Breaking
Armenia Hosts Nearly 50 World Leaders at EU Political Summit
European Council President António Costa opened the first-ever Armenia–EU summit in Yerevan, describing the meeting as a “historic moment” that signals a deepening partnership between Armenia and the European Union.
In his remarks, Costa highlighted Armenia’s ongoing democratic development and the current “momentum of peace” as a foundation for expanding bilateral cooperation. He reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting Armenia’s sovereignty, resilience, and long-term stability.
“It’s very important to protect the freedom of the Armenian people to choose their own destiny,” Costa stated.
He also emphasized Armenia’s growing strategic importance, calling it “a key pillar” in the EU’s engagement in the South Caucasus. The EU leader pointed to strengthened cooperation in security and defense, including the European Union Mission in Armenia, and underlined the importance of delivering concrete outcomes from the summit to advance peace and prosperity for both Armenia and Europe.
Armenia elevated its international partnerships by signing key agreements with the European Union, accompanied by concrete economic deals, including infrastructure development projects and an Airbus aircraft purchase, reinforcing Armenia’s push toward diversification, resilience, and closer alignment with Western partners.
EU-Armenia Summit Marks “New Level” of Partnership as Leaders Emphasize Peace, Security, and Sovereignty
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the summit as a turning point, stating: “This first EU-Armenia Summit elevates our partnership to a new level and sets a clear direction and agenda for the coming years.”
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan framed the moment as both historic and strategic, noting that Armenia and Azerbaijan have entered an “unprecedented period of peace,” supported by ongoing efforts to institutionalize cooperation and advance regional initiatives such as the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP).
The summit coincided with a landmark visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the first by a Ukrainian leader to Armenia in 24 years.
Armenia and Turkey Agree to Joint Restoration of Historic Ani Bridge at EPC Summit
LIVE: Leaders Address Media at European Political Community Summit
EU Leaders Witness Spectacular Performances at Yerevan EPC Summit
President Macron’s Historic State Visit Highlights Armenia’s European Turn
French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Armenia underscored a clear geopolitical shift, as he declared the vision of “a Europe which goes from Iceland to the Caucasus,” firmly placing Armenia within Europe’s strategic horizon.
- Macron was warmly received by the public, walking through central Yerevan with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan as crowds sang La Marseillaise, a reflection of France’s role as one of Armenia’s strongest European partners.
- Macron went for a morning jog through the city and later joined an impromptu musical moment, singing Charles Aznavour’s La Bohème alongside a piano, with Pashinyan accompanying him on drums.
- He also paid tribute at the Armenian Genocide Memorial, reaffirming France’s commitment to historical justice.
- Beyond optics, Armenia and France signed a Declaration on Strategic Partnership, committing to deepen cooperation, particularly in security and defense.
Azerbaijan’s Ethnic Cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh and Genocidal Policy
Roberta Metsola Clashes with Azerbaijan’s Aliyev at European Summit in Armenia
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola strongly rebuked criticism from Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, after Aliyev accused the European Parliament of being “obsessed” with Azerbaijan and announced the suspension of cooperation.
Metsola rejected the accusations, stating that political pressure would not alter the Parliament’s work, reaffirming the EU institution’s commitment to scrutiny, accountability, and its values during the summit held in Armenia.
European Parliament Backs Armenia’s Democratic Path, EU Integration, Condemns Azerbaijan’s Actions
• Supports the holding of free, fair, and peaceful parliamentary elections in Armenia in June 2026.
• Reiterates its support for the rights of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians.
• Condemns Azerbaijan’s unjust detention of Armenian prisoners of war, detainees and hostages, demands their immediate and unconditional release; notes the steps taken so far and calls for further confidence-building measures, and calls for full respect for international humanitarian and human rights law.
• Calls for increased EU financial and technical assistance to Armenia, particularly in the areas of energy, digital development, and economic resilience.
• Welcomes continued efforts towards the normalisation of relations between Armenia and Turkey.
Baku Slams European Parliament Resolution; Summons EU Ambassador
Seven Armenian Hostages Appeal to UN Over Arbitrary Detention in Azerbaijan
International lawyers have filed a petition to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention seeking the immediate release of seven Armenian detainees held in Azerbaijan, arguing their imprisonment violates international law.
Baroness Cox Urges Action on Armenian Detainees and Cultural Heritage Ahead of Armenia-EU Summit
I welcome the fact that relations between Armenia and the European Union have progressed to the stage which allows the first Armenia-European Union summit to take place in Yerevan on 4th and 5th May 2026.
My first concern is that of the hostage prisoners and Prisoners of War from Armenia and Artsakh who, to this day, remain in captivity in Azerbaijan.
My second concern relates to the ongoing tensions in Church/State relations in Armenia.
Equal attention must be given to the protection of religious sites and antiquities currently suffering destruction in Artsakh/Nagorno Karabakh.
European Court Orders Azerbaijan to Disclose Verdicts on Armenian Prisoners
The European Court of Human Rights has ordered Azerbaijan to submit copies or summaries of court verdicts involving Armenian detainees held in Azerbaijan by August 31.
On April 9, the Court rejected Azerbaijan’s repeated efforts to lift interim measures, reinforcing concerns over detainees’ health, detention conditions, and the lack of transparency surrounding closed trials without independent observers or adequate legal defense.
Yerevan Says Release of Armenian Prisoners Key to ‘Genuine Reconciliation’ with Baku
Safeguarding Artsakh’s Cultural Heritage: A Call for Global Awareness and Accountability
Hovik Avanesov, the Ombudsman for the Cultural Heritage of Artsakh, has eloquently articulated a poignant message on the occasion of the International Day for Monuments and Sites.
Since 1918, a systematic and deliberate campaign has been waged against these treasures, resulting in the tragic and large-scale destruction of Armenian cultural heritage in both Artsakh and Nakhichevan known as ‘the worst cultural genocide of the 21st century.’
Satellite Evidence Confirms Destruction of Stepanakert’s Mother Cathedral
Prisoners of War and Peace: The Fight for Freedom From Baku
By Gibran Caroline Boyce
A video circulating on Telegram shows Armenian soldiers blindfolded, beaten and screaming in pain as Azerbaijani fighters kick them and pierce their skin with what appears to be a metal skewer. For Hranush Mkrtchyan, it’s how she learns her husband, Lyudvig, previously declared dead in combat, is still alive.
For the remaining 19 prisoners of war and their families, peace has yet to arrive. The wait, Hranush describes, is unbearable.
Driven by Fear from Nagorno-Karabakh
EU Allocates Over €78 Million to Support Refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh
Artsakh Delegation Raises Humanitarian and Political Concerns in Brussels
A delegation led by Ashot Danielyan, Speaker of the National Assembly of Artsakh, met in Brussels with Loukas Fourlas, Head of the Armenia–EU Friendship Group, and Yannis Maniatis, Vice Chair of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats.
Ruben Vardanyan Urges Armenia to Arrange Family Visits for Baku Captives
By Alexander Pracht
From a prison cell in Baku, Ruben Vardanyan has called on Armenian authorities to help secure family visits for Armenian detainees held in Azerbaijan, according to a statement relayed during a phone call with his relatives.
Photo of the Week
On April 23, thousands gathered in Yerevan for the annual torchlight procession to the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex, marking the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
Photo Courtesy of Photolure.
Security
Rep. Frank Pallone Welcomes Increased U.S. Security Support for Armenia, Urges Stronger Humanitarian Action
Armenia at a Turning Point: Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan on Peace and Strategic Repositioning
In an interview with FRANCE 24, journalist François Picard speaks with Ararat Mirzoyan at Armenia’s newly opened embassy in Paris, highlighting Armenia’s diplomatic priorities ahead of the first-ever EU-Armenia summit.
Armenia Opens New Embassy Building in Paris, Marking a New Milestone in Strategic Partnership with France
‘They are Stealing the Election’: How Armenia Became the Next Russia-EU Battlefield
By Kal Berjikian
Armenians are set to head to the polls in June for their parliamentary elections, which the EU and Russia are closely watching. With support for joining the bloc at an all-time high, this could be a sign that the former Soviet country is moving away from Moscow, one of its closest allies.
Armenia and Azerbaijan Rank Among World’s Top Military Spenders
Ambassador Narek Mkrtchyan on TRIPP, Armenia–U.S. Partnership, and Faith as a Pillar of Peace
At the studio of EWTN, a global Catholic television, radio, and news network reaching an audience of over 400 million, Ambassador Narek Mkrtchyan presented the TRIPP initiative and outlined the evolving Armenia–U.S. agenda. During the broadcast, he emphasized the critical roles of diplomacy and cooperation in establishing lasting peace and normalized relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
U.S. Senators Appeal to Meta, Google to ‘Counter Russian Disinformation’ in Armenian Election
Senators Tom Tillis (R-NC) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) wrote letters to Meta and Alphabet, Google’s parent company, asking the tech giants to work to ‘counter Russian disinformation’ in the runup to Armenia’s parliamentary elections. The letters thanked the companies for their actions to combat similar Russian-backed moves in Moldova’s 2025 election.
“These elections are pivotal for determining Armenia’s future, as they are likely to determine the outcome of regional peace initiatives and connectivity projects, including the flagship TRIPP…No foreign power should be permitted to influence the results of Armenia’s sovereign decisions.”
Armenia and NATO Discuss Cooperation and Regional Security in Yerevan
Armenian Minister of Defense Suren Papikyan met with Kevin Hamilton, the Special Representative of NATO for the Caucasus and Central Asia, during his visit to Yerevan.
Armenia Further Distances Itself from Russia, Rules Out Active CSTO Role
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan confirmed that Armenia will not return to active participation in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), citing the bloc’s failure to meet its obligations.
Armenia-U.S. Dialogue Advances Innovation, Cybersecurity, and Strategic Cooperation
Ambassador Narek Mkrtchyan met with Yosry Barsoum, Vice President and Director at the Center for Securing Homeland of MITRE, to discuss key aspects of the Armenia–U.S. agenda, alongside a MoU aimed at fostering innovative cooperation in artificial intelligence and semiconductor technologies.
Economy
Why Smaller Players Can Be Mighty In The AI Era
By Mkhitar Hayrapetyan
Minister of High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia
Through my work in the government of Armenia, I’ve seen how technology investments can directly impact innovation. AI is infrastructure-intensive, requiring vast amounts of electricity, advanced computing systems and highly skilled engineers. These three forces don’t operate in isolation, and AI is compressing the timeline of disruptive innovation.
Armenia-Utah Relations: Strengthening Economic and Intergovernmental Cooperation
Rev Lebaredian: Armenia Has a Historic Opportunity to Lead in Artificial Intelligence
Rev Lebaredian, Vice President of Omniverse and Simulation Technology at NVIDIA, emphasized that artificial intelligence is so new and fast-developing that all countries now start from a relatively equal position, giving Armenia the same chances as global leaders to build expertise and innovation.
Education
Armenia Showcases Culture, Creativity, and Unity at the 8th European Political Community Summit
The opening ceremony featured a rich cultural program that presented Armenia’s historical heritage alongside contemporary art, creative thinking, and innovative technologies. Through its visual and artistic narrative, Armenia reaffirmed its long-standing role as a cultural crossroads, fostering dialogue and mutual enrichment among different peoples and cultures.
The performance was centered on the symbol of water, representing life, memory, peace, purification, and unity.
Armenia and EU Report Significant Progress in General Education Reforms
European Commission disbursed €8.55 million in education support, while the Armenian ministry reaffirmed its commitment to continuing education reforms in close cooperation with the European Union.
Ambassador Narek Mkrtchyan Highlights Armenia-U.S. Cooperation at RAND Roundtable
At the Washington office of the RAND Corporation, Ambassador Narek Mkrtchyan took part in a roundtable discussion with RAND researchers and students from the RAND School of Public Policy, fostering an exchange of views on bilateral cooperation.
Armenia-U.S. Consultations Focus on Democracy, Security, and TRIPP Cooperation
Armenian Ambassador to the U.S. Narek Mkrtchyan hosted Riley Barnes, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, for discussions on bilateral cooperation.
Opinion
Trump Must Call the Armenian Genocide by Its Name
By Stephan Pechdimaldji
It’s a credibility test amid the Iran conflict
For decades, the Armenian American community has sought a simple action from the White House: Officially recognize the 1915 systematic annihilation of 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman Empire as a genocide.
Although Congress moved to recognize the genocide in 2019 and a formal presidential acknowledgment was made in 2021, the current administration has spent the past year retreating into the linguistic fogginess of “great calamity” and “historical tragedy” to describe this dark chapter in world history.
The South Caucasus Transforms: From Conflict Zones to Corridors of Connectivity
The South Caucasus is moving away from a conflict-driven model toward a system where control over transport and energy routes matters more than control over territory.
Armenia’s Post-Karabakh Security Shift: From CSTO Disillusionment to Pragmatic NATO Engagement
Armenia’s reliance on Russia and the CSTO failed to deliver effective security guarantees during critical moments, prompting Yerevan to seek diversified partnerships and move away from Soviet-era doctrines toward Western standards and institutional reform.
Turkey-Armenia Border Reopening: A Turning Point For The South Caucasus
By Alpaslan Özerdem, Olesya Vartanyan
The land border between Turkey and Armenia has been closed since 1993. Ankara shut the crossing in solidarity with Azerbaijan during the first war over Nagorno-Karabakh. Since then, the border has symbolized one of the most enduring geopolitical divides in the region.
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