Category: News

Pointing to the potential benefits and risks of either decision, Parliament Speaker Ruben Rubinyan (Civil Contract) cautioned on Tuesday against drawing premature conclusions about whether Armenia’s authorities should have warned residents in advance about the possible presence of an Azerbaijani serviceman after being notified of his possible border crossing, which subsequently resulted in a woman being shot in her home in Shaki settlement.

Speaking to journalists, Rubinyan said the actions of Armenia’s authorities in connection with the incident, including the advisability of warning the population in advance, can be discussed.

He said that when making such decisions, it is necessary to assess their potential benefits and harms.

He was responding to a question about why residents had not been warned in advance about the possible presence of the Azerbaijani serviceman on Armenian territory, after Armenian authorities had been notified by Azerbaijani security services that a deserter from the Azerbaijani army could have crossed into Armenia.

“It is also possible to discuss the issue from a strategic and tactical perspective. Is warning the population in such cases useful or not? What causes more harm, and what is the benefit? For example, it may be that you know there is a chance that the serviceman is in your territory, but he may also not be in your territory. In that case, you might inform the population, and as a result, residents might accidentally shoot at each other because everyone thinks there is a serviceman in the area. And there are a thousand things like this that the competent authorities need to discuss and make a decision on. And I am sure that, looking back, there will be relevant processes, and they will understand whether it was done correctly or incorrectly, well or badly,” Rubinyan said.

The Parliament Speaker also addressed the circumstances under which the serviceman appeared on Armenian territory.

According to Rubinyan, the Azerbaijani side’s prior notification provides grounds to conclude that the incident was not sabotage.

“In this case as well, it still needs to be established under what circumstances this serviceman appeared on Armenian territory, that is, whether he is a deserter or just got lost. I assume that he is a deserter. But it is obvious that we are not dealing with sabotage, because if we were dealing with sabotage, the Azerbaijani side would not have informed the Armenian side in advance. Therefore, the good news is that we are not dealing with a deliberate incursion instigated by Azerbaijan,” he said.

Rubinyan described the home intrusion and shooting of the resident as a crime, emphasizing that the serviceman was arrested and charged.

According to him, the subsequent proceedings should be handled by the justice authorities.

Addressing opposition criticism regarding the incident’s impact on the peace process, the Parliament Speaker insisted that, in this case, the actor was an individual who committed a crime.

He also accused his opposition colleagues of exploiting the incident to criticize the authorities’ position on peace.

Armenia’s National Security Service said last Thursday that it had been notified by Azerbaijani authorities earlier, on September 29, that an Azerbaijani serviceman had allegedly gone AWOL and was missing. The Azerbaijani side did not rule out that he could have crossed into Armenia. Armenia and Azerbaijan conducted a search operation. Later, on October 1, Armenian emergency services received a report that an Armenian citizen, a 39-year-old woman, had been shot in the leg at her home in the Shaki settlement in Syunik Province. Authorities determined that the Azerbaijani serviceman was the shooter, and he was apprehended shortly afterward in Shaki and detained.

Meanwhile, health authorities said earlier last week that the woman was in non-life-threatening condition and was receiving the required treatment. She was transferred to Yerevan after being initially hospitalized in Sisian. The Sisian Medical Center reported that the injured Armenian citizen’s children, who were with their mother during the incident, aged 15 and 12, had sought medical assistance for bodily injuries. The 12-year-old child had a soft-tissue contusion, while the 15-year-old child had a fracture of the right wrist. Health authorities said Friday that the children were in satisfactory condition.

The Azerbaijani serviceman faces charges of illegally crossing Armenia’s state border, smuggling military-use products, firearms and ammunition, illegally trafficking in firearms and ammunition, illegally entering another person’s residence against their will, and causing grievous bodily harm under aggravating circumstances, including with a firearm.

Armenia has been validated by the European Technical Advisory Group of Experts (ETAGE) as a country that has reached the regional targets for hepatitis B control through immunization.

ETAGE is a body of 6–8 immunization experts appointed by the WHO Regional Director for Europe. This group is tasked with providing independent review and expert technical input to WHO/Europe’s vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization programme (VPI), with the goal of facilitating and accelerating achievements in relation to European Immunization Agenda 2030, including eradication, elimination and control of vaccine-preventable diseases in the WHO European Region.

In connection with this achievement, an official certificate was presented to Armenia at the initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office in Armenia.

Within the framework of the assessment conducted by the World Health Organization, key factors included high vaccination coverage against hepatitis B, prevention of perinatal transmission, and ensuring a low prevalence of HBsAg among vaccinated groups.

The achievement is an important step in Armenia’s immunization and hepatitis B prevention efforts and reflects the results of the consistent policies and measures implemented by the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Ministry of Health.

Minister of Health of the Republic of Armenia Anahit Avanesyan, welcoming those present at the ceremony, said that the certificate is a major achievement and testifies that the national immunization program is working and is already producing results.

“Our children are free from acute hepatitis B and this very severe chronic disease. This is first and foremost a health issue, but it is also an economic issue. Every month, a person living with chronic hepatitis B spends 30,000-40,000 drams just on medication. Imagine what a huge burden this is for each person and family, as well as for the state. By investing in the health of our children, we are keeping them free from this disease and the costs associated with it in the future. I think this is a very significant result, and I congratulate and thank the entire healthcare system, our healthcare workers, healthcare organizers and the Ministry for this achievement,” the minister said.

Avanesyan said that achieving good results does not mean stopping; it is necessary to move forward and set new targets.

“Of course, this is an occasion to look back and see that our policies and efforts are producing results, and to move forward with the aim of embracing even greater targets. We are also now discussing the issue of providing medicines for the management of chronic hepatitis B, because it is very important that our patients are also protected in terms of their ongoing treatment. First of all, we plan to consider including pregnant women in this program, and later expanding it as well. But we must continue the very important work of vaccination and the overall immunization program. These achievements can be very easily lost; we must preserve them and improve them even further,” the minister said.

Dr. Roberta Pastore, Lead for Immunization Programme Strengthening at the WHO Regional Office for Europe, emphasized that she was happy to be in Armenia and to represent the WHO Regional Office for Europe, noting that Armenia has achieved the hepatitis B control targets through vaccination.

According to her, in 2015, within the framework of the European Vaccine Action Plan, the WHO Regional Office for Europe declared hepatitis B control a priority. It continues to remain a goal within the European Immunization Agenda 2030, as well as within regional action plans for the elimination of viral hepatitis.

“The achievement of the hepatitis B control targets is confirmed through a rigorous assessment process, within which vaccination coverage indicators and the prevalence of hepatitis B are studied. Armenia has undertaken all the necessary steps to collect evidence confirming the achievement of the hepatitis B control targets. The validation process in Armenia confirmed that over the past two decades, the country’s efforts have been successful in introducing universal hepatitis B vaccination among newborns and children and ensuring high vaccination coverage,” Pastore said.

According to her, this proves that Armenia has not only reached its hepatitis B control target, but has gone beyond it, moving closer to the goal of eliminating the disease.

“I would like to congratulate you on this achievement, which makes Armenia one of 11 validated countries. Thanks to your commitment to and investment in vaccination over the past two decades, you have been able to create a generation of children and adolescents who will grow up to be healthier adults. They will be free from hepatitis B infection and its severe and fatal consequences,” she said.

Dr. Stepan Atoyan, Director General of the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia, speaking about the path to achieving the target, noted that this is not only a summary of the work done over the past years, but also a journey based on consistent state and healthcare policies, the dedicated work of healthcare professionals and the support of international partners.

“We know that hepatitis B vaccination was introduced into the national immunization schedule about 30 years ago and, like any newly introduced vaccine, went through its subsequent stages: first rejection, then partial acceptance, and finally acceptance. As a result, we now have the picture that was mentioned by our colleague. Social studies that have been conducted also attest to this success. Acute hepatitis B is no longer being recorded among children, which speaks to the success of the vaccination process. At the same time, I would like to note that this certificate is, of course, very binding, because, as Ms. Avanesyan mentioned in her remarks, last year we recorded a fairly high rate among children under one year of age, and we are obliged to maintain this high rate and, naturally, preserve it,” Atoyan said.

He also thanked the minister for her personal participation in the digitalization process, as the digitalization of healthcare services greatly contributes to the immunization process, as well as to epidemiological surveillance and disease control.

Eduard Hakobyan, Chairman of the State Revenue Committee (SRC), met with British Ambassador to Armenia Alexandra Cole and representatives of the World Bank mission.

The State Revenue Committee said in a press release that the meeting reviewed the cooperation established between the State Revenue Committee and the World Bank and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The results recorded within the framework of joint work were summarized, and the priorities for the next phase of the ongoing transformation of tax and customs administration in Armenia were discussed.

As part of the meeting, a panel discussion titled “From Reforms to Results: Cooperation and Priorities for the Next Phase of Tax and Customs Administration Transformation” was also held, attended by Chairman Hakobyan, Fabrizio Zarcone, World Bank Country Manager for Armenia, and Ambassador Cole.

During the panel discussion, SRC Chairman Eduard Hakobyan addressed the significance of cooperation with the World Bank and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, presenting the significant achievements within this framework in terms of improving tax and customs administration.

Addressing the impact of the reforms being implemented, the SRC Chairman noted that the simplification of processes, increased transparency, and more effective use of data are creating new opportunities for taxpayers and participants in foreign economic activity. “The cooperation is not limited to any individual program or initiative, but is aimed at laying the foundations for the next phase of the Committee’s development. The support of international partners makes it possible to turn ideas into practical solutions. This cooperation is fully in line with the SRC’s vision of creating a modern, efficient and transparent institution that, on the one hand, will ensure effective revenue administration for the state and, on the other hand, will create a clear, fair and business-friendly environment for taxpayers,” Eduard Hakobyan emphasized.

Ambassador Alexandra Cole also emphasized the importance of an effective tax and customs system: “The existence of a strong, transparent, efficient system based on clear rules makes business processes much easier, and that is precisely why we support this process. The results achieved provide a solid foundation for continuing and deepening the long-term partnership.”

Fabrizio Zarcone highly valued the cooperation: “I am truly grateful to the SRC for the work and the journey that we are undertaking together. This is not just a short-term technical assistance program, but also a long journey that the United Kingdom has decided to undertake together with the SRC and the World Bank.”

The panel discussion also addressed the priorities for the next phase of tax and customs administration transformation in the context of Armenia’s new opportunities for regional integration and connectivity. The participants reaffirmed their readiness to continue effective cooperation in the areas of modernizing tax and customs administration, developing institutional capacities, introducing international best practices, and enhancing Armenia’s economic resilience and competitiveness.

Following the panel discussion, the implementation progress and next steps of the Fourth Public Sector Modernization Program (PSMP-4) were also discussed separately with representatives of the World Bank.

Armenia has seen significant improvements in the early detection of breast cancer in recent years, with the share of cases diagnosed at Stage 4 declining from 40% in 2018 to 13% in 2025–2026.

Healthcare professionals held a press conference on Tuesday as October is observed worldwide as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Dr. Haykuhi Geokchyan, oncology consultant at the Ministry of Health of Armenia, said that while in 2018, 40% of detected cases were diagnosed at Stage 4, the trend in 2025–2026 shows that the rate of Stage 4 disease has declined to 13%. The specialist attributes this to effective government policy, improvements in the quality of treatment, and greater public awareness.

“First, government programs have improved the quality of treatment, while medical services have also become accessible to a broader range of women. Surgeries have become free of charge, 24 radiation therapy sessions are free of charge, and chemotherapy and other targeted medicines, which were previously considered inaccessible, have become available thanks to the government policy implemented since 2020. In addition, any cancer patient can obtain medicines worth up to 1.2 million drams per year under a government-funded insurance program. These are important changes that help patients respond in a timely manner, undergo treatment, and not be left alone with their disease,” Dr. Geokchyan said.

According to Dr. Artur Avetisyan, Deputy Director for Laboratory-Diagnostic Services and Mid-Level and Junior Medical Staff at the V. A. Fanarjyan National Center of Oncology, more than 1,600 new cases of breast cancer are detected annually in Armenia.

“Yes, the figure is high, but we can clearly say that the rate of disease detection has increased. This is facilitated by measures implemented by the government, screening programs, as well as a change in society’s attitude. Years ago, there were many cases when a patient had noticed the problem but there was no pain or other troubling factor, so she did not see a doctor. Now there are many cases when people go for examinations without any complaints,” Dr. Avetisyan said.

Statistical data show that society’s attitude has changed, with many people recognizing the importance of preventive measures and undergoing regular examinations. However, according to the specialist, the current trend is still not at the desired level. “There is still a lot of work to be done to involve a large number of women in screening programs that offer free examinations,” Dr. Avetisyan added.

Dr. Haykuhi Geokchyan also said that the government is implementing three screening programs related to cervical, colorectal and breast cancer. Within the framework of universal health insurance, all women aged 45–68 can undergo free examinations. In this case, there is no need even to visit a therapist. They register at their preferred medical institution through the ArmMed system and go for the examination.

The Ministry of Health of Armenia has purchased 10 mammography machines, which will be installed at medical institutions in the regions and will soon become available.

Armenia’s Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Davit Khudatyan discussed with officials in charge of the country’s road infrastructure the progress of road construction, repair and maintenance works being carried out in various regions of the country, as well as ways to improve their efficiency.

During the meeting with representatives of the Road Department, a government agency overseeing the country’s road infrastructure, the ongoing capital and medium repair programs were discussed in detail, along with the progress of the North-South project, the ministry said in a readout.

Particular attention was paid to establishing strict oversight over the quality of construction works and ensuring strict compliance with set deadlines.

The Minister gave specific instructions on coordinating the works, responding promptly to existing problems, and consistently implementing ongoing strategic programs.

YEREVAN, 6 OCTOBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 6 October, USD exchange rate up by 0.33 drams to 362.14 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 1.89 drams to 407.19 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.0261 drams to 4.241 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 1.27 drams to 479.69 drams.

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

Gold price down by 519 drams to 48222 drams. Silver price up by 9.73 drams to 719.72 drams.

Students at Yerevan State University’s Faculty of Journalism met with RFI Director Jean-Marc Four and representatives of the editorial team of RFI’s Armenian-language service, which is bringing new opportunities for Armenian students.

During the meeting, the RFI director presented the platform and its opportunities to the students, noting that each of them could become a journalist for the Armenian-language service.

“We are currently trying to develop our activities at Yerevan State University in two directions. The first is to explain our activities, what we are planning to do and what kind of news coverage we are trying to provide. The second goal is that today, being at Yerevan State University’s Faculty of Journalism, we want to present students with the idea of independent journalism. And if they want to work with us, we will be very happy. The RFI Armenian-language service is new. Some of its journalists are based in France and some in Armenia. We have been working in Armenian for four months, but we already have significant progress, with around 5 million views,” Jean-Marc Four said.

He noted that RFI now offers 100% digital news content in Armenian adapted to social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube), with the aim of informing people about and telling stories about Armenia through young people and for young people who actively use digital platforms and are heavily exposed to disinformation.

“The RFI Armenian-language service offers entertainment, interactive and educational videos and formats, including explanatory materials, stories, fact-checking, digital polls, infographics, street interviews and more. Through these formats, it covers current events in Armenia, as well as important regional, European and international topics.

The RFI Armenian-language editorial team relies on a network of correspondents based in Armenia, particularly in Yerevan, as well as cooperation with local partners. Through independent, verified and locally gathered information, the RFI Armenian-language service contributes to the fight against information manipulation,” Jean-Marc Four said.

Anahit Menemshyan, Deputy Dean and Head of the Office at YSU’s Faculty of Journalism, noted that the proposal to meet with the students came from RFI. As part of the meeting, in addition to presenting the platform, Astrig Agopian, Editor-in-Chief of RFI’s Armenian-language service, and journalist Mariam Tovmasyan gave a lecture to the students on “How Journalists Work in the Era of 100% Digital Media.”

“We are always happy to agree to any international cooperation. We organized this meeting, and today our students have the opportunity to hear how this important French international media group views the digital era, get to know them, learn about their activities and, why not, have the opportunity to work as correspondents for the Armenian-language service,” Menemshyan said.

In addition to French, RFI provides content in 17 languages, including Armenian. The RFI Armenian-language service operates as part of the Information Shield project, initiated by France Médias Monde and Deutsche Welle and supported by the European Union.

The editorial team also draws on the expertise of France Médias Monde teams specializing in fact-checking and digital investigations, particularly RFI’s “InfoVérif” team and France 24’s “Les Observateurs” program.

Armenia’s 2026 State Award for Global Contribution in High Technology will be presented to Iranian-American Kam Ghaffarian, founder and executive chairman of X-energy, Intuitive Machines, Space and Quantum Space.

Hovik Musayelyan, Director of Synopsys Armenia and coordinator of the work of the award committee’s executive board and international selection committee, announced the laureate’s name at a press conference held at Engineering City on 6 October.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will present the award to Ghaffarian on 5 November. Among other events, the laureate will receive an honorary doctorate from the National Polytechnic University of Armenia. A symbolic star bearing his name will be installed at Engineering City.

Introducing Ghaffarian, Musayelyan said he had founded several companies transforming the space and energy sectors. He chairs the board of X-energy, which develops nuclear energy solutions, including for use in spacecraft propulsion systems. Musayelyan said Ghaffarian was also an active philanthropist and the founder of a non-profit organisation dedicated to scientific research and developing the possibilities for interstellar travel.

Minister of High-Tech Industry and Artificial Intelligence Davit Tadevosyan stressed the importance of the award ceremony, saying it ensured and increased Armenia’s visibility in the international technology sector.

“It very naturally reinforces and confirms our conviction that Armenia is both a country that produces and exports technologies and a part of the global technology agenda. Another extremely important purpose of the award ceremony and the resulting visits by distinguished laureates is to give young people an opportunity to meet truly legendary figures,” the minister said.

Tadevosyan announced that Armenia’s space programme had already been approved. Unless exceptional events disrupted the plans, the first satellite launch would take place in late 2028 or early 2029. He said cooperation with Ghaffarian within the space programme was not yet on the agenda, but did not rule out discussing the possibility during the forthcoming meetings. He stressed that the award recognised the laureates’ work and professional achievements and had no commercial component.

Armen Avetisyan, General Director of Viva, the award ceremony’s main partner, said that behind every great achievement was a person who had once believed in themselves, their abilities and their idea and, most importantly, had had the courage to take the first step. Avetisyan hoped the event would inspire innovators, scientists and people with bold ideas in Armenia, encouraging them to believe in their abilities and see Armenia as a country where their talent was in demand, their ideas had value and a great journey could begin here and now.

“This is precisely why Viva has supported this award ceremony for 17 years, bringing Armenia together with people who push the boundaries of what is possible. For us, connection takes on a special meaning when we can take part in events that bring talent and opportunity together, and unite confidence with inspiration and action,” Avetisyan said.

Musayelyan also admitted that speaking about the award ceremony’s purpose and substance at press conferences always moved him deeply. When the idea of holding such an award ceremony in Armenia emerged at Synopsys Armenia in 2009, almost no one believed it could be achieved.

“They did not believe it because there was no precedent anywhere in the world for organising an annual award ceremony of this kind in the sector and honouring global legends. We are proud that such an award ceremony was established here in Armenia,” he said.

Musayelyan explained that Bill Gates had originally been intended as the first laureate, but the initiative had not succeeded. The first award was presented in 2010 to American Craig Barrett, Chairman of Intel Corporation.

In the years since, the award has been presented to leading figures in high technology. In 2011, it went to Steve Wozniak of the United States, co-founder of Apple Computer, now Apple Inc. On receiving the award, he declared to the world that, since no Nobel Prize was awarded in IT, he considered this award its equivalent.

The 2012 laureate was Italian-American Federico Faggin, a member of the team that created the Intel 4004, the world’s first single-chip microprocessor. In 2013, the award went to Tsugio Makimoto of Japan, a long-serving chief executive at Hitachi Ltd.

In 2014, it was presented to American Mario Mazzola, Chief Technology Officer of Cisco Systems. At the press conference itself, he announced a donation of $1 million to the American University of Armenia. Interest earned on the funds now supports scholarships at the university.

In 2015, the award went to Eugene Kaspersky of Russia, co-founder and CEO of the international company Kaspersky Lab. The 2016 laureate was Louis Pouzin of France, one of the founding fathers of the internet. In 2017, it was presented to Tony Fadell of the United States, co-creator of the iPod and iPhone.

The 2018 recipient was James Truchard of the United States, President of National Instruments. In 2019, the award went to Takeo Kanade of Japan, one of the founders of robotics, followed in 2020 by Chinese-American Chi-Foon Chan, co-founder of Synopsys Inc.

In 2021, the award was presented to Leon Stok of the Netherlands and the United States, Senior Vice President of IBM. The 2022 laureate was Shantanu Narayen of India and the United States, Chairman of Adobe Inc., while the 2023 recipient was Narayana Murthy, a legendary figure in India’s IT sector.

In 2024, the award went to Yoshiaki Hagiwara of Japan, an inventor of sensor technologies. The 2025 laureate was Vincent Roche of Ireland, Chairman of Analog Devices.