The Hrant Dink Foundation implemented its Türkiye-Armenia Journalists’ Dialogue Programme in Yerevan, Armenia between June 4-8, 2026. In the 14th year of the programme, which aims to foster lasting relationships between journalists from Türkiye and Armenia and to support a healthy flow of news between the two countries, 5 journalists from different outlets were in the neighbouring country to cover the parliamentary elections of Armenia.
The journalists from ANKA News Agency, Evrensel, Fayn, İlke TV, and Serbestiyet, all visiting Armenia for the first time, attended various meetings and discussions where they were briefed on the political landscape in Armenia, post-election scenarios, the latest regional developments, and Turkiye-Armenia relations in the light of those developments.
On the first day, the journalists met with Daniel Ioannisian, Programmes Coordinator of the Union of Informed Citizens (UIC) NGO, and learned about disinformation cases during the election period and media ownership in Armenia. Later that day, they joined a discussion with Civil Contract Party MPs Sargis Khandanyan and Maria Karapetyan. In the evening, they exchanged views with members of the Consortium implementing the programme “Support to Armenia-Türkiye Normalization: Enhancing Cross-border Linkages”.
One of the highlights of the visit for the journalists was attending the final pre-election rally held by Nikol Pashinyan at the Republic Square ahead of the elections on June 7. The journalists from Türkiye witnessed the atmosphere and mood of people gathered to support the ruling party.
The second day of the programme kicked off with a meeting at the Armenian Council NGO with its President Areg Kochinyan and associated experts, where the discussion went around Armenian domestic politics, regional developments, Armenia–Türkiye normalization and the impact of Armenia-Azerbaijan relation on the latter. Later, the Armenian media landscape was presented by Nouneh Sarkissian, Managing Director of Media Initiatives Center. Following these meetings, historian and diplomat Prof. Jirair Libaridian joined the journalists for discussion, where they could get insights from the former diplomat. In the afternoon, a wide-ranging meeting was held at the Eurasia Partnership Foundation with civil society representatives and human rights experts, during which political, social, and economic issues in Türkiye and Armenia were discussed. That evening, the journalists got together with their counterparts from Armenia.
Election day began with a visit to the polling station where Civil Contract Party leader and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan cast his vote. After observing the election atmosphere, the journalists had lunch with HDF’s Türkiye–Armenia Experts Dialogue Group members Ara Ghazaryan, one of Armenia's leading human rights lawyers, and Nouneh Sarkissian, Managing Director of the Media Initiatives Centre. In the final leg of the visit, the delegation met with Karen Harutyunyan, Editor-in-Chief of CivilNet, touching upon the available polls and predictions for the elections. On the evening of the parliamentary election which is seen as a critical turning point for both Armenia and the region, the journalists observed proceedings at the Central Election Commission of Armenia.
From the press:
Erivan’dan seçim öncesi izlenimler: Türkiye ile sınır açılsa ertesi gün kuyruk olacaktır
Ermenistan’da kritik seçim günü: Paşinyan istediğini alabilecek mi?
Ermenistan’da parlamento seçimi: Oy sayımı devam ediyor, Paşinyan zaferini ilan etti
Erivan’da Türkçe konuştuğu için tepki gören Garo Paylan: Normalleşme hızlanmalı
Ermenistan sandık başında: Paşinyan oyunu kullanıp Türkiye mesajı verdi
Ermenistan’da en çok tanınan Türk gazeteci
Paşinyan, Erivan’daki partisinin mitinginde bateri çaldı
Ağrı Dağı mı, Aragats Dağı mı? Ermenistan sandıkta kendini seçiyor
In 2026-2027, Türkiye-Armenia Journalists Dialogue Programme is conducted within the framework of the programme “Support to Armenia - Türkiye Normalization: Enhancing Cross-border Linkages" funded by the European Union.
