Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan participated in an EU Foreign Affairs Council-format meeting at the invitation of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, and the foreign ministers of EU member states participated in the meeting, which was held over breakfast, according to the Armenian Foreign Ministry.

The EU Council earlier reported that, before the beginning of the FAC meeting, EU foreign affairs ministers would have an informal exchange over breakfast with Mirzoyan.

According to the Foreign Ministry’s readout, the “EU partners congratulated Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan on the democratic parliamentary elections held in Armenia and on the victory of the Civil Contract party.”

They underscored the EU’s and its member states’ support for the consistent implementation of the Armenia–EU strategic partnership agenda and their political commitment to advancing European integration.

“Minister Mirzoyan presented the developments in and around Armenia during the pre-election and post-election periods, emphasizing that through their vote, Armenia’s citizens reaffirmed their desire to live in peace and to safeguard the country’s independence, sovereignty, the irreversibility of democratic reforms, the chosen path toward prosperity, and Armenia’s aspirations for a European future,” the Foreign Ministry said.

Minister Mirzoyan noted that the fact that his first post-election visit is taking place in this format with the EU, with the aim of further deepening Armenia–EU cooperation, demonstrates the mutual commitment of both sides.

The parties exchanged views on practical mechanisms and possible steps to increase Armenia–EU trade, as well as to strengthen Armenia’s economic and energy resilience. Minister Mirzoyan highly valued the support provided thus far by the EU and its member states in countering hybrid threats and diversifying economic ties.

An agreement was reached to continue work in these areas through active cooperation with both EU institutions and individual EU member states.

Firebird press release 

Firebird Inc. announced the signing of strategic cooperation agreements with the Government of Kazakhstan aimed at supporting the development of national next-generation artificial intelligence infrastructure, advanced computing capacity, and a globally competitive digital AI ecosystem.

The discussions and signing of cooperation agreements were held in Astana with the participation of Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov, Vice President of Omniverse and Simulation Technology at NVIDIA Rev Lebaredian, Firebird Co-Founders Razmig Hovaghimian and Alexander Yesayan, senior officials of the Government and representatives of the country’s leading technology organizations.

The cooperation establishes a foundation for future collaboration in AI infrastructure, advanced computing systems, cloud technologies, research initiatives, and digital economy development. It supports Kazakhstan’s ambition to strengthen its position as a leading technology and innovation hub in Central Eurasia.

The agreements follow a high-level meeting earlier this year between President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, NVIDIA Vice President of Global AI Infrastructure Growth Nico Caprez, and Firebird Co-Founders, where the parties discussed opportunities for collaboration in the design, construction, and operation of large-scale next-generation computing platforms.

“Countries that invest today in advanced AI computing capacity, talent development, and innovation ecosystems will shape the economic opportunities of tomorrow. Firebird combines proven deployment experience with cutting edge U.S. technology stack, deep partnerships across the global AI ecosystem, and the ability to execute large-scale AI infrastructure projects securely, with exceptional speed. We are proud to support Kazakhstan’s vision and look forward to helping build long-term national AI capacity,” said Razmig Hovaghimian.

“Artificial intelligence is becoming the new foundational infrastructure of the global economy. To develop our own AI solutions, individual digital products are not enough: a holistic ecosystem is needed, encompassing energy, modern data centers, computing power, data, and access to advanced technologies. Kazakhstan is consistently building such a foundation. Our goal is to transform the country’s infrastructural advantages into a long-term driver of economic growth and strengthen Kazakhstan’s position as one of the key digital hubs in Eurasia,” noted Zhaslan Madiyev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Firebird is currently completing the first phase of its flagship AI Factory in Armenia, scheduled to become operational in July 2026. Developed from initial construction to deployment readiness in just over six months, the project represents one of the fastest AI infrastructure rollouts of its kind globally. Under Firebird’s approved three-phase expansion strategy, the platform is designed to scale beyond 100,000 NVIDIA Blackwell and Vera Rubin GPUs by the end of 2027, creating one of the world’s largest AI computing platforms.

Firebird’s experience demonstrates that large-scale AI infrastructure projects can be successfully delivered through collaboration between governments, technology companies, financial institutions, and research communities.

Firebird is not just building data centers. The company creates national AI capacity that allows countries to participate in the AI economy at global scale.

About Firebird

Firebird is a U.S.-based AI cloud and infrastructure company designed to provide secure, scalable, and globally accessible GPU infrastructure. Its mission is to democratize access to advanced AI computing, enabling innovation across research and enterprise in both the private and public sectors.

Armenia and Belgium are developing cultural ties, with the CEO of the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel, Grégor Chapelle, currently visiting Yerevan to establish partnerships.

The Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel is a Belgian academic institution for artistic training of young musicians. It was inaugurated by Queen Elisabeth of Belgium in 1939.

Belgian Ambassador to Armenia Eric de Muynck said at a press conference that many meetings and a concert program are expected during the visit.

“We aim to build bridges between Belgium and Armenia, both between institutions and between peoples and professionals. Grégor Chapelle is in Armenia to help create a new bridge with the goal of expanding cooperation between the two countries. Armenia has excellent cultural institutions, and in recent years we have tried to establish connections with Belgian partners. And now we want to strengthen the ties between Armenian institutions and the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel,” said the ambassador.

Previously, individuals from Armenia have applied to and received their education at this prestigious institution. Grégor Chapelle, CEO of the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel, noted that the current effort is to place the process on an institutional footing and, through cooperation between state bodies and partners, guide more young people toward the institution.

“I consider this not the beginning of a friendship, but its continuation. The cooperation between the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel and Armenians dates back to 1939. It is known that even then there were warm relations between Queen Elisabeth and composer Aram Khachaturian. Taking this into account, we can say that we are here not to establish new ties, but to continue the relationship,” said Grégor Chapelle.

The Armenian diaspora living in Belgium and Armenians in the diaspora play a major role in strengthening Armenia–Belgium cultural ties and expanding cooperation. The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) has contributed to forming this new bridge of cooperation through various educational programs that encourage young professionals.

AGBU Armenia President and AGBU Central Board member Vasken Yacoubian noted that this year is symbolic for AGBU, as the organization is celebrating the 120th anniversary of its founding.

“We are working in several directions, including education and culture. And cooperation with the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel is no coincidence. We provide grants in various fields, including performing arts. Previously, we have also had students who continued their education at the Music Chapel through our grants, so we expect more applicants, and we will also consider possibilities for support,” he said, emphasizing that diaspora involvement is significant in programs implemented in Armenia.

Armenian musicians can apply to the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in six fields—piano, cello, violin, viola, chamber music, and vocal—through a competitive process involving recordings, auditions in Belgium, and a three-year study program.

Former State Minister of Nagorno-Karabakh, Ruben Vardanyan’s wife, Veronika Zonabend, has announced her intention to organise an international women’s humanitarian delegation to travel to Baku in the coming weeks, where her husband has been imprisoned since 2023 and wrongfully convicted in proceedings widely seen as sham trials involving other Armenian prisoners.

In a statement, Zonabend said the visit will take place at Vardanyan’s request.

Below is the full statement:

“My husband has been unlawfully detained in Azerbaijan since September 2023. For more than three years, he has been kept away from his family and from everyone who loves him. During this time, his granddaughters were born — granddaughters he has never held in his arms.

I write this as a loving wife, as a mother, as a grandmother, and as someone who can no longer wait in silence while various institutions explain why they cannot — or should not — act. But this is not only about Ruben.

Eighteen more Armenians remain in detention in Azerbaijan. Many of them have not seen their loved ones in six years. They have received no letters. They have not heard the voices of those close to them. They have not held in their hands a photograph of their children, their grandchildren — and some, of their great-grandchildren.

To their families, they are not an “agenda item,” a “political problem,” or a “complex diplomatic case.” They are husbands, fathers, grandfathers, sons, and brothers. Their only offence was wanting to live on their ancestral land, to speak their language, and to preserve their culture. Today it too often seems as though their fate matters deeply to no one beyond their own families. Throughout this time, an endless conversation has continued around their fate — about mechanisms, procedures, mandates, and political circumstances. While some are occupied with preserving their political positions, others spend years in detention waiting for a single photograph, a letter, or a few words from those they love.

Following the closure of the ICRC delegation office in Baku, the families of Armenian detainees have been left without regular, independent humanitarian access to their loved ones. The international mechanisms designed to protect people in such circumstances have, in practice, ceased to function. Armenia’s Human Rights Defender has stated that this matter falls outside her mandate. Official delegations from their own country, when visiting Azerbaijan, have not found a way to see these people — to check on their conditions of detention or their state of health.

In the face of this institutional vacuum of accountability, I can no longer simply wait. At Ruben’s request, I intend to organise an international women’s humanitarian delegation to travel to Baku in the coming weeks.

I call upon Azerbaijan’s Human Rights Commissioner, Ms. Sabina Aliyeva, and her office, to facilitate the arrival of this delegation in Baku, to arrange an official meeting, to organise a visit to the Armenian prisoners held at the Umbaki Penitentiary Complex, and to enable the formal transfer of packages, photographs, letters, and permitted personal belongings from their families, in accordance with Azerbaijani law.

For those who are imprisoned, this will serve as a reminder: they have not been forgotten.

I believe we remain human only when we refuse to let indifference become the norm — when we continue to cultivate compassion, love, and mercy within ourselves, even in the most difficult of circumstances.

I want to believe that even where politics has destroyed trust, there remains space for a human gesture. Leaders of nations and powerful states are remembered by history not only for their victories, but for the mercy they showed to those who found themselves in their power. It is precisely such acts that history values most — for they reveal strength united with dignity.

This initiative is not a political act. It is an attempt to restore at least a minimal connection between those in detention, their families, and all those who care about their fate. Such a connection helps a person preserve their dignity — and without dignity, it is impossible to speak of genuine and lasting peace between neighbouring peoples.

Over the next two weeks, we are collecting letters of support for the Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan. We will do our best to deliver them alongside family packages as part of this humanitarian initiative.

Letters may be sent in any language to: [email protected]

Subject line: Letter of Support – Armenian Detainees

If your letter is addressed to a specific person, please include their name in the subject line.

The names of the women who will form part of the delegation will be announced in due course.”

US Vice President JD Vance has said that he plans to attend the signing ceremony in Switzerland for a newly announced peace deal with Iran, adding that President Donald Trump could also be present.

“I certainly plan to be there, but it’s possible the president himself could be there,” he told Fox News in an interview. “We’re still figuring out the logistics on who’s going to attend that signing ceremony.”

U.S. President Donald Trump earlier announced that a deal with Iran has been finalized. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose country has been mediating talks between the United States and Iran, has said that the peace deal will be signed on Friday in Switzerland.

“We can say with confidence Iran will never have a nuclear weapon,” Vance said.

“If the Iranians comply with this deal, it is going to fundamentally transform the Middle East for the next 50 years,” he said.

According to The New York Times, the Iranian side will be represented at the signing ceremony in Geneva by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

E4 nations, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy, said they were prepared to lift sanctions on Iran in response to steps on its nuclear program after the US and Iran reached a deal.

In a joint statement about the deal published by their governments, the leaders of the UK, France, Germany, and Italy said they will work closely with the US, Iran, and regional partners to “seize this moment”.

The leaders called for the agreement to be “implemented rapidly and comprehensively” and said that the “urgent reopening of the Strait of Hormuz with unconditional and unrestricted freedom of navigation is essential”.

The group emphasized that Iran “must never acquire a nuclear weapon” and that they are “prepared to lift relevant sanctions in response to clear, verifiable steps by Iran on its nuclear programme”.

“We will work intensively with the US, Iran and regional partners to seize this moment, maintain momentum and achieve a long-term diplomatic settlement.”

World leaders welcomed the U.S.-Iran agreement to end the Middle East war, with some European nations signaling they were prepared to lift sanctions on Tehran in exchange for the country taking steps to curb its nuclear program.

Below is international reaction to the agreement:

A spokesperson for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres:

“The Secretary-General welcomes the announcement ‌that the United States and Iran have agreed on a peace deal that provides for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, as well as a framework for further negotiations. This represents a critical step towards the peaceful settlement of the conflict.”

Joint statement from E4 leaders Britain, France, Germany and Italy:

“Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon. We stand ready to work with the U.S., Iran and the IAEA to this end.”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“The Australian Government welcomes the agreement by the United States and Iran. Australia has long called for de-escalation and ⁠an end to the conflict, including in Lebanon. As we have said, the longer this war goes on, the greater the impact will be. Continued restraint and constructive engagement will be essential to prevent further escalation and secure a lasting agreement.”

Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker:

“I call on all parties to ensure the swift and full implementation of the memorandum, including the permanent opening of the Strait of Hormuz in order to guarantee freedom of navigation in accordance with international law. This agreement opens a window for negotiations towards a more stable and secure Middle East, and I urge all parties to engage constructively. This includes addressing Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer:

“We are clear that toll-free freedom of navigation must now be restored in the Strait of Hormuz … Iran must never have a nuclear weapon.”

President of the European Council Antonio Costa:

“I welcome the agreement just announced between Washington and Tehran. I look forward to an end to this ‌costly war ⁠and to the full restoration of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.”

French President Emmanuel Macron:

“I welcome the agreement reached between the United States and Iran, the result of a diplomatic effort to which several partners contributed. I call for its swift and full implementation by all belligerents. This agreement must allow for the urgent and unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which the international mission established with the United Kingdom is ready to support.”

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz:

“I welcome the agreement between the U.S. and Iran ⁠and congratulate President Trump and the Iranian side on this diplomatic breakthrough. This can pave the way towards a reinvigorated global economy and a more secure Middle East. It is crucial to implement it with determination.”

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi:

Japan “strongly hopes” that “free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz will be ensured in practice, and that a final ⁠agreement on Iran’s nuclear issue and other matters will be reached as soon as possible.”

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters:

“This pivotal, constructive deal is a step towards reducing tensions and promoting stability in a region that is critical to global economic security … Dialogue and diplomacy remain the most effective means of resolving longstanding ⁠issues.”

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan:

“I view the agreement reached between the United States and Iran as an important development for establishing peace and tranquility in our region, and I welcome it with satisfaction.

“I emphatically underscore the need to avoid rhetoric, provocations, and actions that could escalate tensions in the period leading up to the signing of the agreement, and to remain vigilant against possible sabotage.”

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas:

“The US and Iran have announced a deal to end the war and re-open the Strait of Hormuz. This marks a potential breakthrough. It can give much needed space for deeper negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme and other critical issues. Once implemented, the deal should also ease the global energy crisis. I have spoken to my Iranian and Gulf counterparts in recent days, and today, EU Foreign Ministers will discuss how the EU can be closely involved in the next phase. From economic leverage to nuclear expertise and longstanding relationships with Gulf partners, the EU stands ready to contribute to a sustainable resolution.”

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has welcomed the peace deal between the US and Iran.

“We welcome the agreement reached between the United States and Iran. We highly commend the mediation undertaken by Pakistan, Qatar, Turkiye and others. We do hope that this significant development will pave the way for a comprehensive and lasting peace across the Middle East,” Prime Minister Pashinyan said in a post on X.

US President Donald Trump earlier announced that a deal with Iran had been finalized. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose country has been mediating talks between the United States and Iran, said that the peace deal will be signed on Friday in Switzerland.

Israel has said that it will not withdraw from southern Lebanon, following the announcement of the US-Iran deal, which includes the termination of all hostilities on all fronts, including in Lebanon.

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I are leading a clear policy that determines that the IDF will remain in the security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza, without any time limit, to protect, from there, the border and Israeli communities against jihadist elements,” The Times of Israel quoted Defense Minister Israel Katz as saying.

He said the security zones will be “cleared of local residents, and all terror infrastructure, above and below ground, including the houses in the contact-line villages that served as terror outposts, will be destroyed.”

Katz added that holding onto the security zones is “among the IDF’s greatest achievements” in the war, and therefore, “we oppose an IDF withdrawal from Lebanon, despite all the existing pressures and those that will still come.”

“Prime Minister Netanyahu made these points clear to US President Trump and to other senior American officials, and I also made this clear yesterday to US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth,” he said, adding that the IDF also supports holding onto the security zone in Lebanon.

“We will not compromise on Israel’s security interests and the protection of our citizens, and we will not withdraw from the security zones,” Katz said.

Katz also warned that “if Iran attacks Israel because of events in Lebanon, we will strike it with full force.”

“We are committed only to our citizens and to the security of the State of Israel,” he added.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose country has been mediating talks between the United States and Iran, has said that Washington and Tehran will sign a peace deal on Friday in Switzerland. He said that both sides have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has described the Armenian-American TRIPP project as a further contribution by Washington to the development of sustainable peace and cooperation in the region.

In a statement published on X congratulating US President Donald Trump on his birthday, Aliyev lauded the US president for his determination to advance the peace process in the South Caucasus. Aliyev praised Trump for his “indispensable role” in establishing and deepening the strategic partnership between the US and Azerbaijan.

He continued: “We are also grateful to you for your determination in advancing the peace agenda in the South Caucasus. The Trilateral Joint Declaration signed in Washington in your presence, as well as the initialing of the Agreement on Establishment of Peace and Inter-State Relations with Armenia, are the result of your consistent efforts toward peacebuilding. At the same time, we view the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP) – which will ensure unobstructed connectivity between the main territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan, and will become part of the Middle Corridor – as a further contribution to the development of sustainable peace and cooperation in the region.”

The Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) is a connectivity project in Armenia envisaged under the US-brokered Armenian-Azerbaijani joint declaration signed in Washington, D.C., in 2025. The project is expected to unlock strategic economic opportunities, create long-term benefits by promoting infrastructure investment, and enhance regional connectivity. An Armenian-American joint enterprise is expected to develop the route.