The Armenian government has approved the ratification of a protocol amending the agreement between Armenia and Mongolia on the mutual exemption from visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and official passports.

The matter was included in the package of unreported items at the government’s July 23 meeting.

The protocol, signed on September 24, 2025, introduces amendments to the agreement originally signed on September 28, 2018.

The government has decided to apply to the Constitutional Court to determine whether the obligations set out in the protocol comply with the Constitution. If the court issues a positive ruling, the draft law on ratification will be submitted to the National Assembly.

Deputy Foreign Minister Mnatsakan Safaryan has been appointed as the government’s representative before the Constitutional Court.

The Armenian government has approved a progress report on the implementation of the program to extend the operating lifetime of Unit 2 of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant (ANPP) for a second time.

The matter was included in the package of unreported items at the government’s July 23 meeting.

The program comprises 103 measures in total. Of the 23 major activities assigned to Rusatom Service, 18 contracts have been signed. Work is ongoing under nine of the contracts, while the remaining nine have been completed.

For the 37 major activities under the responsibility of the ANPP, 45 procurement procedures have been conducted. A total of 36 contracts have been signed, with work completed under 17 of them.

In December 2023, a framework agreement worth approximately $57.5 million was signed with Rusatom Service.

As part of the safety assessment for the power unit, studies have been carried out on the impact of fires, probabilistic safety, deviations from current regulatory requirements, and additional measures to enhance safety. Some of the reports have been submitted to the Nuclear Safety Regulatory Committee for review.

Implementation of the program to extend the operating lifetime of ANPP Unit 2 for a second time is ongoing.

The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 23 July, USD exchange rate down by 0.94 drams to 365.95 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 1.07 drams to 417.29 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.0322 drams to 4.6535 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 1.44 drams to 489.13 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 1087 drams to 48887 drams. Silver price up by 3.52 drams to 698.17 drams.

Armenian Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan met on July 23 with David Allen, Chargé d’Affaires of the United States in Armenia, and Edward Aikler, head of the Economic and Commercial Section of the U.S. Embassy, the Ministry of Economy said in a statement.

During the meeting, the sides reaffirmed that economic cooperation between Armenia and the United States continues to develop dynamically, noting the positive progress achieved in recent months.

The discussions also focused on the U.S. process of granting Market Economy Status (MES) to Armenia.

Papoyan expressed confidence that the effective cooperation established between the two countries would help advance the process and further develop the bilateral economic agenda of mutual interest.

The United States’ recognition of a country as a market economy means Washington officially acknowledges that prices and production costs in that country’s economy are determined primarily by market forces rather than direct government control. The designation can enhance a country’s investment appeal, facilitate access to the U.S. market for certain producers, reduce the risk of additional duties in anti-dumping cases, and signal U.S. confidence in the country’s market-based economic system.

Armenia’s Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) and Greece’s Regulatory Authority for Energy, Waste and Water (RAAEY) have signed a memorandum of understanding, laying the groundwork for closer cooperation in the energy and water sectors.

Following the signing ceremony, PSRC Chairman Mesrop Mesropyan said the primary focus of the cooperation would be the exchange of expertise and joint work in water sector regulation.

“We primarily plan to cooperate on water sector regulation. We already have partners in the other areas we regulate, so we attach particular importance to the water sector and will work with our Greek counterparts in that direction. I can say with certainty that we will begin the practical work as early as tomorrow,” Mesropyan said.

He noted that this is the commission’s first such cooperation with Greece, adding that over the past 27 years the PSRC has signed similar memorandums with regulatory authorities from various countries and has extensive experience in implementing them.

Konstantinos Tsimaras, head of Greece’s Regulatory Authority for Energy, Waste and Water, said the agreement would help strengthen ties between the two countries.

“I am confident that this cooperation will be effective and create new opportunities for exchanging expertise in the water and energy sectors. I believe this marks the beginning of a long-term and productive partnership between our two countries, and I hope we will expand this close cooperation to other areas in the future,” he said.

As part of his working visit to Canada, Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan met on July 22 with representatives of Canada’s academic and expert community, the Armenian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The discussion, held in a question-and-answer format, focused on regional developments, efforts to consolidate peace in the South Caucasus, the unblocking of regional infrastructure, international developments, and the Armenia-Canada bilateral agenda.

The participants also stressed the need to translate the current momentum in Armenia-Canada relations into tangible trade and economic results.

Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan met in Paris with Benjamin Haddad, France’s Minister Delegate for Europe, the Armenian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The two officials welcomed the dynamic development of the Armenia-France strategic partnership and discussed joint steps to further deepen bilateral cooperation.

They also reviewed ways to expand and strengthen the Armenia-European Union partnership, with particular emphasis on advancing economic cooperation, including broadening Armenia’s access to the European market.

Kostanyan briefed his French counterpart on regional developments and Armenia’s efforts to further consolidate peace in the South Caucasus.

The European Union Delegation to Armenia held a pre-departure meeting with Armenian students selected for the Erasmus Mundus programme, the EU Delegation said in a statement.

Frank Hess, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation, encouraged the students to make the most of their academic journey. He urged them to develop intercultural competences, join international networks, gain leadership skills, and use the knowledge and experience they acquire to contribute to Armenia’s future.

The meeting was organized ahead of the students’ departure to begin their studies under the Erasmus Mundus programme.