Formally established on 21 April 2026, the mission will support Armenia’s capacity to address such hybrid challenges, including cyber threats, foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) and illicit financial flows. Specifically, the mission will provide strategic advice, technical expertise and institutional capacity building to various national institutions in Armenia to address such threats, and will support a horizontal, whole-of-government approach.

In addition, the mission will provide practical, operational advice and establish a dedicated project cell to implement targeted actions covered by its mandate, in close cooperation with international partners. EUPM Armenia is a non-executive mission and will have no role in the decision-making processes of the Armenian authorities.

“Last week, the EU unveiled a major economic and political support package for Armenia to help counter Russian pressure. Today, we deploy a new EU mission on the ground. EU experts will support the Armenian authorities deal with cyber threats and disinformation and countering illicit financial flows. The EU is the biggest champion of a resilient, independent Armenia and the right of the Armenian people to choose their own destiny. We’ll make sure Armenia does not face external coercion alone,” said Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

EUPM Armenia was established at the request of the Armenian government and is part of a broader and coherent EU approach, combining short and longer-term support to help strengthen Armenian national security. It reflects the EU’s firm commitment to support the country’s resilience and democratic institutions. By providing strategic advice, specialised expertise and capacity-building, the mission will help Armenia better prevent, detect and respond to hybrid threats, while fully respecting the country’s ownership and sovereignty.

The mission will have an initial mandate of two years and will primarily be composed of seconded experts from EU member states.

Cosmin George Dinescu was appointed Head of Mission on 11 June 2026. Previously, he served as the first head of the EU Partnership Mission in the Republic of Moldova.

She said the Mission aims to fight the hybrid threats the country is encountering.

The European Union Partnership Mission in Armenia (EUPM Armenia) is a civilian advisory mission, under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). The Mission was established on 21 April 2026.

EUPM Armenia has been established at the request of the Armenian government. The mission is part of a broader and coherent EU approach, combining short and longer-term support to help strengthen Armenian national security and resilience. 

The Mission is staffed primarily by experts seconded by EU Member States. They bring practical experience and specialised expertise from across Europe.

EUPM Armenia is a civilian advisory mission with no executive mandate. It has no role in the decision-making processes of the Armenian authorities.

Speaking to journalists after a Cabinet meeting on July 9, Pashinyan commented on remarks made a day earlier by Iran’s Ambassador to Armenia, Khalil Shogholami, who said Tehran had concerns regarding the project.

The Prime Minister stressed that the TRIPP initiative also serves the interests of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

“Through the implementation of the TRIPP project, we will open a railway connection from the Persian Gulf to the Black Sea, significantly expanding trade and economic opportunities between Armenia and Iran. It will also substantially increase the trade and economic opportunities of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The implementation of the TRIPP project sincerely and directly serves Iran’s interests,” Pashinyan said.

He added that Armenia is ready to hold open and transparent discussions with Iran on the matter.

“We are transparent and prepared to answer any questions. It is important to clearly define what the concerns are about. We are confident that all concerns can be addressed,” he noted.

According to Pashinyan, Armenia will continue working on the TRIPP project with all interested partners.

“We will continue working with Iran, Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Türkiye, the European Union, the Central Asian countries, and China, because this is a global project, and we want to begin its implementation as soon as possible. I hope the first work on the ground will start as early as this autumn,” he said.

Speaking at a press conference on July 8, Iran’s Ambassador to Armenia Khalil Shogholami said Iran’s concerns over a direct U.S. presence near its borders are legitimate and require a clear response. He added that the Armenian government has assured Tehran that implementation of the project would not create any threat or challenge to Iran stemming from a U.S. presence.

In his message, Pashinyan extended warm congratulations to President Milei and the people of Argentina.

“Armenia highly values the longstanding friendly relations established with Argentina, which are based on mutual respect and trust,” the prime minister said.

Pashinyan commended the continued development and expansion of bilateral cooperation, highlighting active collaboration and recent achievements in the economic, technological, educational, and cultural spheres.

He expressed confidence that, through joint efforts, Armenia and Argentina would continue to strengthen and deepen their cooperation for the benefit of the two nations.

According to the Investigative Committee, public criminal prosecution has been initiated against Manukyan within the framework of an ongoing criminal case. She is accused under Article 427, Part 1 of Armenia’s Criminal Code, which pertains to the disclosure of information containing state secrets.

Earlier in the day, Manukyan shared a video on Facebook showing law enforcement officers entering her home.

No further details have been officially disclosed at this stage regarding the circumstances of the alleged offense or the ongoing investigation.

In the English-language post, Pezeshkian wrote:

“Appreciation to the Prime Minister of Armenia, Mr. Nikol Pashinyan, for attending the farewell and State funeral [of] the martyred Supreme Leader.”

The post was accompanied by a statement in Armenian addressed to the Armenian public.

In the Armenian-language message, Pezeshkian thanked Prime Minister Pashinyan for personally participating in the funeral ceremonies despite what he described as “malicious propaganda” and attempts by “enemies of the Iranian and Armenian nations” to undermine the close relations between the two countries.

He said Pashinyan’s presence reflected the deep historical and neighborly ties between Iran and Armenia and demonstrated the Armenian government’s commitment to preserving and strengthening bilateral relations.

Pezeshkian also emphasized that those seeking to sow discord between the two neighboring countries would not succeed, adding that the friendship and cooperation between Iran and Armenia are “unshakable” and will continue to expand.

The Iranian president concluded by expressing confidence that the two countries would continue to deepen their cooperation based on mutual respect and good neighborliness, describing bilateral relations as “stronger than ever.”

President Khachaturyan congratulated the Armenian people on holding another nationwide democratic election, describing the 2026 parliamentary vote as an important milestone in the country’s political development.

He noted that the elections demonstrated the functioning of Armenia’s political and state institutions and thanked citizens for their active participation. Khachaturyan also congratulated Pashinyan and the ruling Civil Contract party on securing the confidence of voters and obtaining a parliamentary majority.

The president said the election reflected both an assessment of the government’s performance over the past five years and public expectations regarding the reforms and policies presented during the election campaign.

According to Khachaturyan, voters entrusted the new government with delivering a safer and more prosperous Armenia and implementing the promises made during the campaign.

He also stressed that the elections were held in a peaceful environment, saying Armenia had achieved peace and no longer had unresolved disputes with its neighbors that could lead to war. He expressed hope that the country would establish full diplomatic and good-neighborly relations with neighboring states.

Prime Minister Pashinyan thanked the president for his congratulations and said the Civil Contract party would form the next government after winning a parliamentary majority.

He described the election campaign as an important opportunity to engage directly with citizens and better understand public perceptions and concerns.

According to the prime minister, the election results showed that Armenians support the government’s peace agenda. He also cited investments in schools and kindergartens, capital infrastructure projects, and social reforms as factors that influenced voters’ decisions.

At the same time, Pashinyan acknowledged that the campaign exposed a number of public concerns, particularly regarding justice and the judicial system.

He said the elections had also revealed new challenges, including what he described as widespread vote-buying, which exposed vulnerabilities in the state system.

Pashinyan pledged to accelerate reforms, including anti-corruption efforts, institutional changes, and economic reforms, saying the government had received a sufficient mandate from citizens to continue that work.

“The elections clearly showed that democracy in the Republic of Armenia is irreversible,” he said, adding that while there had been attempts to undermine the people’s authority, those efforts had failed.

The prime minister also highlighted the need to further improve the electoral system and enhance transparency in the financing of political parties, media outlets, and organizations.

Looking ahead, Pashinyan reaffirmed the government’s economic objective of achieving average annual economic growth of 6 percent, saying he considered the target realistic given what he described as citizens’ willingness to work and improve their living standards.

He added that economic activity had already increased following the elections, interpreting it as a sign of renewed confidence. While acknowledging recent challenges in trade with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), Pashinyan said such difficulties could also create new opportunities, including through a more balanced economic policy alongside Armenia’s balanced foreign policy.

The prime minister thanked President Khachaturyan for his support of the government’s work and said discussions on the composition and program of the new cabinet would follow in the near future.

Speaking to reporters in Yerevan during the presentation of a modern demining machine donated by the EU to Armenia, EU Ambassador to Armenia Vassilis Maragos said the equipment would support both public safety and infrastructure development.

“Connectivity projects require clearing the areas through which they will pass,” Maragos said. “As you know, we have already committed to building three border crossing points and are now working on the details of that project. Demining will be the first essential step to allow these important construction works to move forward.”

The ambassador did not specify the locations where the border crossing points are planned.

Maragos stressed that the European Union continues to deepen cooperation with Armenia by investing in both security and infrastructure.

“We are working to strengthen relations between the EU and Armenia, and this is already bringing tangible benefits to the Armenian people,” he said. “The European Union has invested in the security of conflict-affected communities through various programs, as well as through the activities of the European Union Mission in Armenia (EUMA). Now we are also investing in saving lives by cooperating with the Armenian Humanitarian Demining and Expertise Center.”

According to Maragos, the demining machine donated to Armenia was manufactured in Croatia and represents a concrete expression of solidarity by European taxpayers with Armenia.

In a statement, Zonabend said the initiative is exclusively humanitarian in nature and is intended to facilitate a meeting with the Human Rights Commissioner of Azerbaijan, visit Armenian citizens detained in the country, and deliver letters, photographs and other permitted personal items from their families.

According to Zonabend, the initiative is being pursued through official and diplomatic channels to ensure transparency and the safety of all participants.

She stressed the importance of guaranteeing every stage of the potential visit, including entry into Azerbaijan, access to the detainees, and the safe return of the delegation.

“It is essential for the participants and their families to understand that this initiative is being prepared in an official framework and with the necessary guarantees, so that the visit does not pose a risk to anyone’s life or safety,” she said.

As part of the effort, Zonabend said she had sent open letters to several officials and institutions, including Azerbaijan’s Human Rights Commissioner Sabina Aliyeva, asking for support in organizing the visit under the auspices of her office and in creating the necessary conditions for it to take place.

She also appealed to the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, requesting that the organization consider ways to support, advise on, or participate in the visit within the scope of its humanitarian mandate.

In addition, Zonabend addressed Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, seeking coordination and practical support from the Armenian government, and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, requesting diplomatic attention and possible assistance from European institutions.

Zonabend said that for those held in prolonged detention, such an initiative carries profound humanitarian significance.

“Their condition, the conditions of their detention, and their connection to their families must not be left unaddressed or left to depend solely on closed and irregular mechanisms,” she said.

She added that the initiative is rooted in fundamental human right: enabling families to know what is happening to their loved ones, to send them messages of support, and to ensure they know they have not been forgotten.

Recalling the overnight U.S. strikes on Iranian facilities, the ambassador said Iran has legitimate concerns regarding a possible American presence near its borders.

“Iran’s very legitimate and logical concern regarding the presence of Americans near its borders must receive a clear response. The Government of the Republic of Armenia has assured us that the implementation of this program and project will not create any challenge or threat for Iran as a result of a U.S. presence,” he said.

According to the ambassador, it is necessary to establish a mechanism that would enable Armenia to fully realize the potential of regional unblocking initiatives while addressing the concerns of all parties involved.

Shirgolami also described relations between Armenia and Iran as enduring and exceptional.

The ambassador said the late Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ali Khamenei, had a special attitude toward Armenia, referring to it as an “honest neighbor.”

“He also showed particular respect for the Armenian community living in Iran and took every opportunity to visit Armenian families, especially those whose sons were killed during the Iran-Iraq war,” the ambassador noted.

Shirgolami expressed hope that the late leader’s ideas would continue to guide the development of Armenia-Iran relations and the implementation of major joint projects in the future.