Armenian authorities resort to ploy to avoid using Mount Ararat in  country`s new passports

ArmInfo.Armenian authorities have resorted to a ploy to avoid using Mount Ararat in the country's new passports. This became known during a meeting on  April 28 between Armenian Interior Minister Arpine Sargsyan and RA  Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, where a sample of a new biometric  passport for citizens of the Republic of Armenia was presented.

According to the presentation, the color of the new biometric  passports will  change from blue to dark red.  Furthermore, according  to the presentation, Armenia's new biometric passport will reflect  Armenian identity, historical and cultural heritage, and symbols of  statehood. Accordingly, the passport first features an outline map of  the Republic of Armenia, the alphabet created by Mesrop Mashtots, and  the first sentence written in Armenian letters: "To know wisdom and  instruction, to perceive the words of understanding."

Further, each page of the passport, according to the presentation,  will contain  images, starting with the genealogy of Armenians—an  image of Hayk Nahapet and the petroglyphs discovered in the Geghama  Mountains and Ukhtasar, which have a rather long history—followed by  a cuneiform inscription commemorating the founding of Yerevan, a very  important part of Armenian identity and history. It was emphasized  that the image of the Erebuni Fortress has been restored by scholars.  The next page will feature sword stones from the Artaxiad period,  bearing Aramaic inscriptions. Finally, the passport will include an  image of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, symbolizing the adoption  of Christianity as the state religion in 301.

The year of the adoption of Christianity itself is emphasized as a  key component of our identity and history.  Symbols of modern  statehood are also featured: the presidential residence, the  buildings of the Government, the National Assembly, and the  Constitutional Court of Armenia.

The Yerevan Cascade and Alexander Tamanyan, the patriarch of modern  urban development, are also depicted. The Aragats region is presented  in alphabetical order, with the four peaks of Mount Aragats; the  Ararat region, with one of the most important Christian centers, Khor  Virap; the Armavir region, with the lavash baking process, gardens,  and orchards; the Gegharkunik region, with Lake Sevan and the 10th-  century Berdkunk fortress; and the Kotayk region, with the pagan  temple of Garni. 

It is worth noting that the Khor Virap monastery complex is depicted  on biometric passports in such a way that Mount Ararat is not  visible, although traditionally, the monastery is depicted in all  paintings with Mount Ararat towering in the background. As of  November 1, 2025, Armenian authorities also removed the image of  Mount Ararat from state stamps used at border crossings.

Notably, this decision was made on the eve of the Turkish  delegation's visit to Yerevan. The Armenian Prime Minister explained  this decision by citing "a desire to depict symbols associated with  Armenia's internationally recognized borders on the border stamp."