoint at all, the NSS director replied:

“At the checkpoint — no.”

Archbishop Yezras Nersissian, the Primate of the Diocese of Russia and New Nakhichevan of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the brother of Catholicos Karekin II, was a KGB agent in Soviet times, according to National Security Service (NSS) Director Andranik Simonyan.

Speaking at a press briefing on Friday, Simonyan appeared to echo Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s accusations questioning Karekin II’s legitimacy by referring to him by his secular name, Ktrij Nersissian.

“Ktrij Nersissian’s brother was a Soviet KGB agent, and the NSS has publicized this fact,” Simonyan said.

The NSS earlier told Civic.am that, according to the information at its disposal, Archbishop Yezras Nersissian collaborated with the USSR State Security Committee (KGB) between 1986 and 1988.

According to the NSS, the available data also indicate that Archbishop Yezras Nersissian currently maintains contacts with representatives of foreign intelligence services, which, in the agency’s assessment, may pose a threat to the security and interests of the Republic of Armenia.

Earlier this year, Archbishop Yezras Nersissian denied having been a KGB agent. 

Armenian authorities said Friday that a text leaked to the media and presented as the new Constitution draft is not the final document.

“The Constitutional Reform Council continues its work, and both substantive and editorial changes are being made in the process of shaping the final version. Accordingly, there are numerous working documents, including draft versions and analytical reviews based on the current Constitution’s text,” the ministry of justice said, urging the public to rely only on official information and to wait for the official publication of the new Constitution draft.

The Ishkhanutyun media outlet published on Friday what it said was a leaked draft of the Constitution that the authorities plan to put to a referendum. Various clauses in the current Constitution were shown as removed.

On March 19, the 5th meeting of the Armenia–EU Parliamentary Partnership Committee took place at the European Parliament. It was co-chaired by Member of the European Parliament Nils Ušakovs, Chair of the Delegation for Relations with the South Caucasus, and Member of the National Assembly of Armenia Arman Yeghoyan, Chair of the Standing Committee on European Integration, the Mission of Armenia to the EU said in a press release.

During the meeting, discussions covered the new Armenia-EU partnership agenda, the efforts of the Armenian government aimed at strengthening peace, the extensive work being carried out toward visa liberalization, as well as infrastructure projects.

The event was also attended by senior officials of the European External Action Service (EEAS), representatives of EU-Armenia civil society, Armenia’s Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Armen Ghazaryan, and other officials from EU institutions.

Ambassador of Armenia to Belgium and Head of Mission to the EU, T. Balayan, also participated remotely, presenting the preparatory work for the European Political Community (EPC) and the first Armenia-EU summits, outlining the Armenian side’s expectations, and addressing infrastructure projects while emphasizing Armenia’s readiness to deepen cooperation with European partners.

At the end of the meeting, a joint statement was adopted.

The High Commissioner of Diaspora Affairs of Armenia, Zareh Sinanyan, will travel to Singapore from March 24 to 30 to participate in events marking the 190th anniversary of the Armenian Church of Saint Gregory the Illuminator.

The visit was formalized by a decree from Prime Minister Pashinyan and published on Friday.

The Armenian Church of Saint Gregory the Illuminator, referred to locally as the Armenian Church, is located on Hill Street in the Museum Planning Area, within Singapore’s Central Area. The church was completed in 1835 and consecrated the following year. It is the first Christian church built in Singapore.

The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 20 March, USD exchange rate stood at 377.5 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 3.17 drams to 436.31 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.0786 drams to 4.4892 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 3.62 drams to 504.94 drams.

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

Gold price down by 3272 drams to 55834 drams. Silver price down by 108.02 drams to 845.94 drams.

Tourist visits to Armenia reached 2.263 million in 2025, with around 938,000 arrivals from Russia, Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan said.

According to preliminary data collected at border crossing points, total visits in January–December 2025 increased by 2.5% compared with 2024.

“Visitors from Russia accounted for about 43% of the total number of tourist arrivals,” Papoyan said.

He attributed the growth in tourism to both political and professional factors, including developments surrounding August 8 and the period before and after it, which he said contributed to the establishment of peace in Armenia.

Papoyan also highlighted government efforts to promote tourism, including participation in international exhibitions, publications in reputable outlets, cooperation with international partners, digital marketing.

 Armenia’s trade turnover with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) exceeded $8 billion in 2025, while exports to EAEU countries totalled more than $3.2 billion.

EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos paid a visit to Armenia’s Shirak region on March 20. She paid a study visit to Gyumri where she reviewed EU-funded socio-economic programmes and met with representatives of educational institutions and the business community.

Kos visited Shirak State University, where she delivered a lecture on EU–Armenia relations and highlighted the importance of deepening bilateral ties during a meeting with students and faculty.

She said Europe and Armenia are closely connected. “Armenians have shaped European life for centuries. Armenians are our family, and it is a great joy for many of us that today our relations are better than they have ever been in the recent history of the European Union.”

Following the lecture, Kos answered questions from attendees. Rector Yervand Serobyan presented her with a book dedicated to the 90th anniversary of Shirak State University.

The commissioner then visited Gyumri’s old market area, where a large-scale EU-supported restoration project is under way.

Launched in 2024, the initiative is being implemented in cooperation with the TUMO Center for Creative Technologies and supported by international partners and donors.

The project includes the establishment of an international culinary school, where specialists from France’s “Institut Lyfe” will teach. Top graduates will have the opportunity to continue their studies in Lyon.

Lena Karapetyan, head of the TUMO Gyumri centre, said the total cost of the project is about $9 million.