Author: Emil Lazarian

Armenia’s Central Electoral Commission (CEC) has reminded media outlets that extracts from the protocols of the regular National Assembly elections have been published on the CEC’s official website and has called on journalists and media organizations not to disseminate false information when referring to any of those extracts.

“We inform our media partners that steps will be taken to restore the good reputation and credibility of the electoral system. If necessary, these measures will also include the filing of legal claims,” the Central Electoral Commission said in a statement.

The Anti-Corruption Committee has announced that it has arrested four individuals and dismantled an organized vote-buying scheme which involved former high-ranking officials, including Arman Sahakyan, the ex-head of the State Property Management Department, who was taken into custody earlier today.

Two of the four suspects have been placed in pre-trial detention by a court.

The law enforcement agency also released an audio recording obtained during surveillance, which appears to capture a conversation between the suspects discussing the alleged scheme.

Authorities said the investigation is focused on identifying possible accomplices of the suspects.

The Central Electoral Commission announced on Tuesday that it will conduct a recount of votes in the parliamentary elections held on June 7.

The recount will be conducted in 86 polling stations across 20 territorial electoral commissions.

Stephen Doughty, the UK Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories, has congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his victory in the parliamentary elections. The British official noted that the United Kingdom is ready to continue cooperation with Armenia’s new government.

“Congratulations to Nikol Pashinyan on your election victory. The UK looks forward to working with the new, democratically elected Armenian government to deliver on our Strategic Partnership, strengthen regional stability, and develop closer relations with partners in Europe,” Doughty wrote on his X account.

Parliamentary elections were held in Armenia on 7 June. According to preliminary results, three political forces have secured seats in parliament: the Civil Contract party, with 727,827 votes, or 49.825 per cent, which on the strength of its result will hold a parliamentary majority and form a government; the Strong Armenia alliance, with 340,088 votes, or 23.281 per cent; and the Armenia Alliance, with 145,113 votes, or 9.934 per cent. According to preliminary data, the Prosperous Armenia party is also very close to the four per cent threshold required to enter parliament, having received 3.996 per cent. The party had already announced that it would apply to the Central Electoral Commission for a recount at a number of polling stations. Other political forces had also called for a recount.

Armenia’s Ambassador to Bulgaria Tsovinar Hambardzumyan has held an official meeting with Bulgarian Deputy Foreign Minister Hristo Polendakov, the Armenian Embassy in Bulgaria reported.

The deputy minister congratulated the ambassador on the successful organisation and conduct of the parliamentary elections held in Armenia on 7 June.

During the meeting, the deputy minister spoke highly of bilateral relations with Armenia, noting that they are built on longstanding historical and cultural ties between the two peoples and have recently been reinforced by the Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership signed on 3 May by Bulgarian President Iliana Iotova and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Hristo Polendakov noted that Bulgaria highly values Armenia’s continued commitment to European values and democratic reforms, despite an unstable security environment and a complex regional and geopolitical context, and expressed readiness to share Bulgaria’s knowledge and experience.

The two sides discussed prospects for expanding bilateral cooperation across a number of areas of mutual interest. Key topics included the need to strengthen trade and economic relations, Armenia’s participation in inter-regional energy and transport projects, as well as opportunities for innovation and investment promotion. The possibility of joining efforts to restore direct air routes between the two countries was also discussed.

Mushegh Hovsepyan of Armenia has been elected to the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) from among 15 candidates.

His election marks the first time that an Armenian expert will serve on the Committee, according to a press release from Armenia’s Permanent Mission to the UN.

“Armenia remains committed to advancing the rights of persons with disabilities,” the Mission said.

Armenian Ambassador to Greece Tigran Mkrtchyan met with the Governor of the Eastern Macedonia and Thrace region, Christodoulos Topsidis.

According to the embassy’s readout, the meeting focused on interregional cooperation, the expansion of economic ties, and the development of connectivity.

Ambassador Mkrtchyan highlighted the importance of deepening cooperation between the regions of Armenia and Greece, particularly emphasizing prospects for partnership between Armenia’s Shirak Province and Greece’s Eastern Macedonia and Thrace region.

The Ambassador presented the Armenian government’s “Crossroads of Peace” initiative and the TRIPP project, addressing prospects for unblocking regional connectivity and creating new economic opportunities. The sides also discussed the export of Armenian products to European markets and the potential role of Greek infrastructure in facilitating these processes.

Governor Topsidis expressed readiness to develop cooperation with Armenia’s regions, emphasizing opportunities for joint participation in EU-funded interregional programs. He also highlighted the strategic importance of the region, including the role of the Port of Alexandroupolis and the airport in regional transport and logistics.

Both sides underlined the historical presence and contribution of the Armenian community to the development of the region and agreed to continue exploring opportunities for further cooperation.