Defense Minister Suren Papikyan visited the Vazgen Sargsyan Military Academy to inspect the new canteen and ongoing construction work.
Papikyan shared a video of the visit on social media, showing him speaking with cadets.
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The Armenian government has extended the validity of the temporary visa liberalization regime until July 1, 2027.
The decision applies to citizens of the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Sultanate of Oman, as well as foreign nationals holding valid residency status in the United States, European Union member states, Schengen countries, the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the State of Kuwait, or the Sultanate of Oman. These individuals will be allowed to enter Armenia without an entry visa, in accordance with established regulations, the Tourism Committee said.
A revised list of eligible countries has also been approved, with Yemen and Sudan removed from the list.
The decision aims to further facilitate travel to Armenia, strengthen international connectivity, and support the development of the country’s tourism sector.
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YEREVAN, 30 JUNE, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 30 June, USD exchange rate down by 0.17 drams to 367.89 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 0.34 drams to 419.47 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.0255 drams to 4.706 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 0.11 drams to 486.87 drams.
The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.
Gold price down by 561 drams to 47625 drams. Silver price down by 8.3 drams to 682.53 drams.
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An assessment team under the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)’s Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS) programme and its Sustainable Laboratories initiative has arrived in Armenia at the invitation of the Food Safety Inspectorate, the inspectorate said in a statement.
According to the statement, a team of experts led by Dr. André de Oliveira Mendonça will, over the next 10 days, assess the capacities of Armenia’s veterinary services and the laboratories of the Republican Centre for Veterinary, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Laboratory Services, a state non-commercial organization operating under the Food Safety Inspectorate. Welcoming the assessment team, Head of the Food Safety Inspectorate Tigran Petrosyan stressed the initiative’s particular importance for the modernization of Armenia’s veterinary system and its alignment with international standards.
“I am confident that it will contribute to strengthening veterinary services, aligning laboratories with international standards, and ensuring more effective protection of animal and public health,” Petrosyan said.
Dr. André de Oliveira Mendonça welcomed the Armenian side’s constructive approach and expressed hope that the new methodology, which is being applied by the team for the first time, would enable an accurate assessment of laboratory capacities. He said it would also contribute to improving veterinary and laboratory services, quality management systems, the development of a long-term strategy, and the professional capacity of personnel in Armenia.
The Sustainable Laboratories initiative under the Performance of Veterinary Services programme is designed to assess laboratory capacities, ensure the sustainable operation of laboratories, and support the development of high-quality diagnostic systems as an essential component of animal disease detection and control.
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Issues related to major urban development projects of investment interest in Yerevan were discussed during a meeting between Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan and Ahmed Al Shamsi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Trojan Construction Holding and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Emarat Group, according to a statement issued by the Yerevan Municipality.
Eduard Sukiasyan, founder and chairman of the board of Sil Capital, also attended the meeting.
Discussing neighbourhood redevelopment, the construction of residential complexes and other projects aimed at improving the urban environment, Avinyan presented the Noragyugh redevelopment project, which is expected to become Yerevan’s new city centre.
The mayor said the growing confidence of international businesses in Yerevan once again demonstrates that the capital is steadily strengthening its position as an attractive destination for investment, innovation and international cooperation.
Thanking the mayor for the warm reception, Ahmed Al Shamsi said his company is also interested in implementing major projects in Armenia.
The discussions also covered the construction of the Promenade complex and the redevelopment of the Dalma Gardens, projects intended to revitalize Yerevan’s public spaces by creating a modern, comfortable and attractive environment for residents and visitors.
Mayor Avinyan reiterated that the municipality remains open to cooperation with all companies and individuals interested in making mutually beneficial investments in Yerevan.
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On the instructions of Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan, on June 25, representatives of the HRD staff conducted an unannounced monitoring visit to “Special Accommodation” SNOC of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
During the visit, the representatives of the Defender got acquainted with the housing conditions of the Shelter and the living conditions of the asylum seekers and the current state of ensuring their rights, emphasizing the dignified living conditions of the latter.
The representatives of the HRD staff also had private talks with the asylum seekers. As a result of monitoring, systemic problems related to food supply, overcrowding, water supply, gas supply, humidity and sanitary conditions were recorded. It was also recorded that the building conditions of the Shelter are not adapted to the needs of persons with disabilities.
The state of protection of children’s rights was also studied. In particular, problems related to the provision of necessary living conditions, health care and services aimed at development were recorded. It was also found out that one of the children living in the Shelter had problems being included in the educational process.
The new building, which has been under construction since 2023 and is located in the city of Abovyan, has not yet been put into operation.
The defender of human rights has repeatedly referred to the issue of the unfavorable building conditions of the “Special Accommodation”. Defender Anahit Manasyan specifically emphasized this issue in the 2024 and 2025 annual reports on the activities of the Human Rights Defender, the state of protection of human rights and freedoms, emphasizing the need to put the new building into operation as soon as possible.
The registered problems will be addressed to the competent state bodies with the request to find appropriate solutions.
The human rights defender continues to focus on the systemic issues of protecting the rights of asylum seekers and refugees, as well as improving their living conditions in the “Special Accommodation”.
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On June 28, a tragic incident took place in Vayots Dzor region. Around 1:30 p.m., information was received that emergency doctors went to the “Olympia” sanatorium operating in Jermuk city, where they found a child’s body.
As photojournalist Gagik Shamshyan reports, the deceased is 14-year-old S., a resident of Kotayk region. It is K. who died suddenly in the presence of his relatives at the entrance of one of the rooms of the “Olympia” sanatorium as a result of a sharp deterioration in his well-being.
Documents were drawn up in the Jermuk police department regarding the incident, which were transferred to the Vayots Dzor regional investigative department of the RA Investigative Committee.
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As a result of the activities carried out by the officers of the RA Anti-Corruption Committee, factual information was obtained that the persons acting on behalf of the “Strong Armenia” party bribed a number of voters of the Arbat settlement of Masis community of Ararat region and took material interest in participating in the meeting held near the party leader’s house, on the condition that they would vote for their party in the National Assembly elections and recruit supporters.
In connection with the incident, the RA Anti-Corruption Committee initiated criminal proceedings, arrested a number of persons, and carried out administrative actions.
Notice: the person accused of a crime is considered innocent until his guilt is proven in accordance with the procedure established by the RA Criminal Procedure Code by a legally binding court verdict.
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The Azerbaijani MP once again admits that they could not afford to advance aggressive plans against Armenia, especially with any international partner…
Yesterday, another meeting was held in Azerbaijan on the subject of the invasion plan being developed against the Republic of Armenia. Moreover, the state agency “Azertaj” of Azerbaijan writes about it. There is no lack of information about such gatherings in the official Azerbaijani sources, they are very happy to write about the annexation plans of Armenia, especially when there is no proper response from Armenia.
However, among the speeches made during this gathering, the speech of the ruling deputy of Azerbaijan, Malahat Ibrahimgez, drew attention, where he says: “Before, it was difficult to pronounce the phrase “Western Azerbaijan” on international platforms, but today the rights of our compatriots deported from Western Azerbaijan are on the agenda of international organizations.”
Calling the Republic of Armenia “Western Azerbaijan” would never have been possible even today in case of normal diplomatic organization, but… all this is made possible for Azerbaijan by its lawyers who lead the Armenian government.
Azerbaijanologist Tatev Hayrapetyan
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The RA Ministry of Economy informs that the existing free trade agreements between the Republic of Armenia and a number of partner countries create an important opportunity to promote the export of Armenian products, increase the competitiveness of Armenian products in foreign markets and reduce exporters’ costs.
This was reported by the Ministry of Economy.
“Particularly, in cases where the Republic of Armenia has a free trade agreement with the given country, during the export of goods of Armenian origin, in case of compliance with the specified requirements and the presence of the appropriate document certifying the origin of the product, the certificate of origin, the exporters can use the preferential customs regime. This means that during customs formalities in the importing country, no customs duty is charged on the corresponding goods, provided that the conditions set by the current free trade agreement are met.
The Ministry urges exporters to study in advance the conditions applicable to their products, including rules of origin, necessary documents and customs procedures of the importing country. Proper preparation of the certificate of origin is an important prerequisite for taking advantage of the benefits provided by free trade agreements.
The RA Ministry of Economy continues to work on promoting the export of Armenian products, diversifying markets, and raising awareness of the opportunities available to exporters.
The Ministry calls on the exporting companies to more actively use the preferential conditions provided by the current trade agreements of the Republic of Armenia, contributing to the expansion of the representation of Armenian products in the international markets.
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