Stephen Doughty, the UK Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories, has congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his victory in the parliamentary elections. The British official noted that the United Kingdom is ready to continue cooperation with Armenia’s new government.

“Congratulations to Nikol Pashinyan on your election victory. The UK looks forward to working with the new, democratically elected Armenian government to deliver on our Strategic Partnership, strengthen regional stability, and develop closer relations with partners in Europe,” Doughty wrote on his X account.

Parliamentary elections were held in Armenia on 7 June. According to preliminary results, three political forces have secured seats in parliament: the Civil Contract party, with 727,827 votes, or 49.825 per cent, which on the strength of its result will hold a parliamentary majority and form a government; the Strong Armenia alliance, with 340,088 votes, or 23.281 per cent; and the Armenia Alliance, with 145,113 votes, or 9.934 per cent. According to preliminary data, the Prosperous Armenia party is also very close to the four per cent threshold required to enter parliament, having received 3.996 per cent. The party had already announced that it would apply to the Central Electoral Commission for a recount at a number of polling stations. Other political forces had also called for a recount.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has described as “unacceptable” and “wrong” the conditions put forward by European countries for mediation efforts aimed at resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

“As for the Europeans’ mediating role, they are probably far from being ready to act as mediators. First of all, launching mediation efforts while imposing any conditions on Russia is probably illogical, wrong and, of course, unacceptable for us,” the Russian president’s press secretary said at a press briefing.

“The main point is that, so far, we see that the Europeans are much more focused on continuing the war than on peace negotiations,” the Kremlin spokesman stated.

On June 7, following a meeting in London, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz issued a joint statement outlining five conditions for achieving a just and lasting peace in the war with Russia.

Armenia’s Ambassador to the Republic of Bulgaria Tsovinar Hambardzumyan attended the gala awards ceremony of the fifth Golden FEMI International Film Festival in Sofia on June 6.

During the ceremony, the ambassador accepted an award on behalf of young Armenian film director Milena Hovhannisyan, which was presented to her by the festival’s international jury for the documentary film “Spiritual Strength.”

The Golden FEMI Film Festival is an international cultural event dedicated to promoting environmental awareness, social engagement, the achievements of women in cinema, as well as support for vulnerable groups in society and the values of human dignity and solidarity.

The documentary “Spiritual Strength” tells the inspiring story of a man who lost both of his hands in a tragic accident. Faced with enormous challenges, the film’s protagonist overcame them through resilience, creativity and determination, continuing to make a significant contribution to society as an inventor and innovator.

The film received this high recognition for its powerful human message and artistic value.

In addition to Armenia, films representing Argentina, Indonesia, Poland, Lebanon, Cyprus, Mongolia and Morocco also received awards.

Ambassador Hambardzumyan thanked the festival organisers, in particular festival president Efemia Fard, for creating this important platform for intercultural dialogue. She also highlighted the important role of cinema in promoting universal values, mutual understanding and respect for human dignity.

The ambassador further stressed the importance of bilateral cooperation between Armenia and Bulgaria, noting that artistic and cultural exchanges continue to strengthen the long-standing friendship between the two countries.

The Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Bulgaria warmly congratulated Milena Hovhannisyan on receiving this prestigious award and wished her continued success in her future creative endeavours.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev has congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his victory in the parliamentary elections held on 7 June.

The Bulgarian government’s press service announced the news.

“I congratulate Nikol Pashinyan on his victory in the parliamentary elections held in Armenia on 7 June,” the message reads.

The Bulgarian prime minister also expressed hope that cooperation between the two countries would continue to develop.

“I look forward to close cooperation between Bulgaria and Armenia to further strengthen our excellent relations in all areas of mutual interest,” Radev said.

Parliamentary elections were held in Armenia on 7 June. According to preliminary results, three political forces have secured seats in parliament: the Civil Contract party, with 727,827 votes, or 49.825 per cent, which on the strength of its result will hold a parliamentary majority and form a government; the Strong Armenia alliance, with 340,088 votes, or 23.281 per cent; and the Armenia Alliance, with 145,113 votes, or 9.934 per cent. According to preliminary data, the Prosperous Armenia party is also very close to the four per cent threshold required to enter parliament, having received 3.996 per cent. The party had already announced that it would apply to the Central Electoral Commission for a recount at a number of polling stations. Other political forces had also called for a recount.

President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov has sent a congratulatory message to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on the victory of his party in Armenia’s parliamentary elections.

According to the Armenian Prime Minister’s Office, the message reads:

“On behalf of the people of the Kyrgyz Republic and personally on my own behalf, I sincerely congratulate you and the party you lead on your victory in the parliamentary elections held in the Republic of Armenia.

This victory confirms that the people of the Republic of Armenia support the country’s continued stable development, the continuity of reforms, and the strengthening of state institutions.

The Kyrgyz Republic highly values the interstate relations and cooperation established with the Republic of Armenia, which are based on the principle of mutual respect, and expresses its readiness to further strengthen Kyrgyz-Armenian cooperation in the political, trade-economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres.

I wish you good health and continued success in your public service, and peace and prosperity to the people of the Republic of Armenia.”

Albania’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs has congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his victory in the parliamentary elections. In a post published on its official X account, the Albanian ministry noted that the Armenian people have entrusted Pashinyan with a clear mandate to continue leading the country on a path of peace, stability, and democratic transformation.

“Congratulations to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on this significant victory and the clear mandate entrusted to him by the Armenian people to continue leading the country on a path of peace, stability, and democratic transformation. A strong affirmation of a clear vision, courage, and leadership in advancing ambitious institutional and societal reforms, strengthening democratic governance, and bringing Armenia ever closer to the European family of values. We look forward to working closely together to further deepen the excellent relations between our two countries, strengthen our dialogue and cooperation, and advance our shared commitment to peace, democracy, and a stronger European future for our peoples,” the Albanian Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs stated.

Armenia’s Ambassador to Bulgaria Tsovinar Hambardzumyan has held an official meeting with Bulgarian Deputy Foreign Minister Hristo Polendakov, the Armenian Embassy in Bulgaria reported.

The deputy minister congratulated the ambassador on the successful organisation and conduct of the parliamentary elections held in Armenia on 7 June.

During the meeting, the deputy minister spoke highly of bilateral relations with Armenia, noting that they are built on longstanding historical and cultural ties between the two peoples and have recently been reinforced by the Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership signed on 3 May by Bulgarian President Iliana Iotova and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Hristo Polendakov noted that Bulgaria highly values Armenia’s continued commitment to European values and democratic reforms, despite an unstable security environment and a complex regional and geopolitical context, and expressed readiness to share Bulgaria’s knowledge and experience.

The two sides discussed prospects for expanding bilateral cooperation across a number of areas of mutual interest. Key topics included the need to strengthen trade and economic relations, Armenia’s participation in inter-regional energy and transport projects, as well as opportunities for innovation and investment promotion. The possibility of joining efforts to restore direct air routes between the two countries was also discussed.

US Chargé d’Affaires in Armenia David Allen has visited Syunik Province to highlight various areas of Armenian-American cooperation, the US Embassy in Armenia said.

During the visit, Allen is scheduled to meet local officials, alumni of US exchange programmes, Peace Corps volunteers, representatives of civil society, students and US partners.

At the American Corner in Kapan, Chargé d’Affaires Allen will present the “Founders Museum” exhibition. In Meghri, he will meet students participating in the US-funded ACCESS programme and visit the Meghri border area to learn more about ongoing cooperation efforts.

The visit also includes a stop at ContourGlobal’s office in Goris to discuss issues related to energy security and potential areas of cooperation.

According to the US Embassy, the visit is intended to highlight the growing partnership and continued cooperation between Armenia and the United States in expanding economic opportunities, deepening energy cooperation, advancing education and preserving cultural heritage.

The U.S. military launched airstrikes and Iran retaliated Wednesday following the crash of an Army helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz that U.S. President Donald Trump blamed on the Islamic Republic, The Associated Press reported.

Iran launched attacks in Bahrain and Kuwait, which both sounded alerts and fired air defenses in response. Iran also said it targeted an air base in Jordan hosting U.S. forces, which was not immediately acknowledged either by American or Jordanian officials.

Fighter jets from the U.S. Air Force and Navy conducted the strikes in Iran, the U.S. military’s Central Command said, targeting “air defense, ground control stations, and surveillance radar sites.” Iran acknowledged strikes around Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island, but gave no details on the damage.

“The operation was a proportional response to recent attacks on U.S. forces and international commercial ships transiting regional waters,” Central Command said.

Trump said earlier in a social media post that Iran had shot down the aircraft while it was on patrol over the strait and declared that the U.S. “must, of necessity, respond to this attack.” Iran’s top diplomat said foreign military forces near its territory “are at constant risk” and later vowed that there would be a response to the new U.S. strikes.

Iranian forces “will leave no attack or threat unanswered,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on X. “Leave our region if you want to be safe.”

The downing of the Apache attack helicopter and the strikes by the U.S. military further strained a two-month ceasefire a day after Iran and Israel exchanged fire for the first time since the fragile truce took effect. Iranian state television said Tuesday that the Israeli attacks killed at least two members of the country’s air-defense units.

The Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopter went down after colliding with an Iranian drone, according to a U.S. official, who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation.

It wasn’t clear whether the collision was intentional, and official statements only said the crash is under investigation. CNN, CBS News and other outlets earlier reported the collision.

In the first known operation of its kind by the American military, a drone boat rescued two aviators at 3:30 a.m. local time Tuesday, about two hours after their aircraft went down during a patrol off the coast of Oman, U.S. Central Command said.

Trump said both service members were “safe and uninjured.”