French President Emmanuel Macron called on the parties to the conflict in the Middle East to halt hostilities and sit down at the negotiating table, while respecting the interests of the countries in the region.

“I will speak with the President of Iran. However, France has had the same position from the outset. We call for an end to all military operations and for diplomatic negotiations to begin, while respecting the interests of all countries in the region. Yes, the Strait of Hormuz must be open to all ships, without any fees or restrictive measures. Any escalation against any country or vessel is a mistake; it leads to an even greater increase in tensions,” said the President of France at a joint press conference with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, when asked by a French reporter on the matter.

Addressing a question about US President Donald Trump’s statements on increasing tariffs on the EU, Macron said:

“We want fair and free trade based on rules and agreements. Signed agreements must be respected. If they are called into question, or if any country issues threats, then the EU must respond. Yes, everything is on the table, and I believe that in this geopolitical period, allies such as the United States and the EU have other things to do than try to destabilize the situation. Our companies, our families, and our societies need a message of stability and trust. Everything is on the table, but let us hope that reason will return so that everything can remain in harmony.”

The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 5 May, USD exchange rate down by 0.34 drams to 370.44 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 1.51 drams to 432.9 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.0372 drams to 4.9006 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 0.24 drams to 501.65 drams.

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

Gold price up by 1318 drams to 55225 drams.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said a newly signed strategic partnership document with France will enable more effective use of the current level of bilateral relations.

Speaking at a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron, Pashinyan noted that Armenia and France already maintain a broad and established agenda, and the document both reflects this reality and creates additional opportunities to deepen cooperation.

Responding to a journalist’s question, Pashinyan stressed that agreements signed at the highest level send a strong signal to various sectors in both countries that favourable political conditions have been created.

“The most important point is that documents signed at the highest level ultimately send a message to various sectors in both countries that favourable political conditions have been created and that all the prerequisites exist for establishing partnerships and reaching agreements. The role of governments is to create opportunities and a favourable environment so that companies in both the private and public sectors begin to act. We signed the document and, practically two minutes later, many new opportunities opened up and were realised, and this process will be continuous,” Pashinyan said.

Armenia and France have signed a joint declaration establishing a strategic partnership.

The declaration was signed by Prime Minister Pashinyan and President Macron during Macron’s state visit to Armenia.

The official welcoming ceremony for Emmanuel Macron, who arrived in Armenia on a state visit, took place in Yerevan. The national anthems of Armenia and France were played, after which the leaders introduced members of their delegations.

According to a readout by the Prime Minister’s Office, an expanded meeting between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Macron was held afterward.

Welcoming the French president and his delegation, Pashinyan said the state visit had been warmly received by the public, noting that over the past two days Macron had brought “great happiness” to many citizens of Armenia and visiting guests.

“They had the opportunity to communicate with you, take photos, express their love for you and, of course, feel your love for them. I think this is truly a new page, not only in terms of Armenia–France relations, but also in the protocol logic of state visits,” Pashinyan said, adding that the events in Yerevan would long remain in people’s memory.

According to the prime minister, the emotional atmosphere surrounding the visit reflects the level of relations between the two countries.

“You have proven that the highest level is expressed not only at the level of state institutions, but also at the level of our peoples,” he said, adding that Armenian citizens feel France’s support, friendship, and goodwill.

Pashinyan expressed gratitude to Macron, describing the visit as long-awaited and significant, and said it opens “a new page in diplomatic experience.”

Macron, in turn, thanked Armenia for the warm welcome, noting the importance of the visit.

“We are deeply impressed by the warm popular reception that France has received, as well as by the success that this visit represents for Armenia,” he said, referring also to the European Political Community Summit in Yerevan 2026 and the first Armenia–European Union summit.

Macron reiterated France’s support for Armenia’s ongoing efforts and stressed the importance of maintaining steady progress.

He noted that several agreements are expected to be signed during the visit within the framework of a developing strategic partnership, particularly in defense and security, as well as in economic cooperation and investment.

The French president also highlighted plans to expand cooperation in areas ranging from artificial intelligence to public policy implementation.

According to Macron, the visit reflects both the depth of bilateral relations and the strong ties between the two nations.

“Armenia is loved in France,” he said, pointing to shared human connections visible in cities such as Yerevan, Lyon, and Marseille, adding that the two countries have “interconnected destinies.”

French President Emmanuel Macron has defended his support for Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, stressing the need to distinguish between foreign interference and openly expressed political positions.

Speaking at a press conference following his meeting with Pashinyan, Macron responded to a question from a French journalist who recalled his earlier remarks on alleged Russian interference in Armenia’s elections and asked whether his support for Pashinyan could also be considered interference.

Macron said it is necessary to distinguish “foreign interventions that try to manipulate democratic life” from “political positions that are openly taken.”

“I undertake this support. I support this colleague of mine, whom I have trusted for eight years, as I did when supporting Moldovan President Maia Sandu, who was facing a non-European alternative. I fully undertake this decision to defend Europe,” he stated.

He emphasized that such support differs fundamentally from covert actions aimed at destabilizing democratic institutions.

“This is not the same as influences involving manipulation of information through the media or attempts to undermine the rule of law through the dissemination of false information,” Macron said, adding that such actions are carried out “through foreign agents on the orders of Moscow” with the aim of falsifying democracy.

“I voice my arguments, I participate in democracy as the President of France. I do not falsify. That is the difference, and it is important to remember that,” he added.

Responding to the same question regarding Armenia’s rapprochement with the European Union, Pashinyan reiterated his previously stated position.

“I answered this question in my speech in the European Parliament in 2023. Armenia is ready to be as close to the EU as the EU deems possible,” he said.

Romanian President Nicușor Dan has left Armenia early after the country’s parliament passed a vote of no confidence in the government of Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan.

The Guardian reported the development.

According to reports, Dan is due to make a statement on the situation at 18:00 local time (19:00 Yerevan time).

President Dan said the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians would have no role in forming the next government and assured that Romania would maintain its pro-Western course.

Earlier on 5 May, Romania’s parliament had passed the no-confidence vote in Bolojan’s government. A total of 281 lawmakers voted in favour, with four against.

Nicușor Dan had been in Armenia to attend the European Political Community summit.

EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Magdalena Grono touched upon the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process and the role of external players during a panel discussion held within the framework of the Yerevan Dialogue international forum.

Grono noted that the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process has been a “wonderful and powerful” one, adding that it has received important support from external partners.

“I think that the two capitals themselves were the owners of this project and gave it crucial importance,” she said.

Grono underscored the role of the leadership shown by both sides, noting that they want to be partners in the sense that the agenda is set by the regional actors themselves, while external partners support where their approach is useful.

She added that all possibilities for cooperation had been discussed, expressing hope for new opportunities for regional cooperation when the time is right. She also stressed the importance of addressing humanitarian issues.

Armenia and Azerbaijan signed a peace agreement on August 8, 2025, during a summit in Washington, D.C., mediated by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and French President Emmanuel Macron laid a wreath at the memorial in Gyumri commemorating the victims of the December 7, 1988 earthquake. 

They then toured the city and spoke with residents.

Macron attended the 8th Summit of the European Political Community in Yerevan on May 4. His state visit to Armenia began on May 5.

The European Commission (DG ENEST) and Firebird AI have announced the signing of a declaration on strategic cooperation in the digital and energy sectors, aimed at strengthening Armenia’s position as a regional hub for technology, artificial intelligence and sustainable infrastructure.

According to a statement released by Firebird, the parties reaffirmed their shared goal of advancing EU–Armenia cooperation through strategic investments in digital and energy infrastructure, supporting resilience, innovation, competitiveness and sustainable growth.

The document was signed in Yerevan during the EU–Armenia summit by Adrienn Király, Director for Neighbourhood East and Türkiye at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Enlargement and the Eastern Neighbourhood, and Firebird AI co-founder Alexander Yesayan. It reflects a joint commitment to promote cooperation in artificial intelligence infrastructure and energy sustainability through large-scale investments, contributing to innovation, competitiveness and long-term economic growth.

Firebird AI has announced plans to establish in Armenia one of the world’s largest artificial intelligence computing centres, based on high-performance graphics processing units from Nvidia. The project aims to position Armenia among global leaders in AI data centre capacity.

In parallel, the deployment of a battery energy storage system (BESS) with a capacity of up to 1 GW is planned, which will support the stability of the electricity infrastructure and the integration of renewable energy. The European Commission recognises and welcomes the significant impact of this initiative on Armenia’s energy system and encourages its successful preparation and implementation as a contribution to EU–Armenia partnership.

The European Commission will consider and examine how to mobilise its financial instruments, in particular under the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+), in support of this initiative and its alignment with EU policy.

Key documents aimed at developing bilateral cooperation in high technologies and the defence industry were signed on 5 May during the state visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Armenia.

A memorandum of understanding between the governments of Armenia and France was signed on cooperation in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and semiconductors. The document was signed by Armenia’s Minister of High-Tech Industry Mkhitar Hayrapetyan and France’s Minister Delegate for European Affairs Benjamin Haddad.

According to Armenia’s Ministry of High-Tech Industry, the memorandum aims to promote cooperation between the two countries in these strategic areas by developing research and innovation capacities, as well as supporting the implementation of joint projects. It covers a wide range of cooperation, including the development of high-performance computing infrastructure, data science and machine learning, the digitalisation of public services, and the application of artificial intelligence across various sectors of the economy.

Another memorandum of understanding was signed between Armenia’s Ministry of High-Tech Industry and France’s Ministry of Defence on cooperation. The document was signed by Mkhitar Hayrapetyan and France’s Minister Delegate for the Armed Forces and Veterans Alice Rufo.

The memorandum is aimed at deepening cooperation between the two countries in research, development and innovation in military technologies and defence systems. It sets out a framework for joint activities focused on the exchange of experience, the implementation of joint programmes and the development of the defence industry.

The signed documents create new opportunities to deepen Armenia–France cooperation in the high-tech sector, contributing to technological progress, the development of innovative ecosystems and the strengthening of bilateral strategic partnership.