Armenia’s Ministry of Finance has published information on the execution of the country’s state budget for January–September 2026.

According to the report, state budget revenues totaled AMD 2,431 billion in January–September 2026, representing 104.3% of the target set in the revised plan for the nine-month period. Compared with the same period last year, state budget revenues increased by 14.4%, or AMD 305.7 billion.

State budget expenditures totaled AMD 2,403 billion in January–September 2026, representing 85.6% of the revised plan for the nine-month period. Compared with the same period last year, state budget expenditures increased by 9%, or AMD 197.9 billion.

During January–September 2026, Armenia’s state budget recorded a surplus of AMD 27.8 billion, compared with a planned deficit of AMD 474.4 billion for the nine-month period and a deficit of AMD 79.9 billion during the same period last year.

Armenia’s Minister of Internal Affairs Arpine Sargsyan has participated in the High-Level International Meeting of the European Coalition Against Drugs (ECAD) on Addiction Prevention and Recovery, held on October 23 at the San Patrignano Community in Coriano, Rimini, Italy.

The minister delivered a speech outlining Armenia’s commitment to combating drugs and emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in this area.

Speeches were also delivered by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset, European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner, and other senior officials.

Sargsyan thanked the governments of Italy and France for organizing the summit and bringing together representatives of different countries around a common goal.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Sargsyan emphasized in her speech that drug trafficking has long become a cross-border challenge, affecting public health, communities and people’s lives.

She said that an effective response requires a comprehensive, balanced and people-centered approach involving not only reducing the availability of drugs, but also reducing vulnerabilities, strengthening resilience and providing the necessary support.

Sargsyan emphasized that addressing the drug problem was also identified as a priority in the joint declaration adopted by leaders in Yerevan on May 4, 2026.

Addressing the main challenges in this area, the minister highlighted the growing availability of synthetic drugs, the emergence of new psychoactive substances and the increasing role of digital platforms in their distribution.

In this context, she stressed the importance of strengthening international cooperation, highlighting Armenia’s accession in 2023 to the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats.

Sargsyan also outlined the steps Armenia has taken to combat drugs, emphasizing that, as part of the commitment undertaken at the 67th session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, the Armenian government approved in June 2025 the Strategy for Combating the Non-Medical Use and Illicit Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, along with the resulting 2025–2027 action plan.

The minister explained that the strategy covers three interconnected areas: prevention; combating drug trafficking; and the treatment, rehabilitation and social reintegration of people with substance dependence.

“This is not just another policy document for us. It reflects a fundamental change in our approach to the problem. For Armenia, this strategy is an important step toward developing a more comprehensive and balanced national response,” Sargsyan said.

The minister stressed that effective drug policy cannot be limited to law enforcement measures alone. In this context, she highlighted the importance of the healthcare component, particularly the provision of free methadone treatment and the introduction of guidelines.

According to Sargsyan, Armenia is consistently strengthening its capacity to combat drug trafficking and organized criminal groups as a key prerequisite for protecting public health and security.

The minister also addressed the importance of integrated border management.

“As Armenia’s chief negotiator in the EU visa liberalization process, I would like to emphasize that integrated border management is a key priority and will contribute to our efforts to combat cross-border crime, including drug trafficking,” she said.

Addressing international cooperation, Sargsyan said that work on a working arrangement with the European Union Drugs Agency was in its final stages. Cooperation with partners through INTERPOL and Europol is also continuing.

At the conclusion of her speech, Sargsyan expressed confidence that the commitments undertaken during the summit would translate into significant and tangible progress toward overcoming shared challenges.

She also expressed hope that international cooperation would continue to develop on the basis of shared responsibility for protecting public safety and health, supporting people affected by addiction, and building healthier and more resilient societies.

Armenia’s delegation to the meeting also included Deputy Minister of Health Lena Nanushyan, Head of the Yerevan City Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Criminal Police Hayk Harutyunyan, and other representatives.

The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 26 October, USD exchange rate down by 0.26 drams to 360.88 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 0.22 drams to 404.11 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.0106 drams to 4.4762 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 1.22 drams to 481.77 drams.

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

Gold price down by 439 drams to 46565 drams. 

Armenia’s first president, Levon Ter-Petrosyan, has visited the Best Life Medical Centre for a routine examination.

His spokesperson, Arman Musinyan, announced this in a Facebook post.

As part of celebrations marking the 35th anniversary of Armenia’s independence, UNESCO headquarters in Paris will host anniversary events on 28–29 October dedicated to the 150th anniversary of Hrachya Acharian’s birth and the centenary of Republic Square’s founding.

Armenia’s Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport announced this in a statement.

The programme will begin on 28 October with a conference entitled “A Life in Science: Hrachya Acharian”, dedicated to the renowned Armenian studies scholar, linguist and academician, and the opening of an exhibition entitled “The Square and Time: From Past to Future”, marking Republic Square’s centenary.

The anniversary events are organised by the ministry and UNESCO. Deputy Minister Tigran Virabyan will attend the opening.

The exhibition “The Square and Time: From Past to Future” will run from 28 October to 2 November. Around 40 photographs tracing Republic Square’s history have been selected from the archival collections of the National Archives of Armenia, the History Museum of Armenia, the Chamber of Architects of Armenia, Armenpress news agency and individual photographers. A display of traditional costumes from the Teryan Cultural Centre will complement the presentation of the square’s history.

The programme will conclude on 29 October with a joint concert by the Hover State Chamber Choir and the Vahagn Hayrapetyan Trio, featuring jazz arrangements of Armenian folk songs.

At the 43rd session of UNESCO’s General Conference last year, it was decided to include the 150th anniversary of the birth of the eminent Armenian linguist and academician Hrachya Acharian (1876–1953), as well as the centenary of the start of construction of Yerevan’s Republic Square in 1927, in UNESCO’s calendar of anniversaries of eminent personalities and important events for 2026–2027.

The anniversary events are being held in cooperation with Armenia’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO.

Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ararat Mirzoyan met Gert Jan Koopman, the European Commission’s Director-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood, on 26 October.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade announced this in a statement.

They discussed efforts to implement the Strategic Agenda for the Armenia–EU Partnership, as well as prospects for further deepening cooperation.

The discussion also covered efforts to strengthen Armenia’s energy and economic resilience, including through trade diversification. Minister Mirzoyan stressed the importance of fully realising the opportunities provided by the adoption of the EU regulation on autonomous trade measures for Armenian goods.

The two sides exchanged views on possible steps to consolidate peace and steadily institutionalise it, as well as projects to expand the transport infrastructure network with Armenia’s involvement and in line with the Crossroads of Peace initiative.

They also discussed upcoming high-level engagements.