June: 4, 2026
After the Pashinyan-Putin telephone conversation, Pashinyan’s telephone conversation with the Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan took place on June 2.
According to the message of the RA government, Pashinyan sent his best wishes to Erdogan on the occasion of the last Kurban Bayram. According to the report, Erdogan congratulated Pashinyan on his 51st birthday.
“The interlocutors also exchanged ideas on the issues of the bilateral agenda and expressed satisfaction with the occasion of the activation of contacts. In particular, the visit of Turkey’s Vice President Cevded Yilmaz to Armenia to participate in the European Political Community Summit, the decision to establish Turkey-Armenia direct trade procedures and the opening of the Akhalkalak-Kars railway for exports from Armenia and imports to Armenia were highlighted,” the message said.
The message spread by the Turkish side was almost indistinguishable from the message of the RA government, there were minor differences. The message of the Turkish presidency was more brief, it did not contain any mention of birthday congratulations or other emphasis. “During the conversation, the process of regulating Turkey-Armenia bilateral relations, as well as regional issues, was also touched upon. President Erdoğan announced that the settlement between Turkey and Armenia continues with steps aimed at starting direct trade.
Emphasizing that Turkey is making efforts to establish peace and stability in our region, President Erdoğan added that they will always support the steps to be taken in this direction,” said the message from the Turkish side.
It is noteworthy that this phone call follows Putin’s call to Pashinyan on the occasion of the latter’s birthday.
“The interlocutors also exchanged ideas on the current issues of the bilateral and multilateral agenda. The Prime Minister of Armenia thanked the President of the Russian Federation for his balanced positions, friendly tone, and support on a number of issues that give rise to mutual understanding,” said the message about the telephone conversation.
It should be noted that this year Pashinyan received birthday congratulations only from the heads and prime ministers of 4 CIS partners, as well as from the head of Turkey. In the light of the European integration vector of the RA foreign policy, it is noteworthy that Pashinyan did not receive congratulations from his Western partners.
168.amin a conversation with Russian Turkologist Viktor Nadein-Raevsky said that the personal congratulation of Nikol Pashinyan by the President of Turkey is not only a manifestation of ordinary diplomatic etiquette, but also political support from Ankara to the RA government.
According to him, this position of the Turkish side is conditioned by the general vision of regional processes that currently exists in the region. Naturally, according to the analyst, few people seem to share this vision in Armenia, so the change of power in Armenia can change this process and this foreign policy. “At present, important progress has been recorded for Turkey and Azerbaijan in a number of directions in relations with Armenia without much effort, while simultaneously maintaining the agenda of preconditions with Armenia. The continuity of the current government has provided an opportunity for Armenia-Turkey relations the current regulation and the atmosphere of predictability in it,” said the analyst, adding that this is also due to the fact that global agreements have been reached, they have geopolitical significance, such as the road connecting Azerbaijan to Azerbaijan through the RA territory and then to Turkey. As for the mention of the steps aimed at the start of direct trade, then, according to him, the subject of trade and export is currently extremely relevant for the Armenian side.
“Against the background of export problems to Russia, the RA authorities should try to show that Armenia has alternatives and can reach new agreements with Turkey, Azerbaijan or the West, that is, it is not dependent only on Russia from an economic and commercial point of view. It also has pre-election significance, because society needs to show that Armenia is able to create alternatives if there are problems in the Russian direction. People do not study in depth whether these alternatives really exist, but the conversations and statements about them create that impression, so this the observation that announcements about new trade agreements with the EU are made in this context,” said Victor Nadein-Raevsky.
Speaking about the perspective of Akhalkalak-Kars railway operation, the Turkologist said that this is also presented in the pre-election stage as a foreign political achievement of the current government, which allows Armenian voters to present concrete results of regional de-blockade and economic development. “In this case, many people do not study how this supports the Armenian economy and what benefits it will bring, but the announcement about it may have a certain effect,” the analyst noted. The latter drew attention to the fact that along with all this, the Armenian-Turkish border is not yet open, the relations are not established, because Azerbaijan is waiting for constitutional changes in Armenia, after which maybe the Peace Agreement will be signed and steps from Turkey will follow.
He believes that the support addressed by Erdogan to Pashinyan should also be considered through the prism of Ankara-Moscow regional competition and positioning. In his opinion, it is no coincidence that the call of the Turkish leader followed the phone call of the Russian president, which indicates the competition between major regional players. “Nevertheless, it should be noted that the future course of Armenia-Turkey relations is not strongly determined by individuals. Ankara’s strategic calculations are based on deep, geopolitical realities and self-interest. This means that Turkey is ready for different scenarios, and at the core of it all is the further goal of strengthening its own influence. However, before further developments, many people are waiting for the results of the elections,” said Victor Nadein-Raevsky.
—
Armenia will not choose between the state and strawberries – Prime Minister
“We will not give in. This is a false alternative. We will not give up on the state, but that does not mean giving up on strawberries. We will have both the state and the strawberries, we will have AI factories, a developed energy sector, prosperity, independence, development, and the state,” Pashinyan said.
According to the Prime Minister, no one should think that Armenia will have to choose between prosperity and the state. “No. We have chosen that the state is an instrument of prosperity, and the state should bring us prosperity, happiness, and development from generation to generation,” he said.
—
Instead of the promised 300 schools – 135, and instead of 500 kindergartens – 306. Pashinya
June: 4, 2026
In 2021, Pashinyan unveiled to the public one of the most touted initiatives of his government’s five-year plan: to build, overhaul or renovate by 2026 at least 300 schools and 500 kindergartens and preschools. This program was presented as a key component of the educational revolution, a symbol of “New Armenia” and should become one of the main indicators of the government’s effectiveness.
5 years have passed. There are only a few weeks left until the end of this government’s mandate, and today it is already possible to assess based on clear data that this promise, among others, has not been fulfilled.
During 2023-2026, Pashinyan and the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan repeatedly announced in their public speeches that the implementation of the program is going well and according to the schedule. However, the reality is completely different.
According to the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, only 135 of the planned 300 schools have been completed. In other words, more than half of the promised schools, 165, are still not ready by the end of the government’s activities.
In the case of kindergartens, only 306 of the planned 500 have been completed, and 194 remain unfinished.
It turns out that within 5 years, the school construction project was implemented by only 45%, and the kindergarten construction project by 61%. And this is when it was about one of the most important and most advertised programs of the government, which has also become one of the key propaganda theses in this pre-election period.
By the way, the government itself has indirectly accepted its own failure by planning the completion of the construction/repair works of many schools and kindergartens either before the end of 2026 or in 2027. And here a logical question arises. if the program was planned for 2021-2026, why should a significant part of it be completed? after the end of the activity of the given government, when a new government will be formed with its new program and priorities, and, why not, by another political force. In other words, the current government was actually not able to fulfill its pre-election and program commitments, and transferred their implementation to the future.
Moreover, the problem is not only in quantity. It is more remarkable what volume and quality of work was carried out in the case of the mentioned schools and kindergartens. The point is that, probably with the aim of propaganda and misleading the public, both Pashinyan and the responsible department have been drumming up the thesis “we are building a school” for years in the context of this project. However, representatives of the KP government and KP deputies professionally avoid the question of how many of these schools and kindergartens are actually built from scratch, so to speak.
Out of 135 completed schools, only 42 are newly built. The remaining 93 have been reconstructed, overhauled or repaired. The same picture is in the case of kindergartens. out of 306 completed objects, only 55 are newly built.
The most complex and most voluminous part of the construction of new facilities, namely: 146 of the 165 schools not yet completed and Construction of 115 kindergartens fell to at the end of 2026 and in 2027.
In other words, the government was able to carry out the repair works relatively quickly, but it failed the most complex and the most important, the construction of new educational infrastructures.
A very logical and undesirable question for the authorities arises. if the government was able to build only 42 schools and 55 kindergartens within 5 years, then how is it going to complete a much larger number of objects in a few months, which entail much more extensive construction work?
In fact, the failure of the “300 schools, 500 kindergartens” program is not a surprise discovery. In recent years, the performance reports of the state budget and Yerevan city budget, medium-term expenditure plans and other official documents have regularly recorded the low performance of school construction and kindergarten construction and major repair projects. In various periods, the expenses of the “Establishment, construction, improvement of public educational and pre-school institutions” project were under-executed by tens of billions of drams, and in some cases even less than a third of the planned expenses were implemented. And both experts and opposition politicians are vocal about it. However, the government chose to ignore those alarms.
The program “300 schools, 500 kindergartens” should have become a symbol of the success of Nikol Pashinyan’s administration, but instead it became a formula that best describes the management style of this government: high bar, loud announcements, large-scale propaganda and in the end, a long list of unfulfilled promises. It would be more honest to RA citizens to change the name of that program to “135 schools, 306 kindergartens”.
And we are not talking about the fact that information is repeatedly published about the defects, low-quality works and design problems recorded during the construction of schools and kindergartens. It is also needless to say that, in rare cases, the blame for deviations from the deadline and delays is always placed on a third party, but never on the government.
If the “300 schools, 500 kindergartens” program was really “going quite well”, why is Armenia still waiting for the promised 165 schools and 194 kindergartens in 2026?
The efficiency of the state administration is evaluated not by the promises made, but by their fulfillment. When one of the most important targets set by the government is not met within 5 years, and its implementation is actually postponed after the end of the project, it is no longer a construction or organizational problem, but a question of political responsibility.
—
The pre-election “gifts” of the West and TRIPP. Why are these the best in Armenia?
June: 4, 2026
On the eve of the parliamentary elections on June 7, Armenia has turned into the scene of an open geopolitical confrontation between the West and Russia. During this campaign, Moscow is especially tightening the political rhetoric day by day regarding Yerevan’s EU integration policy. Russia declares at different levels that “Armenia cannot dance at two weddings”. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk said today that it is necessary to see who will win the elections, and then only take measures and decide.
“Because if the pro-Western forces win, it means that Armenia is moving towards the European Union. And then it will be necessary to take appropriate measures,” he said. And Maria Zakharova claims that all this has nothing to do with the upcoming elections in Armenia. The Deputy Chairman of the Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, made it clear in a particularly tough style with his statements that “geopolitical betrayals” always have a heavy economic and security price.
Many people in Armenia believe that this political pressure of the Kremlin has a clear pre-election context. At the beginning of the campaign, the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, made a statement in which he literally stated: “We expect that the pro-Russian forces of Armenia will also actively participate in the elections and have the opportunity to present an alternative vision of the country’s development.” Shortly after this address on May 1st, the summit of the European political community took place in Armenia, after which the Russian side began to make harsh comments and the serious problems of exporting Armenian products, which was perceived as the use of economic leverage. Nevertheless, Moscow avoids burning the bridges for good. the other day, Putin called Pashinyan to congratulate him on his birthday, and later it became clear that there was a preliminary agreement to meet after the elections and discuss all issues. The authorities, as well as the West, circulate the topic of Russian pressures in the best way, showing consolidation around the RA authorities.
The collective West does not hide that it supports Pashinyan’s government in every issue. During the pre-election campaign, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s one-hour visit to Yerevan took place, which became the first chord of American support. Days after that, Rubio openly stated that “the Russians want Pashinyan to lose these elections.” Moreover, US President Donald Trump expressed his personal clear support to Pashinyan in a post on his social platform.
The RA-US TRIPP (Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity) framework agreement was also signed today. This document, which aims to create a new transport and energy route bypassing Russia and Iran, gives Washington a 74% controlling stake in the joint venture.
Along with the American side, the European Union also deployed its “anti-pressure” tools. During today’s phone conversation between Pashinyan and Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission called Moscow’s actions “unacceptable economic pressure”. As a quick response, Brussels announced an immediate support package, with which 50 million euros will be directed to the resilience of the Armenian agri-food sector. The EU, according to announcements, seems to be trying to solve the issue of the export of flowers blocked in the Russian market, it was announced that the first large batch of Armenian flowers will be sent to Latvia, showing that the Russian embargo can be overcome with European solidarity. However, everyone understands that these are cosmetic, situational steps that will not solve the created systemic problem, but will create the impression that the EU is solving the problem.
Thus, this lightning reaction by Brussels just three days before the elections – an immediate package of 50 million euros and the urgent opening of the Latvian market for Armenian flowers – can hardly be considered merely as an ordinary economic partnership. It is obvious that these are unique “pre-election gifts” presented by the European Union to Pashinyan’s government, which have a clear political goal. Brussels is trying to objectively show the Armenian voter that the European vector has quick, tangible and financially beneficial results, which directly serves to strengthen the positions of the existing government before the vote and increase the attractiveness of the Western orientation.
By showing that the possible loss of the Russian market can be instantly compensated by European financial injections and new logistics channels, the West is trying to ease the economic worries among the Armenian public. This is a clearly calculated step, aimed at ensuring that the citizens approaching the polling stations on June 7 vote not out of fear, but seeing the tangible and guaranteed alternative offered by the West, which further sharpens the geopolitical nature of the elections.
The hasty signing of the TRIPP agreement with Washington on the eve of the vote is exactly the same political move. All these geopolitical gestures become the psychological and economic counterweight that are meant to strengthen in the eyes of the Armenian voters the foreign policy line that the authorities are leading, and which is the most criticized sphere within RA.
These developments document that Armenia is standing on the threshold of the most geopoliticized elections in its history, which is clearly evidenced by the unprecedented and open involvement of major powers in the pre-election processes. Moscow’s direct admonitions and economic hints, as well as the lightning-fast financial and strategic “gifts” of Washington and Brussels prove that on June 7, they are trying to make the Armenian voter face an external election. The final decision-maker remains the citizen of Armenia. In this most geopolitical election, the Armenian voter should be guided not by agendas imposed from outside, but by his inner convictions.
—
Armenia offers subsidies to exporters amidst Russian restrictions
Editor’s note: The article has been updated to include EU official confirmation of the aid to Armenia.
The Armenian government has adopted a support programme for exporters of products meant for Russia in a bid to ‘diversify’ export markets. The move comes as Russian continues tightening its restrictions on Armenian imports ahead of the elections.
Announced on Thursday, the programme covers exporters of greenhouse-grown fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers, and will run for a one-month period, retroactively applied from 1 June, with a possibility of extension.
Under the scheme, exporters can receive government support for four products: ֏770 ($1.9) per kilogramme of strawberries, ֏275 ($0.69) per kilogramme of tomatoes, ֏400 ($1) per kilogramme of peppers, and ֏37 ($0.09) per flower.
These products, among others, have been restricted from import to Russia over alleged ‘violations’. Russia is the primary market of Armenian exports.
‘The consistent goal of the Ministry of Economy is to diversify markets, reduce dependence on a single market, and position Armenian products in the global market. In this context, there is a need to support Armenian economic operators in diversifying markets and forming new supply chains’, Deputy Economy Minister Arman Khojoyan said during a cabinet meeting.
He elaborated that Armenian authorities expect that within the framework of the programme, ‘more than 4,250 tonnes of vegetables and strawberries, as well as around 10 million flowers, will be exported during June’.
Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan, who chaired the meeting, said the measure is the first in a planned series of support programmes that will cover other fruits, wines, brandy, and mineral water exports — all products that are also under Russian restrictions.
In turn, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said discussions are ongoing with several countries to secure preferential import tariff regimes for certain Armenian goods, which he said would further support exporters.
According to RFE/RL, amidst the Russian restrictions, the EU is expected to allocate financial assistance to Yerevan.
According to Rikard Jozwiak, RFE/RL’s Europe editor, the EU Commission ‘announced €50 million ($58 million) in support of Armenia’ and ‘will import, to start with, 10,000 Armenia flowers that were blocked by Russia’.
On Thursday, EU Ambassador to Armenia Vassilis Maragos confirmed the upcoming announcement on EU assistance.
On Thursday afternoon, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the aid package in a phone call with Pashinyan, adding that the first batch of flowers would be exported to Latvia.
Earlier in June, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that shipments of roses and vegetables originally intended for the Russian market had already been redirected to alternative destinations, though he did not specify which countries had received them.
Since the 1 April meeting between Pashinyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and especially since mid-May, Russia has introduced near-daily restrictions on Armenian imports, citing alleged violations.
In addition to measures targeting alcoholic beverages, Jermuk mineral water, and fish products, the restrictions have affected Armenian fruit and vegetable exports at the peak of the export season. Some measures have targeted products not yet harvested, including apricots and grapes.
While Russia continues introducing new restrictions, Deputy Russian Prime Minister Aleksei Overchuk has claimed that Russia did not ‘introduce any restrictions for Armenian imports at all’, calling it a ‘usual normal work’.
Other Russian officials have said they would replace Armenian products in the Russian market with Azerbaijani goods, and called on Armenians to ‘save’ their country in the upcoming elections.
In turn, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said they hope that Yerevan’s choice ‘will be historically correct — in favour of strengthening the traditional, deep, brotherly relations with Russia’ — an apparent nod to Armenia’s potential shift towards the EU and away from Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
—
U.S.-Armenian Deal On ‘Trump Route’ Signed
Following their brief talks in Yerevan, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan have signed a bilateral framework agreement on practical modalities of opening a U.S.-administered transit corridor for Azerbaijan through Armenia.
The Armenian Foreign Ministry released on Thursday a short video of Mirzoyan putting his signature under the deal.
“Secretary of State Rubio signed the agreement [on Monday,] the document was sent to Armenia, and now I have signed it on behalf of the Armenian side,” said Mirzoyan. “With this, the remote signing process is complete, and the agreement is ready for ratification.”
Mirozyan and Rubio initialed the deal when they met at Yerevan’s Zvartnots international airport on May 26. The top U.S. diplomat described it on Tuesday as an “opportunity to revolutionize Armenia’s strategic location.”
“It solves the issue of access that Azerbaijan cared about and which was an irritant in the relationship, but it does much more than that,” he told the U.S. Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee. “It has the ability to transform the Armenian economy in a very powerful way.”
The agreement reaffirms the key terms of a joint “implementation framework” for the planned Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) signed by the two men in January. Those include the creation of a joint U.S.-Armenian venture that will manage for at least 49 years a railway, a road, energy supply lines and other infrastructure to be built along the Armenian-Iranian border to connect Azerbaijan to its Nakhichevan exclave.
The U.S. government will own 74 percent of the TRIPP Development Company (TDC). The Armenian side is to grant the company “exclusive land use rights, development rights, related permissions, and all other rights” necessary for the transit arrangement.
The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) formally approved support for the company’s creation on Wednesday. In a statement on the decision, it did not specify the amount of planned U.S. investments in the TRIPP infrastructures.
Rubio and Mirzoyan signed the deal just days before Armenia’s parliamentary elections. The three main opposition groups challenging the ruling Civil Contract say that the TRIPP could endanger Armenia’s vital border with Iran. Some of their leaders have also said that it amounts to the kind of an extraterritorial corridor that has been sought by Azerbaijan and Turkey.
Amid its continuing conflict with the United States and Israel, Iran likewise reaffirmed last week its opposition to the transit arrangement which it fears could lead to U.S. security presence along its border with Armenia.
“Tehran harbors severe suspicion toward the malicious intentions of the United States … and we have explicitly declared our opposition to such a destabilizing presence,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told the ISNA news agency.
—
Օսիպյանի գործը և ատելության խոսքը. ՄԻՊ-ը մատնանշում է արդարադատության խնդիրնե
Մարդու իրավունքների պաշտպան Անահիտ Մանասյանն անդրադարձել է հնչեղություն ստացած գործերին, այդ թվում՝ Արցախից տեղահանված Արթուր Օսիպյանի կալանավորմանը՝ մտահոգություն հայտնելով երկրում ատելության խոսքի տարածման ու ընտրովի արդարադատության խնդիրների վերաբերյալ։
The issue of protecting the rights of people who declared a hunger strike is under the direct control of the HRD staff. Anahit Manasyan փոխանցմամբ՝ Artur Osipyan immediately after the incident, his representatives visited “Nubarashen” prison, but the latter initially refused to have a private interview. Within the framework of the national prevention mechanism, the Human Rights Council continues to monitor the condition of all persons on hunger strike.
Manasyan emphasized that the hunger strike is considered as a person’s right, and it is possible to interfere with it only in exceptional cases, but the state is obliged to provide proper medical supervision. At the same time, it was clarified that meeting the political demands of the hunger strikers is beyond the scope of the powers of the HRD.
During the briefing, special attention was paid to the problem of aggressive rhetoric in the public sphere. The human rights defender noted that the use of insults and hate speech by the supporters of various political forces is widespread.
Manasyan warned against the inadmissibility of applying double standards to the law enforcement system, noting that similar behavior should lead to similar legal consequences, regardless of a person’s political views. He stressed that only the most dangerous types of speech should be brought to criminal responsibility.
Referring to the latest cases of violence against opposition supporters, the Ombudsman noted that proceedings have already been initiated based on these facts, the progress of which is being monitored. Manasyan reaffirmed his principled position that it is unacceptable to deprive someone of their freedom without reason.
Concluding the speech, he admitted that the impression of selective justice has been formed among the public, pointing to the investigation of the June 12 cases as a vivid example of a systemic problem, the efficiency and delays of which have already been severely criticized by the HRD.
—
New Novel Tells Inter-Generational Story of Resilience and Hope Despite Rooted
A new novel “First Rule of Fire” by Rebecca Gopoian was released in May by Nauset Press.
The book, an interwoven and multi-generational narrative, shows how history can never truly be erased, no matter how hard we try to deny or forget.
Partly based on real diaries, the book explores how one family builds hope and resilience from the roots of trauma.
The story begins with Jivan in Eastern Turkey, 1914, at the start of the Armenian Genocide, and follows the young teen through years of upheaval as the life he knows falls apart.
The second thread depicts a day in the life of Araxie, Jivan’s future wife, a new mother grateful to have made it to America, eager to love and be loved, but haunted by her past.
Lastly, there is Miriam, the half-Armenian, half-Jewish future grandchild of Jivan and Araxie, stumbling into puberty and attempting to navigate middle school in 1980s New Jersey, while her family’s unspoken history lingers.
At times dark and painful, the novel also portrays the hopeful and awkward moments of life, whether in the midst of war or the relative safety of American suburbia – having a crush, being fourteen, searching for your place, and finding your way.
Author of “When Our Fathers Return to Us as Birds” Peter Markus praises the novel, “The prose in this novel dazzles and sings with a lyrical clarity all its own. The story itself and its inter-weaving between how the past lives on into the future is as compelling as you’re likely to find. On all levels—the writing, the characters, the sequence of interrelated events—this is a book hard to put down, a book that had to be written.”
Aida Zilelian, author of “All the Ways We Lied” writes, “Sweeping across timelines, ‘First Rule of Fire’ sends us on a voyage of memory, loss and innocence. The short chapters seem to burst from one moment to the next with tenderness, pain and warmth. ‘First Rule of Fire’ tells us that no matter our past, the love of family can mend what has been lost.”
Ben Nadler, author of “Prairie Ashes” also praises the novel, “Gopoian masterfully balances past and present as she explores intergenerational trauma—and healing—in an Armenian diaspora family. ‘First Rule of Fire’ is a bold assertion of life in the face of a violent history.”
Rebecca Gopoian received her MFA in Writing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She is the author of a poetry chapbook, Terrible Person, and a book-length poem, Two, about becoming a mother for the second time. Rebecca lives in Queens and teaches English at Hostos Community College in the Bronx. First Rule of Fire is her first novel.
—
AUA Celebrates the Legacy of Late President Dr. Haroutune K. Armenian
YEREVAN — With heartfelt memories, personal stories, and a deep sense of gratitude, the American University of Armenia community gathered on June 3 to celebrate the life and enduring legacy of late AUA President Dr. Haroutune K. Armenian. A luminary leader, renowned public health expert, and beloved educator, Dr. Armenian dedicated more than a decade of service to the University, helping shape AUA into the institution it is today.
Dr. Armenian’s roles and impact included program development at the Ministry of Health in Bahrain, dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the American University of Beirut, director of the Master of Public Health program at Johns Hopkins University, and dean of the School of Public Health (now Turpanjian College of Health Sciences) at AUA.
He received numerous prestigious awards, including the Ernest Lyman Stebbins Medal for Excellence in Education, the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and the AUA Presidential Commendation Award which recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to advancing education, research, and outreach with a significant impact on Armenia.
The event was attended by Chair of the AUA Board of Trustees Zaven P. Akian, AUA co-founder and President Emeritus Dr. Armen Der Kiureghian, the AUA Executive Team, AUA Board members, Turpanjian Rural Development Program beneficiaries, distinguished guests, Dr. Armenian’s family, friends, colleagues, and community members who gathered to pay tribute to his extraordinary life and legacy.
The event commenced with a documentary film, titled “Architect of Change,” showcasing Dr. Armenian’s advocacy, legacy, and significant impact not only on AUA, but also across Armenia. Dr. Armenian was a remarkable person and an innovator who contributed to pioneering academic programs, advancing AUA’s research, and leading the University toward accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (now WASC Senior College and University Commission).
Through his initiative, AUA built modern facilities, welcomed its first cohort of international students, and established programs such as the Digital library of Classical Armenian Literature, and TRDP.
Following the film screening, AUA President Dr. Bruce Boghosian made opening remarks, recognizing Dr. Armenian’s influence and long-lasting mark he left on AUA and beyond. “A visionary educator, physician, and public health expert, Dr. Armenian was a strong proponent of education, community development, and meaningful social change,” he said. “Today, we celebrate Dr. Armenian’s enduring contributions, his achievements, and the profound impact that he has had in Armenia. His legacy will forever be remembered within these walls and beyond,” he added.
Following the President’s remarks, Dr. Varduhi Petrosyan, dean of the Gerald and Patricia Turpanjian College of Health Sciences, shared an emotional and heartfelt presentation of Dr. Armenian’s life, passions, and devotion to education. “He was a dedicated painter, and he noticed beauty and colors where many of us didn’t see or notice. He transferred them to paper and shared them with us to enjoy the same beauty,” she said. “Dr. Armenian’s entire life was about cultivating a culture of learning. He strongly believed in continuous quality improvement and found important parallels in quality in healthcare and education.”
Hratchia Lylozian (MPH ’16), TCHS research associate, spoke about Dr. Armenian’s character as an educator, and how devoted he was to his family, students, country, and profession. In addition, Artur Lalayan, TRDP program representative, recalled Dr. Armenian’s beliefs on rural development, emphasizing that Dr. Armenian saw it as an investment in human potential.
Chair of the AUA Board of Trustees Zaven P. Akian shared his memories of Dr. Armenian while they were studying and how he has left an everlasting mark on the University. “His legacy is woven into the story of AUA forever, and his example will continue to guide this institution for generations to come,” he said.
Dr. Armenian’s son Dr. Saro Armenian reflected on his father’s legacy. “He was our compass and a source of profound wisdom and strength. He believed deeply that Armenians everywhere had a responsibility not only to preserve identity and memory, but to build institutions, create opportunity, and contribute meaningfully to society,” he remarked.
The event also featured a touching performance by The Gurdjieff Ensemble, internationally known as a leading ensemble in Armenian traditional and sacred music. The ensemble is led by artistic director Levon Eskenian, who was a recipient of an AUA Turpanjian Family Foundation Scholarship during his studies in Armenia, an opportunity made possible through Dr. Armenian’s support.
The evening concluded with a reception at the Faculty Lounge, where some of Dr. Armenian’s paintings are on display.
Dr. Armenian’s work and unwavering commitment to AUA, and the people he mentored and supported will continue to live on and make a difference.
Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.
—
Pashinyan is trying to hide the decline of internal legitimacy with external legitimacy
June: 4, 2026
About a week ago, US President Trump expressed his support for Nikol Pashinyan in a note, considering him a leader who “brings peace to Armenia”.
In February, when US Vice President Vance visited Armenia, he also openly expressed his support for Nikol Pashinyan, taking into account the upcoming parliamentary elections on June 7.
Political scientist Vazgen Hovhannisyan In short, it is difficult to say whether such encouraging words can secure votes for Nikol Pashinyan in the elections or not, because there is no indicator.
“Trump’s and Macron’s open support for Pashinyan, as well as the US Secretary of State’s visit to Armenia, if we analyze it politely, then all this is called a veil of external legitimacy. This is an accepted formula, especially in countries where there is a decline in internal legitimacy.
I think that after the elections, even if Nikol Pashinyan is re-elected, his internal legitimacy will fall, at the expense of which he is now trying to provide a veil of external legitimacy.” of 168.am said Vazgen Hovhannisyan in a conversation with
According to him, at the moment, for Nikol Pashinyan, it is not Armenian-American or Armenian-Russian relations that are important, but which external actors support him more to ensure the external component of legitimacy.
“I don’t think that Marco Rubio, who visited Armenia on May 26 and spoke at the US Congress, did not even say Nikol Pashinyan’s position correctly, he considered him the president of Armenia. In other words, the US Secretary of State does not even know that Armenia is a parliamentary government country. The high-ranking US official came to Armenia for 40 minutes on May 26, he did not even leave the airport, he came only to sign 3 memorandums,” the political scientist added.
According to him, these signed memoranda cannot be of strategic importance, they do not provide a certain legal basis for the cooperation of the states. A certain legal contract base is provided by clear contracts obtained as a result of long negotiations, which provide a chain of actions point by point.
“Furthermore, the addressee of all this was not Armenia, but Russia, we clearly see that the United States and Western countries support Nikol Pashinyan. This is logical, this is the formula for the struggle of various external power centers,” said Vazgen Hovhannisyan.
—