Category: News

The newly appointed Ambassador of Portugal to Armenia, Sara Feronha Martins, presented copies of her credentials to Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Mnatsakan Safaryan.

Deputy Foreign Minister Safaryan congratulated Ambassador Martins on the commencement of her diplomatic mission and wished her every success during her tenure, the ministry said in a readout of the meeting.

He expressed confidence that Armenia–Portugal relations would continue to strengthen during her tenure, contributing to the expansion and development of mutually beneficial cooperation.

The sides exchanged views on a number of issues on the bilateral agenda, underscoring the importance of enhancing trade and economic cooperation. In this context, they also discussed prospects for expanding the presence of Armenian products in European markets and exploring new opportunities.

During the meeting, the sides also touched upon current issues on the regional and international agenda.

The Ministry of Defense proposes expanding opportunities for certain military personnel to enroll in higher military education programs by raising the maximum admission age limit to 45.

The proposal is part of a bill authored by the Ministry of Defense and submitted for public discussion.

The bill aims to update the admission procedures for military educational institutions and introduce changes related to access to higher military education programs.

Under the proposed amendments, the maximum age limit for battalion, division, and squadron commanders, as well as their deputies, to participate in admissions for higher military education programs would be increased from 37 to 45 years. The age limit for another category of applicants, currently set at 40 years, would also be raised to 45.

According to the Ministry’s justification, the changes are intended to support the development of professional armed forces and the advancement of military education. The new regulations would allow service members holding relevant positions to pursue military education programs at a later stage in their careers.

The bill also seeks to align the admission procedures of military educational institutions with Armenia’s 2025 “Law on Higher Education and Science.”

Some programs would also include tactical and strategic qualifications.

The Internal Security Attaché for the South Caucasus of the French Republic, stationed in Tbilisi, Olivier Lefebvre, has been awarded a medal by Armenia’s Minister of Internal Affairs for his contribution to the development and strengthening of cooperation between the interior ministries of Armenia and France, as well as for supporting joint programs, the ministry said.

The award, bestowed by order of Armenia’s Minister of Internal Affairs Arpine Sargsyan, was presented to the French official by Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Armen Ghazaryan.

Ghazaryan praised Olivier Lefebvre’s contribution to enhancing the partnership between the two countries, highlighting the consistent support he provided in implementing various initiatives.

Olivier Lefebvre thanked the ministry for the recognition and expressed his willingness to continue joint efforts to advance friendly relations.

The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 31 July, USD exchange rate down by 0.43 drams to 366.2 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 0.46 drams to 421.13 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.0345 drams to 4.6065 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 1.15 drams to 492.25 drams.

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

Gold price up by 1242 drams to 48402 drams. Silver price up by 6.98 drams to 683.52 drams.

The governments of Armenia and Montenegro signed an agreement on cooperation in the fields of education, science and innovation on July 31.

The agreement was signed by Armenian Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan and Montenegro’s Minister of Education, Science and Innovation Anđela Jakšić-Stojanović. Armenian Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Artur Martirosyan also attended the meeting.

According to a statement issued by Armenia’s Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, the document provides for the exchange of experience, implementation of the principles of the Bologna Process, encouragement of initiatives contributing to the development of the European Higher Education Area, and expanded cooperation on modernising the two countries’ national education systems.

The sides agreed to promote cooperation between educational, scientific and innovation institutions, develop academic mobility and expand joint participation in international education and research programmes.

Welcoming Jakšić-Stojanović, Andreasyan stressed the importance of developing bilateral cooperation, noting that the agreement creates a strong institutional foundation for a long-term partnership.

It was noted that Armenia and Montenegro have all the necessary conditions to establish practical and results-oriented cooperation by developing direct links between universities, scientific organisations and young researchers.

According to Andreasyan, the agreement will create new opportunities for students, lecturers, scientists and researchers from both countries, promoting knowledge exchange and the further development of cooperation.

During the meeting, Andreasyan presented the main directions of Armenia’s education reforms, including the state programme for the development of education through 2030, the digital transformation of education, infrastructure and school construction programmes, and the introduction of artificial intelligence into the education system.

She highlighted the AI Generation and STEP.AI education programmes implemented in upper secondary schools, as well as the multi-level AI Generation initiative aimed at training artificial intelligence specialists from school through postgraduate education.

In this context, Andreasyan said that, through cooperation between the ministry and OpenAI, the ChatGPT Edu tool will become available to Armenia’s education community from September, providing around 50,000 subscriptions for students, lecturers and researchers.

Referring to the Academic City project, the minister said it aims to establish an education, research and innovation environment meeting international standards, bringing higher education, science and innovation together on a single platform.

It was also emphasised that Armenia is interested in expanding cooperation with international partners, including Montenegro, within the framework of the project.

Jakšić-Stojanović thanked the Armenian side for the reception and stressed the importance of deepening cooperation with Armenia.

The meeting also addressed Armenia’s successful experience in non-formal education. Jakšić-Stojanović expressed interest in the possibility of introducing the TUMO Centre for Creative Technologies model in Montenegro.

In response, Andreasyan noted that TUMO’s education programme is already operating successfully in several countries and continues to expand internationally. She expressed Armenia’s readiness to support the exchange of experience.

The Armenian and Montenegrin ministers also discussed opportunities to implement joint education and research programmes, expand the mobility of students, lecturers and young researchers, develop cooperation in vocational education and training (VET), and broaden cooperation within Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe.

President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan has received Vartkes Mahdessian, the representative of the Armenian community in the House of Representatives of Cyprus, and presented him with the State Award of the Republic of Armenia – the Medal of Gratitude.

“Welcoming Vartkes Mahdessian, President Vahagn Khachaturyan congratulated him, highly commended his pro-Armenian activities and his contribution to strengthening Armenia-Cyprus relations, and wished him continued success,” the Office of the President of the Republic of Armenia said in a statement.

In 2021, on the occasion of Armenia’s Independence Day, a decision was made to award Mahdessian the Medal of Gratitude in recognition of his contribution to strengthening Armenia-Diaspora ties, preserving Armenian identity, and supporting the defence and security of the homeland.

Armenia’s National Assembly has released a video presenting statistics on the work of the 8th convocation of parliament.

Over the past five years, parliament has adopted thousands of decisions, held discussions and meetings, and launched numerous initiatives.

A working meeting chaired by Tsovinar Tadevosyan, head of Armenia’s Penitentiary Service, was held on July 31 with staff members of the National Preventive Mechanism unit of the Human Rights Defender’s Office.

According to the Penitentiary Service, the meeting was attended by Deputy Head of the Service Vahe Nanushyan, Chief of Staff Rafael Harutyunyan, Head of the Department for Social, Psychological and Legal Affairs Tsoghik Aleksanyan, Head of Abovyan Penitentiary Hegine Martirosyan, and acting Head of Artik Penitentiary Karo Manukyan.

Laura Gasparyan, coordinator for the implementation of the National Preventive Mechanism at the Human Rights Defender’s Office and Head of the Department for the Prevention of Torture and Ill-Treatment, addressed issues related to detention conditions, sanitary and hygiene standards, the protection of inmates’ rights, food provision, and medical care and services at the two penitentiaries.

The parties reviewed in detail each issue identified during the monitoring process, including the filling of vacant staff positions at penitentiary institutions, ensuring inmates’ contact with the outside world, and resocialisation programmes.

During the discussion, representatives of the Penitentiary Service provided clarifications on the issues raised and discussed the most effective and practical ways to address them.

Summing up the meeting, Tadevosyan reaffirmed the Penitentiary Service’s commitment to the consistent implementation of reforms in the penitentiary system and stressed that the Service remains open to constructive cooperation and professional dialogue.

The representative of the Human Rights Defender’s Office also highlighted the effectiveness of meetings held in this format, noting that the Penitentiary Service responds to the issues raised promptly and in a cooperative manner.

Arayik Harutyunyan has announced that he has concluded his more than five-year tenure as Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister of Armenia and will soon assume a seat in the National Assembly.

Harutyunyan made the announcement in a post on his Facebook page.

“Today marked the end of my more than five years as Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister. As I have said before, it has been an invaluable experience for me, and I have devoted all my knowledge and skills to serving the Republic of Armenia.

I am grateful to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for this opportunity. Together, we have overcome numerous challenges while strengthening our statehood, something of which I am very proud.

Between 2018 and 2021, I was elected to parliament three times during the sixth, seventh and eighth convocations of the National Assembly, but each time I relinquished my mandate to serve in the executive branch.

Now I am returning to parliament to become #YourMP.

Together with my colleagues, we will prove that, in a parliamentary republic, this is one of the country’s most important institutions. I will dedicate my efforts and abilities to that goal.

Keep your heads high and your spirits up. The continuity of the Republic of Armenia is now a fact,” the post reads.

Investigators have raided the residence of Narek Karapetyan, the nephew of business tycoon and Strong Armenia Alliance leader Samvel Karapetyan.

“Investigative actions are underway as part of a criminal case,” Investigative Committee spokesperson Kima Avdalyan told Armenpress.

Narek Karapetyan was elected a Member of Parliament in the June 7 elections.

On July 22, the Central Electoral Commission approved the prosecutor’s motion to initiate criminal proceedings against him on charges related to allegedly bribing people to attend rallies and money laundering. The case is connected to an investigation into another prominent Strong Armenia member, Alik Aleksanyan, who is also under arrest.

A court approved the prosecution’s motion to impose a travel ban on Karapetyan earlier in July, opting not to remand him in custody but setting bail at 1 billion AMD (approximately $2.73 million).