- Astghik Bedevian
Following Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s pledges to “dispossess” his main political foes, the Armenian authorities have launched tax audits of companies owned by opposition leader Gagik Tsarukian, his spokeswoman said on Friday.
“Dozens of companies of the Multi Group concern (Tsarukian’s business conglomerate) are undergoing various tax audits these days,” Iveta Tonoyan told reporters.
Armenia’s State Revenue Committee (SRC), the national tax service, did not confirm or comment on the reported audits. Tsarukian was charged with “larges-scale” tax evasion and banned from leaving the country last week just as his Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) accused the Central Election Commission (CEC) of illegally barring it from the new Armenian parliament elected on June 7.
The BHK was one of the three main opposition groups that ran in the elections. According to their official results, it lacked just a few dozen votes to clear a 4 percent legal threshold for winning parliament seats. Tsarukian’s party lost more than 200 votes as a result of the CEC’s highly controversial decision to cancel vote results in three precincts and not rerun elections there.
Pashinian has repeatedly pledged to imprison and “dispossess” Tsarukian as well as the leaders of the two other election challengers of his Civil Contract party. During the election campaign, he announced the impending nationalization of Armenia’s largest cement plant belonging to Tsarukian. He went on to promise to “return to the people” the tycoon’s properties, notably a hilltop villa just outside Yerevan, in case of winning reelection.
Tonoyan confirmed reports that Yerevan’s municipal administration has decided to unilaterally rescind a long-term lease agreement on land in the city center occupied by Tsarukian’s Multi Wellness fitness center. She said the decision is illegal and will be challenged in court.
“That area was leased to the Multi Group concern until 2065,” said Tsarukian’s spokeswoman. “[Multi Group] lawyers have already presented their objections.”
Critics portray Pashinian’s statements as further proof that law-enforcement authorities are acting on his illegal orders. Hundreds of opposition members and supporters were detained on vote-buying charges in the run-up to the elections. The arrests continued on election day and in the following days.
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Armenpress: U.S. and Iran presidents sign ceasefire agreement
The U.S. and Iran released the text of an interim agreement their presidents have signed to end their war on Wednesday, with U.S. President Donald Trump threatening to resume attacks and kill Iranian officials if they failed to honour their commitments, Reuters reports.
Trump, attending the G7 with other leaders in France, also withdrew at least one of his stated rationales for attacking Iran in the first place, saying it would be “unfair” for Tehran not to have ballistic missiles, having previously vowed to obliterate them.
“We’re going to bomb the hell out of them if they violate the agreement,” Trump said of Iran at a press conference. “I don’t want them to. I want them to honor the agreement.” He also called Iranians “smart people” as U.S. and Iranian negotiators work on a permanent truce over the coming 60 days, which Trump said he hoped would usher in peace in the Middle East and lower oil prices.
Earlier, he had said: “If I don’t like it, if they don’t behave, we’ll go right back to dropping bombs right smack in the middle of their head, OK?”
Iran’s leaders did not address the new threats while celebrating the moment, releasing photographs of what is believed to be the first agreement signed by both a U.S. and Iranian president since the Islamic Republic’s founding in 1979.
“Everything we sought to achieve through military action, we obtained several times over through negotiation; it was not even comparable,” Iran’s lead negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf told state television about the agreement, which includes the unfreezing of billions of dollars in Iranian assets.
The U.S. and Israel launched the war on Iran on February 28, assassinating the 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and military leaders on the first day. It quickly spiralled into a regional conflict that has killed more than 7,000 people, mostly in Iran and Lebanon; driven up energy prices; renewed inflationary pressures and sparked concerns about a major food supply crisis in developing countries.
The 14-point agreement extends a ceasefire announced in April by another 60 days, including in Lebanon, to allow the two sides to negotiate a final truce. Both Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian have digitally signed the memorandum in English and Farsi, U.S. and Iran officials said, with Iran’s foreign ministry saying the agreement was already in effect as of Wednesday.
Trump signed just before a grand dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palace of Versailles, the site of the signing of the eponymous treaty that formally ended World War One.
The memorandum includes an immediate end to the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, the full resumption of maritime traffic “with no charge” in the Strait of Hormuz, the lifting of a U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, the waiving of U.S. sanctions on Iran, the unfreezing of its assets, and a $300 billion investment fund for the Islamic Republic’s post-war reconstruction.
Oil prices fell again on Wednesday on prospects for the reopening of the Hormuz, the slender, vital waterway between Iran and Oman, with Brent crude futures below $80, at their lowest level since the war’s start. They later regained more than 1% after Trump threatened renewed violence.
Iran also undertakes not to build nuclear weapons, reaffirming a vow it had made for decades.
Published by Armenpress, original at
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Armenia’s international reserves hit record high, Central Bank says
Armenia’s international reserves have reached a record-high level, Vice Governor of the Central Bank Armen Nurbekyan told lawmakers.
“We have a record-high level of reserves this year. It is already more than approximately $5.7 billion,” he said at a plenary session of parliament.
According to him, the Central Bank has purchased around $1.1 billion in foreign currency this year alone.
“Only this year, we have already purchased approximately $1.1 billion in foreign exchange,” Nurbekyan noted.
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UK to deliver 150,000 drones and 350 air defense missiles to Ukraine
The UK Ministry of Defence has announced that the United Kingdom will deliver 150,000 drones and 350 air defense missiles to Ukraine by the end of the year. RIA Novosti reports that the aid package for Kyiv will include, in particular, Martlet lightweight multirole missiles, LMM drones and ground-based radar systems. The total value of the assistance to be provided to Ukraine will amount to £752 million (nearly $1 billion). The package is part of the £2.26 billion loan announced by London in 2024. The United Kingdom is financing the assistance through profits generated from frozen Russian assets. The support package was announced by UK Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry Dan Jarvis during a meeting of NATO defence ministers and a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in the Ramstein format.
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Armenia expands agricultural exports to multiple markets as apricots head to U
Armenia has exported hundreds of tonnes of agricultural produce and nearly two million flowers so far this month, while exports of apricots have also begun, Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan said on Thursday amid efforts to diversify export markets.
Speaking at the Cabinet meeting, Papoyan said Armenia exported 411 tonnes of greenhouse-grown vegetables and strawberries, as well as around 1.8 million flowers, between June 1 and June 17.
By export volume, the main destinations were Georgia, Uzbekistan, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Latvia, Romania, the Czech Republic, Austria, the Netherlands, France, Belarus and Kazakhstan.
According to Papoyan, exports of apricots have also begun.
“We have exported 162 tonnes of apricots. The first shipments were sent yesterday to Ukraine and Georgia,” the economy minister said.
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Czech PM Andrej Babiš congratulates Pashinyan on election victory
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his electoral victory.
The letter from PM Babiš was published by Pashinyan’s office.
“Dear Prime Minister, allow me, on behalf of myself and the Czech Republic, to sincerely congratulate you on your victory in the recent parliamentary elections. The results of these elections clearly demonstrate the trust that the citizens of your country have in you. I warmly recall our meeting in Yerevan this May and am pleased that the Republic of Armenia hosted the European Political Community summit, which can be considered successful and was accompanied by a positive international response.
I am confident that, under your leadership, the Republic of Armenia will successfully overcome existing challenges, continue to prosper, and maintain its pro-Western orientation.
Relations between our countries have traditionally been friendly, based on shared values, mutual respect, and close cooperation in a number of areas, particularly trade, transport, and the defense industry. I greatly value this partnership and look forward to our future personal cooperation both bilaterally and within international organizations.
I wish you success, good health, and great strength in carrying out your demanding and responsible duties.”
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Armen Nikoghosyan steps down as FFA vice-president
Armen Nikoghosyan, Vice-President of the Football Federation of Armenia (FFA), has stepped down from his position. “Our country, together with Georgia, secured the right to host the 2029 FIFA U-20 World Cup, the second-largest football tournament in the world in terms of significance. To be honest, I could not even have dreamed that during my tenure I would be directly involved in events of such magnitude that seemed unattainable not long ago. But now this is a reality. It is time to pursue new goals, and I will take part in the preparatory work for organizing this tournament. Therefore, I announce my resignation from the position of FFA Vice-President and membership of the Executive Committee,” Armen Nikoghosyan said in a statement. In November 2017, Armen Nikoghosyan was appointed Adviser to the President of the Football Federation of Armenia. Since September 2018, he had served as Vice-President of the Football Federation of Armenia. In December 2019, he was re-elected to the position.
Published by Armenpress, original at
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Armenpress: Progress in implementation of 2024-2026 police reform strategy dis
A session of the Council coordinating police reforms was held at the Government under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the agenda included discussion of the progress in implementing the 2024-2026 strategic program for police reforms. Minister of Internal Affairs Arpine Sargsyan presented the progress and results of the measures envisaged under the strategic program for implementation in 2025, as well as the measures and reforms carried out so far in 2026. Details were presented on the priorities of the strategic program and the achievements of the governance model formed through the establishment of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, including the creation of a single educational complex of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the 112 operational management center, the four pillars of policing, and the crime statistics and research center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, as well as the streamlining of public services and their transfer to the ministry’s domain. Details were also presented on the work carried out within the framework of the reforms in the areas of human resources management, strengthening integrity, modernization of the operational management center, launch of the Police Guard, and development of the Patrol Service and Criminal Police. The Minister of Internal Affairs noted that basic education has been set as a mandatory entry requirement for joining the services. Work has also been carried out to improve the certification system and introduce a new performance evaluation system. According to Arpine Sargsyan, the number of crimes has decreased by 3.2% compared to the previous year. The agenda also included proposals on improving the effectiveness of investigative functions. A discussion followed, during which members of the Council presented their observations and positions on the work carried out. Various proposals were made to improve the effectiveness of community policing. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan emphasized the importance of further increasing the effectiveness of the reforms, introducing new approaches and ensuring more effective implementation of the goals set under the strategic program. The Head of Government instructed that, taking into account the discussions held during the Council session, the issues raised be identified, in-depth analyses be carried out, and proposals be presented at the next session.
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“Western Azerbaijan” is a strategic goal for Baku
The topic of Western Azerbaijan is of strategic importance. Do you know who announced this? Minister of Education and Science of Azerbaijan Emin Amrullaev. Moreover, according to him, this issue plays a fundamental role in the matter of national identity and youth education.
He announced these thoughts within the framework of the third festival-conference on the theme of Western Azerbaijan taking place in Ordubad. Let me remind you that the Ministry of Education and Science of Azerbaijan is a state institution in the state structure, not a public one. It is a portfolio of the government of Azerbaijan. Here, the holder of that portfolio says that the topic of Western Azerbaijan is strategic and declares that the role of Ilham Aliyev is too big in that matter.
Moreover, that minister gives the example of the return of Azerbaijanis to “Eastern Zangezur”, saying that any goal can be realized in case of consistent work.
In other words, he considers the goal of the so-called “return” to “Western Azerbaijan” to be realizable, in case of consistent work.
The words of the member of the government of Azerbaijan are heard immediately after the words that Nikol Pashinyan voiced the day before that the subject of the settlement of Azerbaijanis in Armenia is fictitious.
Well, Nikol Pashinyan has the opportunity to instruct a member of his government, the minister of KGSMS, or at least the spokesperson of the ministry, to respond to his Azerbaijani colleague. Although, Nikol Pashinyan can “crush” only the opposition, and he can only entertain the government of Azerbaijan.
Analyst Hakob Badalyan
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Asbarez: Turkey and Azerbaijan Want to Wipe Armenia ‘Off the Map,’ European La
Member of European Parliament Geadis Geadi
Geadis Geadi, a European Parliament Member from Cyprus, warned Armenia that there will be grave consequences as it seeks to normalize relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan.
“I visit Armenia regularly, and I see that today there is a prevailing desire for an absolutely neutral policy and for developing cooperation with Turkey and Azerbaijan, without understanding that these countries want to wipe Armenia off the map and completely redraw the map of the world. Since we too have been victims of Turkish policy, we can understand where such processes might lead in the future,” Geadi said in a conversation with Alpha News.
Throughout the renewed efforts by Turkey and Armenia to normalize relations without preconditions, official Ankara has been steadfast in its insistence that any final agreement hinges on the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Turkish government officials have gone on record to emphasize that the normalization process with Armenia is closely being coordinated with Baku.
“I think this is an illusion of peace, because Turkey is a country with long-term geopolitical views. Knowing its history, I have seen what its views are on Armenia, the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean as a whole. And they want to wipe off the map all the countries that have caused them problems,” the European lawmaker said when asked about Baku’s promotion of “peace.”
“So, from my point of view, I disagree with and do not accept Armenia’s new geopolitical vision. And I think this will lead to a lot of problems, I consider it dangerous. Pashinyan has tried to push Europe toward a certain position. He has said that if he isn’t accepted as an ally of Turkey, then it’s necessary to ‘draw Turkey into Europe.’ By his logic, Armenia must move through Turkey to get a path into the EU. So the only route is through Turkey,” he explained.
“On the other hand, there is the Russian path of development. In other words, in my view, he is promoting an anti-Russian version of this geopolitical line. If we’re talking about Armenia possibly being admitted to the European Union, it could be admitted to the EU without Turkey as well,” Geadi added.
“Membership in Europe doesn’t mean a country necessarily has to have a land connection to it. For example, Cyprus has no such connection, yet it’s an EU member. So the claim that a territorial ‘link’ is required is not a necessary condition. At the same time, we’re also talking about Turkey, which, in my view, cannot be admitted to the EU, since it is a country that does not respect international law, human rights, or the norms of maritime law,” he explained.
Speaking about the elections in Armenia and the fact that Europe turned a blind eye to violations in the Armenian elections, based on the logic of supporting a geopolitical line of confrontation with Russia in the region that is advantageous to itself, Geadi said that, as a whole, there is a positive view of Armenia within the European Parliament.
“Some don’t share this optimism, but most members of the European Parliament still tend to view Armenia rather positively, and they feel that some issues or changes need to be addressed in Armenia’s electoral procedures. But I want to share what I know from my visit to Armenia,” he explained.
“I spoke with Pashinyan, I spoke with the president, I spoke with members of parliament, and I saw that there seem to be two different voices within Armenian society. One part of the Armenian people supports Pashinyan and wants to leave everything that happened with Turkey and Azerbaijan in the past, effectively trying to forget their own history,” the European lawmaker said.
“And there is another part of the Armenian people that never forgets. They are fighting for justice, for their country, their nation and their historical memory. And they make no compromises with countries that, in their view, are enemies of Armenia, especially since, in their view, these countries are not democratic,” he added.
“This is exactly what I talked about at my last plenary session in Strasbourg, when I raised the issue of Armenia. I noted that I saw, as it were, two different voices, two different communities, two different approaches and two different ways of thinking within Armenian society. I have spoken with many people in Armenia itself, outside it, in Brussels, in Strasbourg, and in Cyprus, where there is a sizable Armenian community. And I came to the conclusion that there really are two different views of the situation,” Geadi explained, referring to a presentation he made at the European Parliament.
“But I support those people who are fighting for their justice, who are fighting for their history. And I disagree with Pashinyan’s new political outlook,” he emphasized.
“I said this in his office as well, when we had a meeting. I expressed my opinion, he disagreed, but I can say everything I believe,” Geadi said, referencing a recent meeting he had with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
“And since I come from a country like Cyprus, I fully understand this pain, I fully understand that we must defend the law, we must defend justice. And my message to the Armenian people is: keep fighting, keep fighting for justice. Never forget your history,” he explained.
“I want to draw the Armenian people’s attention to the fact that they must never forget the Armenian Genocide. I should say that when we had an official European Parliament session at Armenia’s National Assembly, I introduced an amendment concerning recognition of the Armenian Genocide. And indeed, some members of the Armenian parliament voted against it, that’s a real fact. They were representatives of Pashinyan’s party,” the European lawmaker emphasized.
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