Day: July 15, 2026
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Armenia moved a step closer to securing autonomous trade measures from the European Union after the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade (INTA) agreed to consider the proposal under a simplified procedure.
On July 14, Armenia’s Ambassador to the EU, Tigran Balayan, met with Member of the European Parliament Bogdan Andrzej Zdrojewski, the European Parliament’s rapporteur on Armenia in the Committee on International Trade.
The discussions focused on the autonomous trade measures to be granted to Armenia in support of the country’s economy and on prospects for further deepening Armenia-EU partnership.
Ambassador Balayan thanked the European Union, and particularly the European Parliament, for its continued support for Armenia and for what he described as an exceptional decision. He also outlined the Armenian government’s initiatives and ongoing efforts aimed at strengthening economic cooperation with the EU.
According to the ambassador, the planned trade measures will help diversify Armenia’s export markets by creating additional opportunities for Armenian products to access the European market.
Following the meeting, Ambassador Balayan participated in the INTA Committee session, where members agreed, on the proposal of rapporteur Bogdan Andrzej Zdrojewski, to examine the issue of granting autonomous trade measures to Armenia under the simplified procedure.
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Von der Leyen arrives in Kyiv
Summary
Recent developments highlight intensifying global conflicts, particularly in Ukraine and the Middle East, alongside domestic accountability crises in the U.S. Russia’s military losses in Ukraine continue to mount, with Ukraine striking deep into Russian-held territory, including near Putin’s residence. Meanwhile, Iran’s aggression toward Jordan and U.S. naval blockades signal rising tensions in the Middle East. Domestically, high-profile misconduct cases and political pressure on law enforcement policies underscore shifting accountability dynamics.
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Iran’s missile attack on Jordan escalates Middle East tensions — Jordan intercepted three Iranian missiles targeting its territory, as the U.S. reimposed a naval blockade on Iran over attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The incident follows reports of alleged U.S. strikes on Iranian infrastructure, including damage to a power plant on Kish Island.
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