Vaհe H Apelian
Today the Armenian government celebrated the launching of the new Armenian biometric ID/passports that meets prevailing standards to safeguard an individual identify and facilitate travel.
ԱՆՁՆԱԳԻՐ & ԱՆՑԱԳԻՐ, the biometric passport is more than a passport, although it serves as a passport. The Armenian words make the distinction evident. In Armenian biometric passport means ԱՆՁՆԱԳԻՐ, which would be equivalent to identification card (ID), while a passport as we understand is called ԱՆՑԱԳԻՐ. In U.S. driver’s license can be substituted for identification card. But the state may issue and ID card, if the person does not drive. In Armenia biometric passport, or biometric ID will serve both purposes. Biometric ID cards are mandatory for Armenian citizens aged 16 and older. Those who hold the old passports will not be required to switch immediately, but will acquire biometric ID/passport, as the old passports expire.
The formal launching of the passport was done in a celebratory concert, during which the Interior Minister Arpine Sargsyan presented the first new biometric passport to the PM Nikol Pashinyan.
But this was not first presentation of the new passport to the public. On April 28, 2026, PM Nikol Pashinyan and Interior Minister Arpine Sargsyan presented to the public the new Armenian biometric passport. Apparently, the government official who had a significant input in the implementation of the new Armenian biometric passport is Interior Minister Arpine Sargsyan.
The new biometric Armenian passport is a treasure trove of what makes the holder a proud citizen of Armenia in peace with its neighbors. I hope that the un-officialized passport booklet may be purchased for keepsake. I think every Armenian should have one, should it become available as a keepsake.
I had followed the presentation and had captured it in my blogs, which are attached below. Indeed, the new Armenian passport is a true reflection of the Republic of Armenia. Those interested my read the blogs below that detail the depictions in the new passport. Vaհe H Apelian
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1. The new Armenian passport and young woman behind it. https://vhapelian.blogspot.com/2026/05/the-young-woman-behind-new-armenian.html
2. Armenia’s Passport: A walk in Armenian identification- 1/2. https://vhapelian.blogspot.com/2026/04/armenias-passport-walk-in-armenia-ident.html
3. Armenia’s passport: Fortresses, and border marking for a walk in Armenian identification -2/2. https://vhapelian.blogspot.com/2026/05/armenias-passport-fortresses-and-border_0235027466.html
