"Armenia Appoints Tsovinar Hambardzumyan as Ambassador to North Macedonia: Bolstering Ties in the Balkans" by Carlo Coppola
.png)
By Carlo Coppola | Yerevan, December 4, 2025
Big news from Yerevan! The President of Armenia, Vahagn Khachaturyan, has officially named Ambassador Tsovinar Hambardzumyan as the new Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Representative to the Republic of North Macedonia. What's interesting is that the Presidential Decree (NH-304-A) sets up a concurrent accreditation, meaning she'll keep her primary base in Sofia, where she is already serving Armenia in Bulgaria. Double the duty, double the impact!
Meet the New Ambassador: A Wealth of Experience
Ambassador Hambardzumyan isn't new to the international stage. A graduate in Oriental Languages and Literatures from Yerevan State University, she brings an incredible résumé. This includes top-tier international studies and teaching gigs, such as Security Studies at the prestigious NATO Defense College in Rome and participation in the School of Political Studies of the Council of Europe. Just before this, she represented Armenia as Ambassador to Italy, Malta, and San Marino from 2020 to 2024. Talk about an experienced diplomat!
A Growing Friendship: Armenia and North Macedonia
The diplomatic ties between Armenia and North Macedonia are relatively young, starting on September 27, 2019, when the Foreign Ministers signed a protocol at the UN General Assembly. It's worth noting that the first Armenian ambassador, Armen Yedigaryan, also resided in Sofia when he presented his credentials to Macedonian President Stevo Pendarovski in 2022.
Shared Paths to Europe
These two nations have a lot in common, especially when it comes to shared challenges and European aspirations. Armenia is making a major pivot in its foreign policy, focusing on European integration after recent issues with Azerbaijan. North Macedonia has been an EU candidate since 2005, and finally kicked off accession talks in 2022. Both countries are actively looking to strengthen their bilateral relationship through cultural exchange, economic partnership, and cooperation on security and international governance, effectively building strategic bridges in the Balkans and towards Europe.
The Vibrant Armenian Community in Skopje
While small—about 300 people—the Armenian community in North Macedonia is well-organized! They have the Union of Armenians of Macedonia and even a small Sunday school.
Stars and Achievers
The community has produced some truly impressive figures:
- Rock Legends: We have to start with the Tavitjan brothers, particularly Garabet Tavitjan, the founding drummer of the iconic 70s rock group Leb i Sol. They are arguably North Macedonia's most important band and giants of the old Yugoslav rock scene!
- Stage Performers: Tenor Artur Surmejan and choreographer Hazaros Surmejan are active forces in the Macedonian theatre and opera world.
- Sports: Goalkeeper Tigran Kandikjan (born in Skopje, 1993), who holds dual citizenship and has played professionally in Macedonian leagues.
- Brains & Business: The academic world features professors Vladimir and Tatjana Kandikjan. In business, there's Vortik Stefan Knalijan, who runs a significant company across manufacturing, agriculture, trade, and services.
- Art History: Prof. Kosta Balabanov is a renowned art historian, a top expert on Macedonian icons, and serves as the Honorary Consul General of Japan in Skopje. Talk about versatile!
