Robotic Surgery Milestone: Slavmed Medical Center in Yerevan carried out Armenia’s first robotic remote surgery, with a Belgium-based urologist operating over 3,300 km away for a robot-assisted prostatectomy. New Direct Flight to Armenia: Wizz Air launched a new London Luton–Yerevan direct route, cutting travel time to about five and a half hours and boosting UK access to Armenia. Tourism Momentum: Armenia logged a record tourism run—over 1 million visitors in the first half of 2026 (about 1.041m), with June arrivals also rising. EU Visa Liberalisation Update: Armenia’s RA–EU visa liberalisation dialogue is in an active phase, with biometric systems and border reforms progressing and new red biometric passports planned for autumn 2026. Airport Congestion: Zvartnots International Airport saw hours-long delays due to passport-control congestion after multiple flights landed close together. Healthcare & Diaspora Links: Under the BRIDGE initiative, an Armenian-American physician highlighted how education, clinical collaboration, and long-term partnerships could position Armenia as a regional hub for specialized minimally invasive care. Tourism-Linked Trade: Armenia’s economy minister said flower exports rose sharply, while PM Pashinyan pointed to strong tourist arrivals as a “form of export.” Regional Air Connectivity: A new seasonal charter flight connects Burgas (Bulgaria) and Yerevan once a week in summer, aiming to drive tourism and cultural ties.