Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is participating in the second Nuclear Energy Summit, which kicked off on Tuesday in Paris.

French President Emmanuel Macron and IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi welcomed Pashinyan and other world leaders attending the summit.

PM Pashinyan posted photos from the event on social media. 

After the summit, the Armenian Prime Minister is scheduled to travel to Strasbourg on Wednesday to address the European Parliament.

Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan met with Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Mariano Grossi in Paris, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a readout.

The parties discussed issues related to the development of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

They also discussed cooperation between Armenia and the International Atomic Energy Agency, emphasizing the importance of the continuous implementation of nuclear safety, technical cooperation, and expert assistance programs.

The interlocutors exchanged views on ongoing projects in Armenia’s energy sector, small modular reactor technologies, and prospects for the development of nuclear energy.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan participated in the Second Nuclear Energy Summit in Paris. The high-ranking guests of the event were welcomed by French President Emmanuel Macron and Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Grossi. The summit was also attended by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the Prime Ministers of Slovakia and Croatia, and heads of government and representatives of a number of other states.

The joint photo session of the summit participants was followed by the opening ceremony of the event.

The Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan delivered a speech. According to a press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the PM’s speech reads as follows:

”Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

I extend my sincere gratitude to the President of France for convening and generously hosting this important event, as well as to the International Atomic Energy Agency for its close collaboration.

Following the first successful Summit in Brussels in 2024, we are confident that this second Summit in Paris will further foster cooperation among countries that have chosen to develop civil nuclear capacities and will promote real-world solutions for advancing the shared objectives of decarbonization and energy sovereignty.

These objectives, together with growing global energy demands, have prompted a renewed examination of the competitiveness of nuclear power, and many countries now recognize that nuclear energy – as a dispatchable, low‑carbon power source – can partner well with renewable energy sources rather than compete with them.Guided by this conviction, Armenia was among the first countries to fully support the Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy by 2050 at COP28 , and we welcome the First Global Stocktake assessing progress toward the Paris Agreement goals. The Government of Armenia has also adopted a policy of maintaining nuclear energy as an essential factor of Armenia’s energy security and as a central component of its electricity mix.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Today, with the advancement of safety technologies, the life‑extension of the existing nuclear fleet provides a timely and cost-effective path to net zero. In this vein, Armenia, as many countries present here, has launched a program to extend the operational lifetime of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant (ANPP) until 2036. This extension will lay a solid foundation for the smooth and secure transition towards a new nuclear power unit.

To this end, our attention is centered on innovations in civil nuclear energy, particularly Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technologies, which offer promising prospects. Growing demand is encouraging leading companies to develop safer and more flexible solutions, with shorter construction timelines and scalable capacity that can better align with the needs of national electricity grids.

With these considerations, Armenia has made a decision to pursue Small Modular Reactor technology. Currently, we are carefully examining technologies and assessing proposals from international partners. The selection process is guided by the consideration of reliability, long-term sustainability, and our commitment to the highest standards of nuclear safety, security and non-proliferation.

Excellencies,

On the path towards nuclear energy by 2050, a skilled workforce will be the backbone of the nuclear sector, from design and construction to safe operation, maintenance, and eventual decommissioning. The implementation of training and education programs is essential to ensure the availability of the necessary workforce. In this regard, Armenia highly values international cooperation, both bilaterally and multilaterally.

Thanks to these efforts and the dedication of Armenian experts, I am pleased to note that throughout the operational history of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant no incidents related to nuclear or radiation safety have occurred.

To conclude, I would like to emphasize the importance of the safe management of radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel, which is critically important for both current and future generations. Protection of human health and the environment should be our ultimate guiding principles.

We believe this Summit will foster the development of initiatives and partnerships among countries, international organizations, financial institutions and industry. I wish all participants productive and successful work.

Thank you”.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with Odile Renaud-Basso, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Prime Minister’s Office said.

The sides discussed bilateral cooperation and the progress of joint programs.

They emphasized the ongoing cooperation within the framework of the reforms implemented by the Government of Armenia, as well as the effective implementation of projects aimed at boosting the competitiveness of the private sector, developing small and medium-sized enterprises, and modernizing infrastructure.

Renaud-Basso reaffirmed the EBRD’s readiness to continue supporting the Armenian government in implementing planned programs and reforms in various sectors.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who is on a working visit to France, met with the country’s President Emmanuel Macron, the prime minister said in a Facebook post, sharing a video of the meeting.

On March 10, the prime minister is scheduled to participate in the Nuclear Energy Summit in Paris.

On March 11, Pashinyan will travel to Strasbourg, where he is set to deliver a speech at the European Parliament. As part of the visit, he will also meet with the president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola.

A meeting between Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and President of the Republic of France Emmanuel Macron took place in Paris, the PM’s Office said in a readout.

The interlocutors discussed a wide range of issues on the agenda of Armenia-France bilateral relations. In particular, they touched upon issues related to the deepening of political dialogue, the implementation of joint programs in the economy and infrastructure sectors.

The parties also exchanged views on regional developments, both emphasizing the continuity of consistent efforts aimed at strengthening peace and stability in the region.

Nikol Pashinyan and Emmanuel Macron also touched upon the prospects for the further development of Armenia-European Union cooperation. Both sides emphasized the importance of deepening partnership in various directions and effectively promoting joint initiatives.

Armenian authorities have issued an arrest warrant for Alexander Sargsyan, the youngest brother of former President Serzh Sargsyan, in what prosecutors say is a case involving no-show jobs at the defense ministry. 

Sargsyan is formally charged under Article 46-256, Part 3, Point 3 of the Criminal Code (inciting the misappropriation of entrusted property).

Sargsyan is currently wanted. According to prosecutors, he allegedly arranged no-show jobs for his bodyguard and driver at the military police. The two were officially registered as military police employees but never performed any duties, yet received payments, the prosecutor’s office told Armenpress.

Sargsyan is said to have coerced military police officials at the defense ministry to formalize the appointments between 2001 and 2018.

Alexander Sargsyan served as a member of parliament representing the Republican Party (HHK) from 2003 until 2007 and again from 2007 to 2011. His brother, Serzh Sargsyan, served as President of Armenia from 2008 until 2018.

Armenian Ambassador to Greece Tigran Mkrtchyan met with Pelops Laskos, Secretary General of the Greek Ministry of Justice.

The embassy said in a readout that the meeting discussed steps to establish institutional cooperation between Armenia and Greece in the field of justice.

Tigran Mkrtchyan presented the reforms being implemented in Armenia in this area and highlighted the important role of the European Union in this process.

Pelops Laskos, noting that Greece will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2027, emphasized that one of the three main pillars of the EU’s activities is cooperation in the justice system between member states and partner countries.

Border crossings between Armenia and Iran continue normally amid the ongoing hostilities in the Islamic Republic, according to the foreign ministry.

The Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that the Armenian Embassy in Iran continues to operate in emergency mode, assisting not only Armenian citizens but also foreigners willing to leave the country and enter Armenia.

On March 9, one Armenian citizen returned from Iran to Armenia. Another citizen had returned earlier after the U.S.-Israeli campaign began.

“The Armenian Embassy in Iran receives an average of around 20–25 calls per day, mostly concerning the possibility of crossing the Armenia–Iran border. Border crossings from Iran to Armenia and from Armenia to Iran are being carried out under normal conditions. Due to communication restrictions, the Armenian Embassy in Iran is continuously assisting in conveying information about Armenians currently in Iran to their relatives,” the foreign ministry said.

There have been no reports of Armenian nationals among the casualties in Iran.

Foreign citizens also continue to contact the embassy to obtain information about the possibility of entering the Republic of Armenia. They are being provided with the necessary explanations and guidance, the foreign ministry said.

At the same time, the embassy continues to provide the necessary assistance to diplomats from several diplomatic missions accredited in Iran, as well as to their family members, facilitating their return through the territory of Armenia.

The U.S. and Israel launched what they described as a pre-emptive strike against Iran on February 28, claiming that Tehran was developing a nuclear weapon and posing a threat—an allegation Iran has denied. In response, Iran launched counterattacks, firing missiles and drones at Israel, as well as at U.S. assets and other targets across the Middle East. 

Armenian Police requested the Investigative Committee to investigate and validate the Foreign Intelligence Service report about a foreign meddling attempt in the general elections.

Armenia’s Foreign Intelligence Service warned earlier on Tuesday of a foreign interference threat, with gathered intelligence indicating that “various actors” are attempting to meddle in the country’s upcoming June 7 parliamentary elections by pressuring Armenians abroad, namely in a specific country, to support certain political parties.

Hours later the Ministry of Internal Affairs said that police formally filed a report to the Investigative Committee to launch a probe.

“The Foreign Intelligence Service of the Republic of Armenia has disseminated information indicating that, in a foreign country, various actors presenting themselves as representatives of that country’s special services are attempting to exert pressure on individuals of Armenian origin and citizens of the Republic of Armenia who conduct economic activities there. According to the information, such pressure is aimed at encouraging them to carry out actions in support of certain political forces that have submitted applications to participate in the upcoming parliamentary elections in Armenia. Based on this information, the Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs carried out verification measures. As a result, a notification of a suspected crime containing elements of obstruction of the free exercise of electoral rights through material inducement, as well as coercion to participate in elections by exploiting material or other forms of dependency, has been submitted to the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia. The Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs reminds that any unlawful influence or interference in electoral processes is subject to legal assessment. The public is urged to remain vigilant. If you have information about similar cases, please immediately contact the Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs by calling 112, sending information to [email protected], or submitting it through the azdararir.am platform,” the Ministry of Internal Affairs said in a statement.