The Armenian Greco-Roman wrestling team returned from the U17 World Championships in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku with three medals.

Janes Nazaryan won the gold medal in the 71 kg weight category, while Ararat Avetisyan (48 kg) and Gevorg Harutyunyan (51 kg) claimed bronze medals.

Speaking at a press conference, head coach Gagik Khachatryan praised his team for doing a “tremendous job,” while saying that it could have achieved even more.

“Our team competed with 10 wrestlers and came away with three medals. I am very pleased with our medalists; they truly did a tremendous job. This is the World Championships, where the strongest wrestlers compete and the battle for medals is extremely difficult. We also had other athletes who were capable of winning medals, but it did not work out. Naturally, we will analyze our shortcomings and mistakes and continue working on them,” Khachatryan said.

Referring to the medalists, Khachatryan said they had given the team great pride by raising Armenia’s flag and hearing the Armenian national anthem played in Baku.

“It was a very emotional and inspiring moment. When Janes won the gold medal and Armenia’s national anthem was about to be played, we even thought they might not allow it, but there were no problems at all. The officiating was also fair. To be honest, we had concerns before traveling, but the situation on the ground turned out to be completely different,” Khachatryan said.

Gold medalist Janes Nazaryan became a U17 world champion for the second time. He said the responsibility was even greater this time, especially given the level of competition.

“Since I had also won gold the last time, I was the center of attention for all the participants. There was pressure, but I managed to overcome it. I am satisfied with my bouts, and we worked well together with the coaches. There were some mistakes, but, thank God, they did not affect the overall result. Of all my matches, I would single out the final against Russia’s Aslan Dzuev. At first, the bout did not go according to our plan, but thanks to my coaches’ guidance, I managed to achieve a good result,” Nazaryan said.

Team member Gevorg Harutyunyan fought through injury to win the bronze medal. He injured his hand in his opening bout, but his determination to win a medal was so strong that he ignored the pain and continued competing to finish in third place.

“I wrestled opponents from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Georgia. I suffered an injury to my hand in my very first bout, and it affected me somewhat. Otherwise, I think I could have gone further. It was difficult, but once I realized I had a chance to win the bronze medal, I ignored the pain in my hand and fought until the end,” Harutyunyan said.

Ararat Avetisyan, who added another bronze medal to Armenia’s tally, said the competition was very strong and that he was satisfied with finishing third under those circumstances. The medal is Avetisyan’s third bronze medal at the international level.

“The opponents were strong, but my desire to win a medal was even stronger. I am happy that I managed to overcome the difficulties and claim the bronze medal. During the medal ceremony, I felt great pride seeing Armenia’s flag raised in Baku,” Avetisyan said, adding that he now intends to work on his mistakes and shortcomings and prepare even better in the future. 

Prime Minister of Singapore Lawrence Wong has congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his electoral victory.

“Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on your victory in the parliamentary elections of the Republic of Armenia held last month,” PM Wong said in a letter to PM Pashinyan, as published by the Armenian Prime Minister’s Office.

“Singapore and Armenia enjoy friendly relations rooted in longstanding historical ties. Although 2027 will mark the 35th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations, Armenia’s contribution to Singapore dates back more than a century before that.

“Singapore’s oldest church, the Armenian Church of Saint Gregory the Illuminator, was built in Singapore in 1835 and designated a national monument in 1973 in recognition of the contribution of Singapore’s early Armenian community, which, though small, was highly influential. The Armenian Church is celebrating its 190th anniversary this year.

“Singapore’s national flower, the Vanda Miss Joaquim orchid, was also cultivated by an Armenian woman, Mrs. Agnes Joaquim.

“I also welcome Armenia’s opening of an Honorary Consulate in Singapore in May 2025. This is another step toward strengthening our bilateral cooperation.

“As fellow partner members of the Forum of Small States, we also share a common interest in upholding international law, promoting free trade, and maintaining a rules-based international order. Given our shared interests, there remains potential to further expand our bilateral cooperation in mutually beneficial areas, such as trade and people-to-people exchanges.

“I look forward to working together with you for the benefit of our two countries and peoples, as well as to meeting with you. Please accept my best wishes for your good health and continued success.”

The Azatutyun Premium-Class Multifunctional Complex continues to expand its international partnerships by engaging world-leading companies in the development of the project.

The Azatutyun Complex and Yuglift, the official representative of KONE, have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on the integration of KONE’s modern elevator systems into the complex.

The Memorandum of Cooperation, announcing the partnership, was signed by David Atanessian, Founder and CEO of the Azatutyun Complex, and Harutyun Amirjanov, Chief Executive Officer of Yuglift.

The Finnish company KONE is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of elevators and escalators, with more than a century of experience. The company is renowned for its innovative technologies, high safety standards, and solutions aimed at creating sustainable urban environments. KONE’s systems are installed in numerous premium-class residential, commercial, and multifunctional developments around the world, ensuring the safe, efficient, and comfortable movement of people. Guided by these principles, the Azatutyun Complex chose the KONE brand for its elevator systems. The concept behind the project envisions not only premium-class architecture, but also attention to every detail, from engineering solutions to the everyday comfort of its residents.

David Atanessian, Founder and CEO of the Azatutyun Complex, said:

“It is important to us that Azatutyun becomes a project where international best practices and the Armenian reality come together around a single, unified vision. When selecting each of our partners, we are guided not only by the company’s global reputation, but also by the value it can bring to our project. KONE’s new generation technologies fully align with our approach of creating a safe, comfortable, and modern environment that will serve its residents for many years to come.”

Harutyun Amirjanov, Chief Executive Officer of Yuglift, the official representative of KONE in Armenia, added:

“We are pleased to begin this partnership as part of a project such as the Azatutyun Complex. For more than two decades, as KONE’s official representative in Armenia, we have been offering our clients world-class elevator solutions by combining innovative technologies, high safety standards, and professional expertise. We are confident that KONE’s systems will fully meet the high standards of the Azatutyun Complex and become one of the key components ensuring safe, comfortable, and seamless movement for its residents.”

The event brought together partners, investors, industry representatives, and supporters of the project to mark a partnership that represents another step forward for Armenia’s premium-class residential development sector.

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Azatutyun is a premium-class multifunctional complex that sets new standards for the urban environment, architecture, and modern living.

The complex has been designed using advanced engineering, contemporary architectural, and innovative construction approaches, with a high seismic resistance rating of 9+. The construction incorporates the latest generation of energy-efficient building materials. The ventilated façade system is clad with non-combustible composite panels, ensuring a high level of fire safety.

Strategically located as the northern gateway of Yerevan, the complex occupies one of the capital’s key transport hubs, providing convenient access to the city’s main roads and intersections, with quick connectivity to both Yerevan’s city centre and its other administrative districts.

The complex comprises 18 floors, with the first four floors dedicated to commercial spaces. Amenities include a concierge service, 24/7 security, 3,600 sq m of landscaped green areas and an Art Zone, as well as a supermarket, pharmacy, cafés, food outlets, a fitness centre, and a spa.

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KONE is one of the world’s leading providers of elevators, escalators, and smart building mobility solutions. Founded in Finland in 1910, the company operates in more than 70 countries and maintains approximately 1.7 million elevators, escalators, and automatic door systems worldwide. KONE is renowned for its innovative, safe, and energy-efficient solutions, which are used in residential, office, hospitality, healthcare, and multifunctional developments, contributing to the sustainable development of urban environments and the comfortable movement of people.

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Yuglift LLC has been the official representative of the KONE brand in Armenia since 2006. The company specializes in the supply, installation, modernization, and maintenance of elevators, escalators, and moving walkways, delivering engineering solutions that meet international standards.

Over the years, Yuglift has completed numerous projects across Armenia, partnering with developers of residential, commercial, hospitality, and public buildings while maintaining the highest standards of quality, safety, and long-term reliability.

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.