19:00 News in Brief: Flight Cancellations in Sochi, Discussions in Baku and Yerevan

Here are the news highlights from the last hour:

• French President Emmanuel Macron has arrived in Gyumri, where he paid tribute to the victims of the earthquake and participated in a joint concert with Armenian leadership.
• Armenia and France have officially confirmed a strategic partnership, which encompasses extensive cooperation in the fields of security, defense, and economy.
• The Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia emphasized the importance of restoring railway connections with Turkey, which would open new opportunities for Armenia toward the European Union.
• Dozens of flights have been delayed at Sochi Airport due to threats of drone attacks, while air defense systems were activated in the city.
• The U.S. Secretary of Defense announced aggressive measures for the protection of vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, underlining that Washington supports maintaining a ceasefire with Iran.
• The Romanian government has resigned amid a political crisis and loss of confidence from the President.
• Discussions were held in Baku regarding Azerbaijan-EU relations and the prospects for the peace process with Armenia.
• The Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union noted the activation of cooperation between Armenia and Azerbaijan at both executive and legislative levels.