April 19, 2026
“Pressing” said on the show Armen Ashotyan, Vice Chairman of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA).the, referred to the international structures, the visits of their heads to Yerevan and their influence on the internal political, in particular, electoral processes.
“The UN is an international organization consisting of 197 countries, which is in a deep systemic and institutional crisis. The main actors in the UN, apart from the 5 permanent members of the Security Council, whose opinion we know, are either Islamic states under influence or small poor states. It is naive to think that EU, OSCE, CIS observation delegations will be bad, but the UN will be good. This will not work. Yes, observation missions are important, but in this case, local observers, whom Nikol opposed before the elections, are much more important. If something like this were to happen in our time, the EU ambassador would be in Republic Square would do harm,” said Armen Ashotyan, adding that the policy of double standards in the European conjuncture is disgusting.
According to him, on the occasion of the European summit to be held in Yerevan, the Armenian people will show that they are not plants, so that they do not put us in the place of a donkey, that they do not come to our house, eat and drink, and ask how we are…
“We’re bad… If they come to Yerevan on those days and don’t see pickets, protests, if the international media don’t show that we raised our voice that day… then let’s go and die… They will understand that they didn’t come to Armenia for the weekend.
Marta Kos is a serious woman, she cannot come to Armenia and tell a lie, say: you know, you have a prospect of becoming a member of the EU. But I got angry because he came to Yerevan and Gyumri, ran around for two days, and didn’t put up a single poster or picket against them. We missed a cool chance. Now that woman will go to Brussels and say: everything is fine, no lawyer approached me, did not convey anything on political topics, I did not see any demonstration, long live Nicole… There are so many people sitting, what if someone’s child or grandchild didn’t go? Martha Kos said, give this letter to my father or grandfather… This is how European politics works. I’m sorry that we didn’t understand that,” concluded Armen Ashotyan.
Details in the video.
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Turkey promotes Middle Corridor through Armenia as alternative to Strait of Ho
Ankara hopes to open its border with Armenia and create a new trade route between Europe and Asia, writes the Financial Times
Turkey has stepped up the promotion of the so-called Middle Corridor as an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, hoping to open its border with Armenia and create a new trade route between Europe and Asia, writes the Financial Times.
This refers to the TRIPP project (Trump’s Path to International Peace and Prosperity), supported by the US president as part of the peace initiatives between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Turkish authorities have already begun preparations to reopen the Alikan border crossing, closed 32 years ago, the article says.
„We do not know when the border will open; the date is constantly changing. “But everyone thinks it will happen soon,” a Turkish border guard told the publication.
Ankara hopes to establish itself as a key transit hub amid risks to supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has previously said that Turkey is becoming an “island of stability” and is seen as a secure route for energy supplies.
The Middle Corridor envisions a land link between China and Europe via the Caucasus and Turkey. According to former Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, delivery along this route could take 12-15 days, compared to around 40 days by sea. The supply potential is expected to increase from 5 million to 20 million tons per year.
The EU calls Turkey a “critical partner“, and the expansion of the corridor “a game-changer“.
However, the project faces a number of risks: complex logistics across the Caspian Sea, differences in rail infrastructure and political factors. The route passes close to Iran and Russia.
Experts note that the implementation of TRIPP depends on political support and investment from the United States and in the short term it is unlikely to replace sea routes or the northern corridor through Russia.
Last fall, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev announced the imminent completion of the Zangezur transport corridor, known as the “Trump Road“, in the country. He noted that the railway, with a capacity of 15 million tons of cargo per year, will become a key link in the Middle Corridor – the Trans-Caspian international route.
The Zangezur Corridor is a planned transport route that will connect the mainland of Azerbaijan with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic through the Syunik province in southern Armenia. It will be approximately 40 kilometers long. The project is planned to include the construction of a highway and a railway.
The project was dubbed the “Trump Road to International Peace and Prosperity” after the signing of a peace declaration by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev during a meeting with Donald Trump.
The Zangezur Transport Corridor, which is currently under construction, has the potential to have a significant impact on the global economy. According to World Bank estimates, its opening could increase annual global trade by $50-100 billion by 2027.
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Azerbaijan’s Exports to Armenia Reach $5.8 Million, While Imports from Armeni
This material is part of a partnership with OC Media. You can read the original English version here.
In the first quarter of 2026, Azerbaijan exported $5.8 million worth of products to Armenia, while imports from Armenia totaled just $960. Meanwhile, the Armenian side emphasized that Armenia has not yet carried out any exports to Azerbaijan, and media outlets suggested that this figure could have resulted from gifts brought to Azerbaijan by representatives of Armenian civil society.
The Armenian publication CivilNet, citing the State Revenue Committee of Armenia, reported that the country’s customs authorities recorded no instances of export to Azerbaijan. The Ministry of Economy of Armenia provided similar information to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL).
At the same time, RFE/RL suggested that the $960 sum could have been composed of gifts presented by Armenian experts and civil society representatives to their Azerbaijani colleagues during visits to Azerbaijan. Specifically, Boris Navasardyan, honorary president of the Yerevan Press Club and a participant in such meetings, noted that Armenian delegations often gave sweets and tea to Azerbaijanis.
Representatives of Armenian and Azerbaijani civil society have made mutual visits in recent months as the two countries move toward signing a peace agreement.
The most recent such visit took place in early April: an Armenian delegation arrived in Azerbaijan via a demarcated land section of the border in the northern part of the Tavush province, heading to the Gazakh district.
The Azerbaijani state news agency Azertac reported that Azerbaijan’s exports to Armenia accounted for 0.11% of the country’s total export volume for the first three months of 2026.
Separately, the pro-government Azerbaijani outlet APA noted that oil products made up the bulk of trade between the two countries, though it did not specify which goods Azerbaijan imported from Armenia for the $960 amount.
Trade between the two countries began only late last year following the initialing of a peace treaty in Washington in August, which could potentially end the long-standing conflict.
In January, Armenia and Azerbaijan exchanged lists of potential goods for trade.
Later, Armenian Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan told Armenian media that Yerevan is negotiating with Baku on the export of aluminum foil, raw materials for its production, ferromolybdenum, livestock, raw materials for brandy production, tobacco, textiles, roses, and other greenhouse products.
Last year, Azerbaijan exported $788,800 worth of goods to Armenia. There were no exports from Armenia to Azerbaijan.
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‘They are stealing the election’: How Armenia became the next Russia-EU battle
The European Union breathed a sigh of relief last week when Hungary voted out Prime Minister Viktor Orban in favour of Peter Magyar.
Like Moldova’s election last year, the vote was seen as an ideological battleground between the Kremlin and Brussels.
Orban, a long-standing ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, will be replaced by Magyar, who said he wants to repair ties with the EU. “Hungary has chosen Europe,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said after the results were announced.
Now the bloc’s attention is shifting further east towards another former Soviet Union country seen to be making a similar choice: Armenia.
But this could have long-lasting consequences for the Armenian people, according to some observers.
A step towards Europe
The June 7 parliamentary elections in Armenia matter for Europe, as public opinion in the country – long aligned with Russia – is now turning toward Brussels.
While campaigning officially begins 30 days before the election, candidates have already hit the trail.
The current front-runner in the polls is Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the head of the political party Civil Contract. He came to power in 2018 after being elected in the wake of the Velvet Revolution, a series of anti-government protests. He is seeking reelection on a pro-European campaign.
One of his strongest opponents is Samvel Karapetyan, the Russian-Armenian billionaire who leads the Strong Armenia party. In 2025, he was arrested with 13 others on suspicion of attempting to destabilise the government.
But there are also a handful of other pro-European candidates, said Eric Hacopian, a political analyst at CivilNet, who points to such figures as Hayk Marutyan, the former mayor of Yerevan.
“This is a very interesting election because … you see the creation of a non-old regime, pro-Western opposition,” Hacopian said.
“And if they can actually make a breakthrough and enter the parliament, it will change our political system in a way that it hasn’t been changed since the 2018 revolution.”
Armenia’s changing relationship with Russia
Yerevan’s ties with Moscow have weakened since 2023, when nearly 100,000 ethnic Armenians fled Nagorno-Karabakh following Azerbaijan’s takeover of the region.
Yerevan accused Russian peacekeepers who were deployed to the enclave, previously controlled by Armenians, of failing to stop Baku’s military campaign.
Armenia has since suspended its membership of the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), which, like NATO, has a clause on mutual protection for its members.
“That scar is going to haunt this region for decades to come, no matter how much they try to bury it,” Hacopian said, referring to the nationwide mourning after the loss of Nagorno-Karabakh.
However, Yerevan is still an active member of the Eurasian Economic Union, which, like the EU, allows the freedom of movement of labour, goods and capital across its member states: Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
Russia also maintains a military base in Gyumri, Armenia’s second-largest city, and Russian remains widely spoken.
Security concerns
Because of Nagorno-Karabakh, Russia is no longer seen as a strong protector against Armenia’s neighbours, Azerbaijan and Turkey.
Pashinyan has suggested that his party losing the election could lead to more war.
And one of the reasons why Armenian politicians are courting the bloc is that it is associated with “security and prosperity”, according to Steve Nix, the International Republican Institute (IRI)’s senior director for Europe and Eurasia.
In a poll conducted by the IRI in February 2026, 72 percent of Armenians now support joining the European Union.
“The EU is very appealing,” Nix said. “So whatever campaign can convince the Armenian public that they can guarantee peace, prosperity and EU membership … That’s the message that’s gonna win over Armenia.”
In the same IRI poll, 29 percent of Armenians said that they saw Russia as the country’s greatest political threat, while only three percent said it was the European Union.
However, 43 percent of respondents said Moscow was Yerevan’s most important political partner.
Strong Armenia is trying to court this base, warning that Armenia could see an “economic war” with Russia if Pashinyan’s party stays in power.
Earlier this month, Putin told Armenia that it cannot be a part of both the Moscow-led economic alliance and the European Union.
Brussels is also getting involved in the election. In December of last year, the EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also said that Armenia had asked the bloc for help.
“Armenia has elections coming, and what can we do to help them? They have asked for similar help to fight the malign influence, like we granted to Moldova,” Kallas said.
While the “malign influence” wasn’t specified in her statement, Marta Kos, the European Commissioner for Enlargement, told the Parliament Magazine in an interview that Russian interference in the election was “already happening”.
From May 4 to 5, the bloc will host its first-ever EU-Armenia summit, where Pashinyan will represent Armenia alongside von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, the president of the European Council.
‘Stealing the election’
However, this potential ideological push and pull between Moscow and the West, including Brussels and the United States, is causing alarm to some observers, notably the International Observatory for Democracy in Armenia (IODA).
The organisation was established to monitor the democratic conditions ahead of the elections in June, and is made up of international human rights and democracy experts.
“We can see from the statements of both the West and Russia that they are trying to make their own choice, and this is not acceptable,” Philippe Kalfayan, an executive board member of the IODA, said.
“They are stealing the election from the Armenian citizens, and they are putting a lot of money on the table for that.”
One example of this, according to Kalfayan, is the above-mentioned EU-Armenia summit, which he said can signify to the public that the bloc supports Pashinyan, as it comes just a couple of weeks ahead of the election.
Politicians are also “weaponising” claims that certain parties and political actors are associated with Russia, Sarah Leah Whitson, a human-rights lawyer and member of IODA, said.
“The government is drumming up anxieties about Russian influence or what might happen from Russia – because they know that will encourage further support, financial or otherwise, from the EU and the US.”
And according to Kalfayan, “the current government has a very good relationship with Russia. Of course, (Moscow) would prefer somebody else less aggressive toward them.”
“But in the end, any Armenian government from whatever political party is obliged to have a good relationship with Russia.”
https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20260419-stealing-election-how-armenia-became-next-russia-eu-battlefield
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Kocharyan Links US-Iran Deal Prospects to Regional Trade Shifts and Questions
On April 16, Robert Kocharyan, the second President of the Republic of Armenia and the prime ministerial candidate from the Armenia bloc, stated during the “Big Politics” podcast that he is most interested in Iran and the United States reaching an agreement, arguing that such a development could allow Iran to emerge from the ongoing confrontation with greater leverage.
Kocharyan emphasized that if such an agreement includes a review of sanctions, their lifting, or significant easing, it would open new opportunities for economic cooperation with Iran. He stated, “Of course, Iran will need time to normalize relations with Arab countries, but I have no doubt that all this will be restored very quickly,” adding that this would create a favorable environment for economic rapprochement with Iran. He also described this scenario as highly likely, claiming that it is predictable that the US administration would lose control of Congress in the coming months and that the next years would be politically unstable in Washington.
Referring to regional transport and connectivity initiatives, Kocharyan stated that the TRIPP project has come into serious question due to growing concerns in relations with Iran. He emphasized that in the current situation he does not see practical implementation of TRIPP, arguing that the only viable option would be to expand the format to include countries such as Russia and China, or any state perceived by Iran as friendly. He further noted that if sanctions on Iran are lifted and a comprehensive settlement is reached, Iran could become a major transit route to Europe, significantly altering global logistics corridors, including routes involving China, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, and Europe. He stressed that Armenia must act cautiously in its relations with Iran and avoid steps that could damage long-standing ties.
Kocharyan also stated that Iran responded asymmetrically to US military actions, using its geographic position to offset US military superiority, and claimed this approach proved effective. He argued that escalation had involved attacks on US allies in the region and disruptions affecting strategic routes, while also referencing negotiations involving multiple Iranian proposals discussed in Pakistan.
He further stated that an agreement between Iran and the United States remains possible, but questioned whether Iran would be willing to make concessions or instead seek to consolidate its strategic position. Kocharyan also claimed that rhetoric from US political leadership has strengthened Iranian domestic unity and framed the confrontation as a patriotic struggle.
At the same time, he warned that a hot phase of conflict cannot be ruled out due to the unpredictability of US leadership, stating that military options alone would not be sufficient to achieve victory and that a ground operation would create serious challenges.
https://caucasuswatch.de/en/news/kocharyan-links-us-iran-deal-prospects-to-regional-trade-shifts-and-questions-future-of-tripp.html
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Pashinyan Says Azerbaijani Fuel Imports Break Market Monopoly
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Armenia’s import of Azerbaijani petroleum products has saved consumers “tens of billions,” describing the move as a breakthrough in dismantling entrenched monopolies in the domestic fuel market.
Speaking in parliament, Pashinyan argued that access to Azerbaijani fuel — transported via Georgia — helped shield Armenia from external shocks, including instability around the Strait of Hormuz. He described the development as the “final factor” in ending an eight-year monopoly. “Why eight years? Because we are fighting the mafia,” he said, adding that such networks can extend beyond national borders.
Pashinyan also confirmed that Armenia is entering the implementation phase of the U.S.-backed “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP), a regional connectivity initiative. According to him, Armenia, the United States, and Azerbaijan all view the reopening of regional communications as a shared priority, with the project expected to become “an important pillar of long-term, stable, and reliable peace.”
Presenting his government’s 2025 report, Pashinyan said Armenia has moved beyond a phase of “survival and struggle” and entered what he described as a historic period focused on state-building, economic development, and long-term prosperity. “Our historical mission is to… develop the Republic of Armenia… and pass it on to future generations as an independent, peaceful, secure, developed, and prosperous state,” he said.
He acknowledged that this transition came at a significant cost, but argued that the country has now shifted onto a “constructive and peaceful path.” Pashinyan also offered a reassessment of past national narratives, suggesting that earlier perceptions of control masked deeper structural weaknesses in statehood. “The reality is that the Republic of Armenia was not ours and is now ours,” he said.
He concluded that Armenia is entering a new phase in which “the state is both the goal and the means,” with public support — particularly from the 2021 elections — enabling this transition.
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Pashinyan Highlights Economic Growth, Rising Incomes in 2025 Report
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan presented his government’s economic performance in parliament, pointing to sustained growth, higher incomes, and expanded fiscal capacity since 2018.
According to Pashinyan, Armenia recorded an average annual GDP growth of 7.9% between 2021 and 2025, significantly exceeding the global average of 4.1% and the 3.1% average among Eurasian Economic Union member states.
State budget revenues have increased substantially, reaching levels 2.3 times higher than in 2017, with an overall rise of $4.3 billion. “Where did this $4.3 billion come from? It came from patiently and one by one closing all the loopholes for theft,” Nikol Pashinyan told lawmakers.
He also highlighted a near tripling of capital expenditures, which have grown 2.9 times over the same period.
On social indicators, Pashinyan said 288,000 jobs have been created since 2018, while average monthly income has risen by 87%. With cumulative inflation at 29%, he argued that employed citizens are now living “55% better” compared to 2017.
The government has also implemented support programs totaling 1 trillion 410 billion drams, which Pashinyan said were effectively returned to citizens through targeted initiatives.
He linked these outcomes to the 2018 Velvet Revolution, arguing that the movement aimed not only at political change but also at delivering measurable economic and social improvements.
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EU–Armenia Forum Highlights Governance and Institutional Gaps
EU Ambassador to Armenia Vassilis Maragos called for a more “ambitious and realistic” approach to reforms, emphasizing the need to strengthen implementation of agreements between Armenia and the European Union.
Speaking at the 8th EU–Armenia Civil Society Platform meeting, Maragos said Armenia is now “at the center of the European political agenda,” pointing to growing high-level engagement and upcoming summits.
He noted that EU-supported programs aim to improve both institutional frameworks and citizens’ quality of life, including through economic development, public service modernization, and private-sector growth. Some Armenian companies, he said, have already increased exports to European markets by more than 7% within a year.
Maragos highlighted progress in building a structured partnership, including the adoption of a new strategic agenda and expanded cooperation tools. He stressed that civil society remains central to sustaining reforms. “Civil society has an indispensable role in the reform process,” he said.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, addressing the forum, echoed the importance of civic engagement while acknowledging ongoing structural challenges. “It is difficult to overestimate the role of civil society in our reality,” he said, calling for more coordinated cooperation between institutions and the public.
He admitted that shortcomings persist, particularly in the justice sector, pointing to weak institutional trust and differing perceptions of fairness. Pashinyan argued that Armenia needs a new constitution that genuinely reflects the will of its citizens. “We must admit that we do not have such a Constitution… and when that source…has a rupture with the people, the operation of that mechanism can never be perceived… as justice,” he said.
He emphasized that cooperation with the EU and other international partners is essential to addressing these issues, while safeguarding national identity and sovereignty.
On Armenia’s long-term trajectory, Pashinyan said the country aims to meet “the best standards,” reaffirming continued engagement with the EU and a stronger role for civil society in shaping reforms.
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Armenpress: Armenia welcomes Israel-Lebanon ceasefire
The Armenian foreign ministry has welcomed the 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon achieved through U.S. President Donald Trump’s mediation.
“We welcome 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon, achieved through POTUS’s ‘s mediation efforts, as an important step towards de-escalation. We hope that this development will contribute to comprehensive & sustainable peace in the region with respect of territorial integrity of the parties,” the Armenian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on X.
For the past six weeks, Israel and Hezbollah – an Iran-backed armed group – have been fighting in southern Lebanon. Israel’s strikes in Lebanon, which it described as targeting Hezbollah, killed over 2,200 people.
The U.S. State Department said in a statement “Lebanon and Israel have reached an understanding in which both nations will work to create conditions conducive to lasting peace between the two countries, full recognition of each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and establishing genuine security along their shared border, while preserving Israel’s inherent right to self-defense.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that during the remaining period of the two-week ceasefire with the United States, Iran declares the Strait of Hormuz fully open to all commercial vessels, taking into account the ceasefire established in Lebanon.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated that the country’s authorities aim to strengthen the ceasefire regime with Israel and restore control over the entire territory of the country.
Published by Armenpress, original at
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NVIDIA’s Lebaredian says Armenia has strong potential in AI, urges seizing op
Rev Lebaredian, the vice president of Omniverse and simulation technology at NVIDIA, believes Armenia has strong potential to advance in the field of artificial intelligence.
Speaking to reporters in Yerevan, Lebaredian emphasized that, in essence, no one yet fully knows how to use artificial intelligence or how to keep pace with its development.
“Because it is new and evolving very quickly, the whole world has, in this sense, become much more equal. Every individual and every country is now, to some extent, unfamiliar with it. This creates an opportunity for everyone. Anyone in Armenia who wants to work in artificial intelligence and develop expertise in it has the same opportunity as those in the United States or anywhere else in the world. Only you can decide whether to do it or not,” Lebaredian said.
He stressed the importance of having the necessary infrastructure to ensure access to artificial intelligence, adding that Armenia has great potential to make progress in this field.
“And it depends on us whether we take advantage of this opportunity or not—whether we use it or waste it,” Lebaredian emphasized.
He said with regret that, due to historical circumstances, he did not have the opportunity to be born in his homeland, but came to Armenia as soon as it became possible.
“I consider this my country; I have even obtained citizenship here. I believe in Armenia, in its capabilities and its intellect. I believe that we are hardworking, that we care about people, and that we have strong values. I also believe that we can contribute to the development of the world. I think you are already seeing proof of that.
It is thanks to Armenians’ natural work ethic and curiosity that we are beginning to do new things. Now we are seeing a unification—we are bringing all these opportunities together, and when we have a strategy that everyone can participate in and move in the same direction, the results will multiply. In that case, we will move faster than everyone else,” he said.
Lebaredian agreed with the observation that artificial intelligence is not only about science and technology, but also about geopolitical power and new opportunities.
“Of course. If you look at the second industrial revolution, it began with a completely new technology—the ability to generate electricity. That was about 100 years ago. At first, only a few countries had it—England, that is, Great Britain—and then it began to spread. The United States also developed it, but it took a long time for it to spread to other countries. Those who had it earlier had an advantage. They were the ones who brought it to the rest of the world.
Armenia is now at the very beginning of this process. As I said, we will be among the top five countries in the world in terms of the number of GPUs—more than any major country in Europe. We have this advantage, and we can use it now to become important to the rest of the world,” Lebaredian explained.
According to him, from a geopolitical perspective, it is encouraging to see peace taking shape in the South Caucasus.
“Throughout Armenia’s history, its disadvantage has been that it is a small, landlocked country in a mountainous region, at the crossroads of great empires that have constantly disrupted it. That same disadvantage can become our advantage if we are smart and learn how to navigate this position.
Being at the crossroads of empires is an opportunity. We can be a link connecting empires. We can be a bridge for the world. We have always been a link between East and West. We are at the center of the Silk Road. We can exchange our capabilities for what we need from other countries. We can bring their energy into our country and export knowledge.
This makes us important not only for ourselves, but for others as well. Ultimately, this is a prerequisite for peace and prosperity. If you are not important to others, why would they come to help you? We must make ourselves important—and this is how we do it,” Lebaredian said.
In June 2025, it was announced that, through cooperation between the Government of Armenia, NVIDIA, Firebird, and Team Group, the most powerful supercomputing and data processing center in the region—powered by artificial intelligence solutions—would be built in Armenia. An initial investment of $500 million was announced for the first phase.
On February 10, 2026, Firebird and the U.S. government officially announced the launch of the project’s second phase, with total investments expected to reach around $4 billion. By the end of the year, 50,000 GPUs planned under the second phase are expected to be deployed.
Published by Armenpress, original at
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