Hidden benefits and geopolitics without a grand war of winners

At this point, the best expectation from the political world is that there is a possibility that the US and Iran will sign an agreement and not resume hostilities after the end of the ceasefire (April 22).


There are many uncertainties and contradictions in international information flows and it is difficult to say what concessions the parties have made or will make in order to reach a possible agreement. It is only obvious that the resumption of hostilities will be more destructive.


A war on which there are many “hand warmers”, depending on the results, those who plan their own hidden interests and expect a new regional situation, but the direct victims are few.


A war in which there were no winners as such and probably will not be.


Former RA Deputy Defense Minister Artak Zakaryan




Azerbaijan destroyed the Holy Mother of God Church in Stepanakert

Ahead of the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, we note that the Azerbaijani occupation administration in Stepanakert destroyed the Church of the Holy Mother of God. About this “Artsakh Tourism


“This is not just the demolition of the church. This is a continuation of the same policy that led to the Armenian Genocide a century ago. Today, it manifests itself in new ways, as a cultural genocide and a planned process of erasing the homeland, the goal of which is the final elimination of Armenian historical memory, culture and spiritual presence in Artsakh. Not only buildings are destroyed, but also the identity of the people, the past and the right to the future.


Under these conditions, the almost complete silence of the authorities of the Republic of Armenia is unacceptable. When our sanctuaries are destroyed, silence is no longer neutrality—it becomes acquiescence to the crime being committed.


Equally shameful and dangerous is the silence of the international community, as well as the international and specialized structures involved in the protection of cultural heritage. This silence not only does not stop the criminal, but also encourages new crimes, creating an atmosphere of impunity.


The authorities of the Republic of Armenia are obliged to give an immediate and clear political assessment of this barbarism, publicly condemn the policy of destruction of cultural heritage in Artsakh and take active diplomatic steps to raise this issue on international platforms.


At the same time, it should be clearly stated that the right of the Armenian population of Artsakh to return to their homeland is inalienable and cannot be questioned. The destruction of cultural heritage is also aimed at denying that right, disrupting the possibility of the return of the people through the elimination of memory.


The Church of St. Astvamor Hovanu, built in 2000-2019, was one of the most important spiritual centers of Stepanakert. It restored the centuries-old church presence in the area where the church, which had been operating since the end of the 19th century, was closed and transformed into a secular building during the Soviet years. The newly built temple became a living symbol of the revival of faith, preservation of memory and continuity of Armenian identity.


Today, its destruction is another episode of the same tragic chain, which began a century ago with the genocide and continues today in front of our eyes, directed not only against the stones, but also against the people’s memory, dignity and the right to live and return to their homeland,” the publication said.

It is planned to expand the social security of servicemen and their families

It is planned to expand and clarify the social guarantees of servicemen whose lives or health were harmed during the defense of the motherland, as well as the families of fallen (dead) servicemen. the efficiency of the compensation process will also improve. This is reported by the RA Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.

The draft was submitted for public discussion on the unified website for the publication of drafts of legal acts, e-draft.am.

Accordingly, it is proposed to amend the law “On compensation for damages caused to the life or health of servicemen during the defense of the Republic of Armenia” and provide compensation not only in 2017. after January 1, but also in 1998-2016. for the cases when the lives or health of servicemen were harmed during the combat duty or special task in the line of contact with the enemy, or as a result of the enemy’s pre-offensive action.

2008-2016 the beneficiaries of the cases have already been determined within the framework of decisions made by the Board of Trustees of the National Servicemen’s Insurance Fund; their money will be transferred by the fund.

1998-2007 beneficiaries will be determined based on the available documents. An inter-departmental commission will also be established, with the conclusion or court order, in the absence of documents, it will be certified that the serviceman’s life or health has been damaged as a result of combat operations.


1998-2016 lump sums will not be paid for compensation cases, and monthly amounts will be paid for 20 years, in the amount of cases that occurred after 2017.

You can submit opinions and suggestions about the project on the e-draft.am platform using the following link.

The privatization of the Baghramyan Avenue plot was recognized as illegal

The Administrative Court satisfied the request of the Prosecutor’s Office of Yerevan City for the protection of state interests and recognized as illegal the state registration of the property rights made in 2013 for the plot of land with an area of ​​0.01884 ha located at 21/6 Baghramyan Avenue.


The prosecutor’s office claimed that the administrative act on the plot of land is subject to recognition as illegal.


“On October 6, 2023, the Prosecutor’s Office of the city of Yerevan submitted a claim to the Administrative Court against the Cadastre Committee with the request to declare invalid the state registration of the right made on June 27, 2013 in the name of a natural person regarding a plot of land with an area of ​​0.01884 ha located at 21/6 Baghramyan Avenue, Yerevan.


Taking into account the Court’s proposal on changing the type of claim, the Prosecutor’s Office filed a recognition claim on February 20, 2025, asking to recognize the intervening administrative act, which no longer has legal force, as invalid.


The Administrative Court, in its judgment of March 23, 2026, satisfied the claim of the Prosecutor’s Office of the city of Yerevan. it is illegal to recognize the state registration of the ownership rights of an individual over the plot of land,” said the message.

Coins worth 500 drams continue to be issued

Considering the many questions in 2026 Regarding a number of 2nd generation banknotes that have gone out of circulation as a result of normal wear and tear since April 15, the Central Bank informs that this decision applies only to the mentioned banknotes and does not apply to the 500 AMD coin.

“All RA coins, including the 500 dram coin, continue to remain in circulation and maintain their legal tender status. Citizens can freely use them for everyday payments without any restrictions.

Get acquainted with the information about banknotes that are going out of circulation here,” the message reads.

Tatoyan called on the European Union to counter Armenia’s real threats

The European Union, which has announced its readiness to counter Russian influence in the RA elections, should respond in the same way to the threats coming from Azerbaijan. Prime Minister Arman Tatoyan wrote about this in a letter addressed to Ambassador Vasilis Maragos, head of the European Union delegation in Armenia.


The latter presented facts, which, according to him, testify to the direct and veiled threats from Azerbaijan, related to the possible change of power in Armenia.


“Among the documented cases are the following: A deputy of the ruling party of Azerbaijan made a public statement, warning that the victory of the opposition in Armenia may prompt Azerbaijan to make official territorial claims against Armenia. The newspaper under the control of the Azerbaijani presidential administration stated that the “revanchist” government in Armenia “will have nothing to govern”, and the media under the control of the Ministry of Defense stated that it is “especially important” that power in Armenia remains in the hands of forces that are in line with Azerbaijan’s strategic goals. Taken together, these statements represent a systematic attempt by actors representing the state power in Baku to influence the results of the Armenian elections through intimidation,” the letter states.


Arman Tatoyan called on the EU mission in Armenia to:


publicly condemn the mentioned statements and record the existence of this intervention as illegal and unacceptable attempts to influence the electoral process of Armenia from outside.


to expand the mechanisms they use, as the EU stated, “to counter Russian disinformation.” Also include the disclosure, publication and countermeasures of Azerbaijani interference attempts in a transparent and consistent manner.


He also emphasized that the fight against foreign interference cannot be selective and must be carried out regardless of its source.

60% of respondents in Armenia consider the prosecutor’s office corrupt

60 percent of respondents consider the Prosecutor’s Office of Armenia to be completely or partially corrupt. This was stated by Anush Hakobyan, a legal expert of the “Transparency International” anti-corruption center, during the presentation of the report on the activities of the RA Prosecutor’s Office.


According to the authors of the report, the respondents rated the independence of the prosecutor’s office 77.7 percent, giving 14 out of 17 points. At the same time, significant problems were noted, including the high threshold for the selection of the Prosecutor General, the lack of competitiveness, open competition and the involvement of experts. Thus, the acting General Prosecutor in 2022 elected only by representatives of the ruling party. the process was not open enough and was under political influence. Along with that, the grounds for early termination of the powers of the Prosecutor General and his deputies are unclear. Although the law prohibits the use of powers for political purposes, control mechanisms are lacking, and the risks of the perception of interdependence between the prosecutor’s office and the authorities remain. From the point of view of the independence of the prosecution, the provision according to which the government can change the funding without an inquiry is also controversial.


The authors of the report also documented the problems of accountability of the data on confiscation of property, which do not provide insight into the entire chain of cases. There are no independent supervisory commissions, and the existing mechanisms are formal in nature. The quality of internal audit is limited.


Only 4.7 percent of the respondents know about the anti-corruption activities of the prosecutor’s office. 60 percent believe that the prosecutor’s office is completely or partially corrupt. In general, access to the prosecutor’s office is low for citizens. There is no hotline, no anonymous reports and feedback. Statistics show that only a quarter of applicants are ready to sign the message, which also indicates a lack of confidence.


Another problematic area is the low rate of convictions in cases against high-ranking officials, against the background of the overall high rate of convictions. There are no statistics and available information about this at all, all data is extracted from other sources.


As for confiscation of property, in 2024 the amount was about 556 billion drams. However, this is only a quarter of the total figure. Corruption cases in 2024 the indicator was about 13 percent, which in 2021 (9 percent) has increased, but still remains low.

ANCA-WR Welcomes Calif. Lawmakers’ Demand to Trump to Free Armenian Hostages,

Bipartisan CA Armenian Legislative Caucus letter demands White House action on Armenian hostages, Artsakh right of return, Genocide recognition

SACRAMENTO– The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region on Tuesday welcomed a bipartisan letter, signed by more than 25 California state legislators, delivered by the California Armenian Legislative Caucus Foundation to President Donald J. Trump — demanding the release of Armenian hostages illegally held by Azerbaijan, the right of return for Artsakh refugees, an end to Azerbaijani occupation of sovereign Armenian territory, and the Trump Administration’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

“California’s legislators have sent President Trump an unambiguous message: Armenian hostages must be freed, Azerbaijan’s occupation must end, and Armenia’s sovereignty must be secured,” stated Oshin Harootoonian, Chairman of the ANCA-WR Board of Directors. “This bipartisan letter reflects the moral resolve of California’s more than one million Armenian Americans — the largest Armenian-American community in the nation. President Trump must act.”

This letter was led by California State Armenian Caucus Chairman Assemblymember John Harabedian, and joined by State Senators Bob Archuleta, Megan Dahle, Maria Elena Durazo, Sasha Renee Perez, and Suzette Matinez Valladares, as well as Assemblymembers Patrick Ahrens, Juan Alanis, Marc Berman, Lisa Calderon, Jessica Caloza, Damon Connolly, Robert Garcia, Jeff Gonzalez, Heather Hadwick, Maggy Krell, Diane Papan, Celeste Rodriguez, Michelle Rodriguez, Chris Rogers, Pilar Schiavo, Nick Schultz, Jose Luis Solache Jr., Catherine Stefani, David Tangipa, and Rick Chavez Zbur.

“California has the largest Armenian community in the United States and one of the largest in the world, and we stand united in our call for justice, accountability, and lasting peace for the Armenian people. This letter reflects our continued fight to make sure that the voices of Armenian Americans are heard at the highest levels of government. We urge decisive federal action to uphold human rights and promote stability in the region,” said Assemblymember John Harabedian

Timed to coincide with California’s legislative floor sessions marking the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the letter arrives just days before April 24th — the international day of Armenian Genocide commemoration — amplifying the community’s demand that President Trump properly acknowledge this crime.

Release of Armenian POWs, Political Prisoners, and Hostages
The letter calls for the full and unconditional release of all Armenian hostages illegally held by Azerbaijan, documenting that “Azerbaijan continues to hold Armenian civilians, soldiers, and former leaders of Artsakh captive… detainees include prisoners of war, civilians, former Nagorno-Karabakh officials such as Presidents, State Ministers, and the Speaker of the Assembly who have been held under fabricated charges and subjected to unfair mock trials and inhumane treatment in direct violation of international human rights laws.”

Withdrawal of Azerbaijani Forces from Sovereign Armenian Territory
The letter further addresses Azerbaijan’s continued military presence on sovereign Armenian lands, citing “a broader pattern of aggression perpetuated after the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War” during which “Azerbaijan perpetrated egregious war crimes including execution of civilians, destruction of schools, homes and hospitals, deliberate targeting of churches and other Armenian Christian heritage sites, and the arbitrary detention and mistreatment of dozens of Armenian prisoners of war.”

Right of Return for Artsakh Armenians
The letter also addresses the dire circumstances of more than 100,000 Indigenous Armenians of Artsakh forcibly displaced by Azerbaijan’s genocidal ethnic cleansing, affirming that under international human rights law, refugees from Artsakh must be able to “return to their homes safely and rebuild their lives in peace.”

Preservation of Armenian Cultural and Religious Sites
The letter confronts the deliberate destruction of Armenian Christian heritage in Artsakh, documenting that Azerbaijan’s war crimes included “deliberate targeting of churches and other Armenian Christian heritage sites” — part of a systematic campaign to erase every trace of Armenian civilization from the region.

Sovereignty and Security of Armenia
The letter affirms that Azerbaijan’s aggression against Armenia represents a direct challenge to the international rules-based order, documenting that “the protection of human rights and the dignity of all people are fundamental to American values and foundational to the international rules-based order” — and calls on President Trump to ensure the sovereignty and security of Armenia, the world’s first Christian nation and a key ally in the region.

The letter also calls on President Trump to reaffirm the Armenian Genocide, noting that “genocide” is the valid definition of the mass killings and deportations of Armenians, and urging him to join Congress in using the term to advance historical justice.

Furthermore, the ANCA-WR formally calls upon the United States Government to use its full diplomatic leverage to press Turkey toward reparative justice for the Armenian Genocide. One hundred and eleven years after the systematic extermination of 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman Turkish Government, Turkey’s obligation as successor state to the former, remains undeniable yet unmet. That obligation includes the restitution of confiscated lands, properties, and assets; financial reparations for survivors’ descendants; and accountability through international legal mechanisms. The United States – which has recognized the Armenian Genocide – must translate that recognition into action, making clear to Ankara that normalization of relations and continued partnership carry with them an expectation of historical accountability. The ANCA-WR will continue to press this demand at every level of government until justice for 1915 is no longer deferred.

Armenia’s government says draft constitution not ready to be published

April 20 2026
By Gayane Saribekian
Armenia’s government appears to be reluctant to publicize before the June 7 parliamentary elections its draft of a new Armenian constitution demanded by Azerbaijan. [ . . . ] Justice Minister Srbuhi Galian said earlier this year that the new constitution drafted by her ministry will be made public in March. That has still not happened. Galian told reporters on Friday that the draft is “not yet ready publication.” She gave no clear reason for the delay or set any dates for the document’s disclosure. Galian also declined to say whether the 1990 declaration is referenced in the draft. Pashinian again spoke out against such reference last month. He continued to deny bowing to yet another Azerbaijani demand. Some observers say he is reluctant to publish the draft now in order not to give the Armenian opposition more ammunition in the run-up to the showdown elections.
Read the full article here: Azatutyun

Armenia: Pashinyan Says People Will Decide On EU Or EAEU Path

Eurasia Review
April 21 2026

By PanARMENIAN

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said the final decision on Armenia’s potential membership in the European Union or the Eurasian Economic Union will be made by the people.

Speaking in a Facebook livestream, he noted that legally it is not possible to be a member of both unions simultaneously, adding that Armenia is not rushing to make a choice.

“We know that the EAEU and the European Union are incompatible, but as long as our agendas are compatible, we will not make a choice.

As long as reforms aimed at rapprochement with the EU and aligning with its membership criteria remain compatible, Armenia will continue to be a member of the EAEU and develop trade and economic relations with its member states,” Pashinyan said.

According to him, there is still a certain “zone of compatibility.”

“When the moment comes that there is no longer such compatibility, the Republic of Armenia — its people — will naturally make the decision through a referendum,” he added.

Earlier, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk had stated that Armenian citizens should take into account the possible consequences of Yerevan’s policy of closer ties with the European Union. According to him, Moscow sees clear signs that Armenia is being prepared for EU accession, which Russia considers a hostile bloc.