Armenian Elections & Trade Policy: Armenians voted in a high-stakes parliamentary election as Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan seeks to keep steering the country toward EU integration while easing ties with Russia; he also said an EU accession referendum would happen only once concrete details emerge, and he reiterated plans to open the border with Turkey and institutionalize peace with Azerbaijan. Pre-Election Crackdown: Investigators detained six Strong Armenia candidates on allegations tied to vote-buying and money laundering, while the Central Election Commission allowed the bloc to run. EU Market Access for Industry: Pashinyan said the EU will grant tariff-free access for Armenian agricultural exports under a free customs regime, alongside an emergency €50m support package to offset export disruptions, including for flowers. Agri-Food Production Update: Armenia’s wine and cognac output rose in early 2026, with wine up 20.6% and cognac up 5.8% year-on-year (Jan–Apr). SME & Green Finance: Ameriabank and FMO signed a EUR 120m loan to expand MSME lending in Armenia, with at least 25% earmarked for green projects. Regional Connectivity: Pashinyan expressed optimism about normalizing relations with Türkiye and reopening transport links, highlighting the “Crossroads of Peace” initiative.