Category: News

Cooperation between the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) and the United Nations (UN) is entering a new phase, according to Bakyt Sultanov, EEC Minister in charge of Economy and Financial Policy.

Sultanov made the remarks in a video address to participants of the 59th session of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL).

He recalled that, on the sidelines of the Eurasian Economic Forum held in Astana in late May 2026, the EEC and UNCITRAL signed a memorandum of understanding, laying the foundation for expanding cooperation between the two organisations.

According to Sultanov, the memorandum will enable the EEC to apply UNCITRAL’s international standards and best practices when drafting legal acts of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) in the field of trade law. Under the 2026 cooperation programme, the two sides plan to hold a series of joint webinars, exchange information, and support the translation of UNCITRAL’s online training courses.

The minister also highlighted key items on the session’s agenda, including the establishment of an advisory centre on investment dispute settlement, the development of e-commerce and digital platforms, the regulation of online payments, measures to strengthen transaction security, and legal issues related to insolvency.

“It is important for us that international standards and expert recommendations find practical application, helping EAEU member states improve regulation, reduce business costs, develop digital tools, ensure legal certainty, and strengthen trust among participants in economic activity,” Sultanov said.

The European Union has donated a next-generation remote-controlled demining machine to Armenia to support humanitarian mine clearance efforts, Peter Wagner, Head of the European Commission’s Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI), announced during a press briefing.

According to Wagner, the machine weighs about 20 tonnes and forms part of a €5.5 million demining assistance package provided by the EU.

He said the package includes operator training, safety and first-aid equipment, as well as a large supply of spare parts needed for operations in difficult terrain, including mountainous areas.

“This machine is part of a €5.5 million demining package that includes extensive training, as these machines are technically demanding to operate. It also includes safety equipment, first-aid kits used during demining operations, and a significant stock of spare parts because the machine will be operated remotely in very challenging environments, sometimes in mountainous terrain,” Wagner said.

Wagner described demining as an essential component of peacebuilding, saying it enables people living in border communities to see and feel that their surroundings are becoming safer.

The machine will support humanitarian demining operations in hazardous areas across Armenia. It will also be used during the Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation process.

The participation of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in the farewell ceremonies for Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei reflects the enduring ties and special relationship between Armenia and Iran, Iranian Ambassador to Armenia Khalil Shirgholami said.

Speaking at a press conference at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Yerevan on July 8, titled “Until the Last Moment, for the Homeland,” Shirgholami said the farewell and funeral ceremonies for the late Iranian leader were attended at the highest level by senior officials from 41 countries as well as the heads of four regional and international organizations.

According to the ambassador, the raised fist of the late leader became the symbol of the mourning ceremonies, representing the continuation of Iran’s path of dignity and resilience.

“From our neighboring and friendly country, the Republic of Armenia, we witnessed the presence of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the high-level delegation he led at the final farewell ceremony for the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran. This speaks to the enduring ties and the special nature of relations between our two countries. I consider it my duty to express my gratitude and appreciation for the presence of the Armenian delegation. It once again confirms the existing ties between our countries, the human bonds between our peoples, and the need to further strengthen and expand those relations,” Shirgholami said.

The ambassador recalled that the late Iranian leader had held Armenia in high regard and often referred to it as Iran’s “honest neighbor.”

He added that Khamenei also showed special respect toward the Armenian community in Iran and regularly visited Armenian families, particularly those whose sons had been killed during the Iran-Iraq War.

“He consistently emphasized the importance of Armenian-Iranian friendship,” Shirgholami said.

The ambassador expressed hope that the late leader’s ideas and vision would continue to serve as a guiding light for the development of Armenia-Iran relations and the implementation of major joint initiatives in the future.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in U.S. and Israeli strikes on February 28. He had led Iran for 37 years, succeeding the founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini, in 1989. Iranian authorities declared 40 days of national mourning and seven days of public holidays following his death.

The signing of a strategic partnership document between Armenia and Iran will create a new atmosphere in bilateral relations and open a new window for cooperation in various areas, including politics, the economy, investment and security, Iranian Ambassador to Armenia Khalil Shirgholami said.

Speaking at a press conference on July 8, the ambassador said Tehran is committed to institutionalizing Armenia-Iran cooperation within the framework of the planned strategic partnership document.

“It is our desire and will to carry out serious and decisive work to institutionalize Armenian-Iranian cooperation within the framework of the strategic partnership document. This has been discussed at various levels, and clear statements have been made. Last week, when the Armenian prime minister met with the Iranian president, the importance of this issue and the need to achieve results as soon as possible were once again emphasized,” Shirgholami said.

He said Iran is taking consistent steps toward signing the document.

“We are working on the text and hope to finalize and complete it soon and begin the signing process. Iran would warmly welcome the visit of honorable Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to Iran, where the document will be signed. This will create a new atmosphere in Armenian-Iranian relations and open a new window for further cooperation in various fields, including politics, the economy, investment and security,” the Iranian ambassador said.

Armenian-American interventional pain specialist Dr. Armen Deryan believes Armenia can significantly strengthen its healthcare system by expanding international professional cooperation and systematically engaging the expertise of the Armenian diaspora.

Speaking during a visit to Armenia organized under the BRIDGE initiative, Deryan said the combination of medical education, clinical collaboration and long-term professional partnerships could help advance the country’s capabilities in pain management and minimally invasive medicine while positioning Armenia as a regional center for specialized healthcare.

Practicing in the United States, Deryan specializes in interventional pain management, regenerative medicine, spine interventions and image-guided minimally invasive procedures. Alongside his clinical work, he has been involved in physician education, mentorship programs and international medical cooperation.

“Armenia has always held a special place in my heart, and I have long wanted to find ways to contribute professionally to the development of its healthcare system,” he said.

According to Deryan, the BRIDGE initiative is designed to build sustainable links between Armenia and the diaspora through educational exchanges, mentorship, clinical cooperation and long-term institutional partnerships rather than short-term professional visits.

He said Armenia possesses considerable medical potential and that many of the country’s healthcare institutions are led by highly qualified and motivated professionals committed to expanding minimally invasive treatment options and strengthening international cooperation.

During his visit, Deryan toured several leading medical centers, including Erebuni Medical Center, the Interventional Radiology Center, Arabkir Medical Complex and ArtMed Medical Center, where he met physicians and administrators working to modernize clinical practice.

Deryan also highlighted the complementary role of the MEDam platform, which aims to strengthen links between healthcare, international cooperation and medical tourism by promoting quality standards, professional accreditation and patient-centered care.

He believes Armenia has the potential to become a regional hub for specialized medical services, particularly in pain management, interventional radiology, rehabilitation medicine and minimally invasive procedures.

The physician said many Armenian doctors abroad are already interested in contributing through initiatives such as BRIDGE, not to replace local professionals but to share expertise, mentor young physicians and build lasting professional networks.

“Medicine today is international, collaborative and rapidly evolving. The most important thing is to continue building bridges between generations, countries, institutions and ideas,” Deryan said.

The BRIDGE initiative promotes medical tourism in Armenia and facilitates visits by internationally recognized Armenian physicians to share their expertise with healthcare professionals in the country.

The European Union is discussing with the governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan how it can best support the development of regional transport and connectivity routes in the South Caucasus, Magdalena Grono, the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia, said in Yerevan.

Speaking to reporters, Grono said the progress achieved toward building sustainable peace in the region had been “incredibly impressive.”

“As the European Union, we seek to be a strong partner for the Republic of Armenia, but also for Azerbaijan, so that this peace becomes a lasting reality that benefits all people,” she said.

Grono noted that the EU supports the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process through political engagement as well as practical initiatives.

She said the bloc is also looking at ways to support areas where discussions are still ongoing and which could benefit communities on both sides, including humanitarian demining.

According to Grono, demining has a direct impact on communities affected by conflict and could also facilitate broader regional connectivity and the development of new transport links.

Referring to the EU-funded remote-controlled demining machine delivered to Armenia on July 8, she said the equipment forms part of the EU’s broader support for peacebuilding efforts.

Grono also reaffirmed that regional connectivity and the wider unblocking of transport links in the South Caucasus remain high on the EU’s agenda.

“We are discussing with the Armenian authorities, but also with our Azerbaijani partners, how we can best support the development of these routes so that all countries are involved and all communities along them benefit. We also want to make a meaningful contribution to what is a priority for the European Union – the Middle Corridor, which connects Asia with Europe through the South Caucasus,” she said.

The European Union plans to support the construction of three border crossing points in Armenia, with demining expected to be the first prerequisite for implementing the projects, EU Ambassador to Armenia Vassilis Maragos said.

Speaking to reporters in Yerevan during the presentation of a remote-controlled demining machine donated by the EU, Maragos said the equipment would contribute both to humanitarian demining and future infrastructure projects.

Asked whether the machine would serve only the safety of border communities or also infrastructure development, the ambassador said it would play an important role in both.

“Connectivity projects require clearing the areas through which they will pass. As you know, we have already committed to supporting the construction of three border crossing points and are now working on the details of the project. Demining will be the first necessary step to allow these important construction works to move forward,” Maragos said.

He did not specify where the planned border crossing points would be located.

Maragos added that the European Union continues to deepen its partnership with Armenia through investments in both security and infrastructure.

“We are working to deepen relations between the European Union and Armenia, and this is bringing very tangible benefits to the Armenian people. The European Union has invested in the security of conflict-affected communities through various programmes, as well as through the activities of the European Union Mission in Armenia (EUMA). We are now also investing in saving lives through our cooperation with Armenia’s Center for Humanitarian Demining and Expertise,” he said.

According to Maragos, the demining machine, manufactured in Croatia, represents a tangible _expression_ of solidarity by European taxpayers with Armenia.

The announcement comes as the European Commission advances its Connectivity Agenda, which envisages mobilizing up to €2 billion for investments in transport infrastructure, border crossing points and trade facilitation across the Black Sea region and the South Caucasus as part of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy.

Armenia’s Central Election Commission (CEC) has returned a request seeking its consent to initiate criminal proceedings against Gagik Tsarukyan, a parliamentary candidate on the Prosperous Armenia Party’s electoral list.

The decision was approved by seven votes in favour during a CEC session.

The issue was presented by CEC Deputy Chair Nune Hovhannisyan, who said the request had been submitted by the head of the Department for Crimes Against State Authority at the Prosecutor General’s Office.

“The request seeks the Commission’s consent to initiate public criminal prosecution against Gagik Kolya Tsarukyan, a parliamentary candidate included in the Prosperous Armenia Party’s electoral list for the June 7, 2026 National Assembly elections,” Hovhannisyan said.

She recalled that on May 3, the CEC had registered the Prosperous Armenia Party’s electoral list for participation in the June 7, 2026 parliamentary elections, with Tsarukyan registered as the first candidate on the list.

Citing Article 91(1) of the Electoral Code, the CEC decided to return the request, along with the accompanying documents, seeking consent to initiate criminal proceedings against Tsarukyan.

During the same session, the Commission also returned a similar request seeking consent to prosecute Levon Nalbandyan, a parliamentary candidate on the electoral list of the Strong Armenia Alliance. That decision was also adopted by seven votes in favour.

The CEC explained that, under the Electoral Code, the rights and obligations granted to parliamentary candidates remain in force until the expiry of the deadline for challenging the Commission’s decision on the election results, or, if such a challenge is filed, until the Constitutional Court issues its ruling. Accordingly, the legal status of parliamentary candidate applied until July 4, 2026.

The Commission added that it has no authority to grant consent for criminal prosecution or detention of a person who no longer holds the legal status of a parliamentary candidate.

Tsarukyan was earlier placed in pre-trial detention for two months. He has been charged with fraud and money laundering.

He was detained on July 6 and taken to the Investigative Committee before later being transferred to court.

The Investigative Committee has said that, as part of the criminal proceedings, simultaneous searches were carried out at more than 70 locations in cooperation with the National Security Service, the State Revenue Committee and the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Police.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan chaired a meeting to review the findings of a study on the wheat value chain and discuss measures to boost domestic wheat production.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan presented an analysis of wheat production and import volumes, the country’s self-sufficiency level, and wheat yield indicators. He also outlined the main challenges facing the sector and addressed issues related to wheat quality and storage.

Following the presentation of the study’s findings and the identified challenges, the economy minister put forward proposals aimed at addressing the issues.

Participants underlined the importance of introducing effective mechanisms to improve the wheat value chain and adopting measures in line with developments and emerging trends in the sector. They also stressed the need to adopt a strategy for intensive wheat cultivation.

Emphasising the importance of increasing wheat production, Prime Minister Pashinyan instructed the relevant authorities to identify unused agricultural land suitable for wheat cultivation, prepare a draft investment programme and submit it for further discussion.

The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 8 July, USD exchange rate down by 0.18 drams to 367.29 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 1.13 drams to 419 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.0149 drams to 4.7987 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 1.75 drams to 490.11 drams.

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

Gold price up by 151 drams to 49074 drams.