Speaker of Parliament Ruben Rubinyan held a meeting on Friday with Argentina’s Ambassador to Armenia, Rafael Enrique Gonzalez Alemán.

The Ambassador congratulated Ruben Rubinyan on his election as Speaker of Parliament and wished him success in carrying out his important mission, according to a readout issued by the Parliament’s press service.

The sides expressed satisfaction with the high level of political dialogue between Armenia and Argentina, as well as the atmosphere of mutual respect and trust that has been established between the two countries.

They discussed interparliamentary relations between Armenia and Argentina. In this context, they emphasized the role of friendship groups and bilateral visits in further developing cooperation between the two countries.

The parties also discussed issues related to the development and expansion of economic ties between Armenia and Argentina.

The Forum on Strategic and Systemic Reforms in Sport was held at the Yerevan State Sports College of Olympic Reserve, marking the first conference organized in this format with the participation of key stakeholders in the sector.

The event opened with remarks by Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan.

Deputy Minister Arthur Martirosyan, Khoren Zargaryan, Director of the Sports Management Center, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, sports federations, sports schools in Yerevan and the regions of Armenia, and partner private organizations also attended the event.

Minister Andreasyan stressed the need to make such discussions regular, noting that there is an intention to turn the forum into an annual platform.

“This will be a good opportunity for various organizations and representatives active in the sports sector to come together, summarize the work carried out, discuss upcoming tasks and joint programs, as well as possibilities for implementing them more effectively,” she said, according to a ministry transcript published online. 

Andreasyan said that the forum’s agenda covers the Government’s main strategic directions in the sports sector, ranging from high-performance and mass sports to infrastructure development, public-private partnerships, the organization of international competitions, and digitalization of the sector.

State funding for the sports sector has increased significantly

The Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport presented the figures for state funding of the sector. “Compared with 2018, we have a 15-fold increase in state allocations for mass sports, while allocations for high-performance sports have increased almost fivefold. This means that state allocations directed toward sports have increased on a larger scale,” she said.

The minister emphasized that the increase in funding is directed toward specific targets and the implementation of programs, including the development of sports infrastructure. Such work has also been carried out at the Yerevan State Sports College of Olympic Reserve, where the forum was held. It was noted that during the college’s 55-year history, the volume of allocations made over just the past five years has been so large that allocations made before that period amounted to less than 10 percent of that figure.

“All this is creating new sports infrastructure and opportunities, which, on the one hand, create new conditions for sports education and, on the other hand, allow sports federations to cooperate with the college within the framework of their events and programs and make use of this infrastructure,” Zhanna Andreasyan said, pointing to the already operational weightlifting hall as a successful example. She noted that the facility has become a good platform for the Weightlifting Federation.

Zhanna Andreasyan added that last year alone, work was carried out at around 100 sports facilities through the ministry’s budget, subsidy programs, and other initiatives.

Around 100 art and sports schools to be built or reconstructed

According to the minister, the Government’s new program places greater emphasis on the development of sports infrastructure. Following the example of the programs for 300 schools and 500 kindergartens, a program is also planned for the construction and reconstruction of around 100 art and sports schools and their provision with new equipment.

“The state has never had a systematic and consistent policy aimed at improving and modernizing conditions in sports schools. We have had individual measures to address certain necessary and mainly urgent issues, but now, through this systematic and consistent program, we will be able to bring around 50 of our sports schools fully up to new, modern standards,” Zhanna Andreasyan said.

She said that modern infrastructure should not only contribute to the development of high-performance sports but also change society’s attitude toward healthy lifestyles and physical activity. In this context, Zhanna Andreasyan also addressed the attitude toward physical education that has developed in schools over the years. According to her, this has resulted in a situation where indicators of children’s physical health and participation in sports have declined significantly.

According to the minister, there are still schools today that do not have gyms, and as part of their comprehensive reconstruction, gyms are also being built from scratch. The Government’s new program aims to ensure that every child has access to sports infrastructure and the opportunity to participate in their preferred sport.

Sports complexes through public-private partnerships in enlarged communities

Zhanna Andreasyan also emphasized the involvement of the private sector, noting that the state does not intend to carry out the entire process of developing sports infrastructure on its own.

According to her, public-private cooperation is developing in two main directions. The first is the creation of sports infrastructure in cooperation with the private sector. Standard sports complexes are planned to be built in enlarged communities, and tenders have already been announced for the construction of three such facilities in Ararat, Yeghegnadzor, and Martuni. Once built by the state, the sports complexes are planned to be transferred to the private sector for fiduciary management.

The second direction is the financing of priority state programs at sports facilities owned or operated by the private sector. Children’s swimming lessons are already being funded, and the list of sports has been expanded. Zhanna Andreasyan said that private shooting ranges and cross-country skiing facilities may also be included in the program, as a result of which children’s training sessions will be funded by the state.

Around 25,000 schoolchildren participate in the Prime Minister’s Cups

In the context of developing mass sports, the minister also emphasized the creation of a competitive environment and the organization of the “Prime Minister’s Cup” competitions. According to her, around 25,000 schoolchildren participated in these competitions last year. In Zhanna Andreasyan’s assessment, the figure has improved compared with the first year, but it is still insufficient in the context of the total number of school-age children. The number of participants is expected to steadily increase by expanding the competitions and opportunities to participate in sports at schools.

At least two major international championships in Armenia every year

In the context of internationalizing sports, the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport said that one of the goals is to make Armenia a sustainable platform for hosting international competitions.

“Under the Government’s new program, we will set ourselves the task of hosting at least two European or World Championships in Olympic sports every year,” Zhanna Andreasyan said.

The minister emphasized that in recent years Armenia has accumulated considerable experience in hosting international competitions, while each new championship contributes to the development of organizational capabilities. As the most prominent example, she pointed to the European Shooting Championship, noting that despite the technical and organizational challenges, it was held at a high level.

Zhanna Andreasyan recalled that in 2027, Armenia is scheduled to host the 10th Francophone Games, featuring ten sports, as well as the European Gymnastics Championships, the World Weightlifting Championships, the European Karate Championships for athletes under 21, and other competitions.

New football stadium to be built in Ijevan, reconstruction planned in Vanadzor

Among the major international events, Zhanna Andreasyan also highlighted the 2029 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Ahead of the tournament, a stadium with a capacity of 10,000 spectators that meets UEFA Category 4 requirements is planned to be built in Ijevan, while the Vanadzor stadium is planned to be reconstructed.

At the same time, the minister emphasized that the internationalization of sports also entails ensuring international standards and the rules of fair play, joining relevant conventions, as well as improving the quality of refereeing and increasing the number of international-level Armenian referees, which, in her assessment, is of key importance.

Digitalization as a priority

Another important focus of the forum was the digitalization of the sports sector. According to Zhanna Andreasyan, the introduction of the Sports Management Information System is a priority.

“This entire volume of work cannot be carried out effectively if we do not have an appropriate set of digital tools that can both significantly make our lives easier and increase transparency and accountability from the perspective of the public,” the minister said.

Sports Expo to be held in cooperation with the private sector

A Sports Expo is planned to be held in Armenia in 2027 through public-private cooperation. The initiative aims to bring together on a single platform representatives of various sports, Armenian and internationally recognized athletes, as well as companies operating in the sports sector.

“This is an entirely new experience for us; nothing like this has been organized in Armenia. It is particularly encouraging that the proposal came from the private sector. This will be a very important impetus for the commercialization of sports,” the minister said, thanking all parties involved in the initiative for their joint work.

According to the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, various educational institutions will also be involved in the expo, providing them with an opportunity to increase their visibility, acquire new partners, and implement joint programs. The possibility of concluding the expo with a “Best of the Year” awards ceremony in the sports sector is also being discussed.

According to Khoren Abrahamyan, a representative of the “Sport Space Foundation,” negotiations are already underway to involve athletes of international caliber, and the project is planned to become a recurring event. He said that sports equipment, sportswear and nutrition, as well as other products and services related to sports and healthy lifestyles, will be presented at the expo. Representatives of well-known foreign companies are also planned to be invited to Armenia. Separate booths are planned for athletes, where they will have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, interact, and exchange experiences. The initiative will also include a charitable component.

In conclusion, the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport expressed hope that the first Forum on Strategic and Systemic Reforms in Sport would become a continuing platform for discussing the sector’s challenges, tasks, and development directions with the participation of the state, sports organizations, and the private sector.

The forum also addressed issues related to cooperation between the Sports Management Center and federations, the operation of fitness centers and new regulations for coach certification, as well as improving the quality of the organization of Armenian championships.

Albanian Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha has sent a congratulatory message to Ararat Mirzoyan on his reappointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, the Armenian Foreign Ministry said.

“On the occasion of your reappointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, I am pleased to extend to you my warmest congratulations and wish you good health and every success during your new mandate.

“I am confident that you will continue to advance Armenia’s reform agenda, deepen Armenia’s partnerships with European and international partners, and make an important contribution to ensuring peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

“I am confident that cooperation between the Republic of Albania and the Republic of Armenia will continue to develop successfully, and I look forward to working closely with you to further strengthen our bilateral relations and deepen our cooperation in international and multilateral fora, for the benefit of our two countries and peoples,” the Albanian Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs said in his message.

The Armenian government resigned on August 2, when the first session of the parliament formed following the June 7 parliamentary elections in Armenia began. Under the Constitution of Armenia, the government must submit its resignation to the President of the Republic on the day the first session of the newly elected parliament begins.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed the government’s resignation on August 2, and it was submitted to the Office of the President. The President accepted the government’s resignation, after which the Civil Contract party, which secured a majority in the newly formed parliament, nominated Nikol Pashinyan for the post of prime minister. On that basis, the President reappointed Pashinyan as Prime Minister.

On August 3, at the proposal of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan also appointed the ministers and deputy prime ministers. Ararat Mirzoyan was reappointed as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has appointed Aram Khachatryan as Deputy Minister of Economy of Armenia. The Prime Minister’s decision was published on the Armenian government’s e-gov.am website.

Aram Khachatryan studied at Erasmus University Rotterdam and was appointed Deputy Minister of Economy following the Prime Minister’s announcement that individuals who had studied at the world’s top 200 universities and had joined the Armenian government’s talent pool would be appointed to senior positions.

Aram Khachatryan’s biography is presented below.

Date and place of birth

October 6, 1985, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia

Education

2002–2006 — Bachelor’s degree in Law | Yerevan State University

2009–2011 — Master of Laws (LL.M.) | American University of ArmeniaMain areas of study: tax law, European law, intellectual property law and public international law

2015–2016 — Postgraduate Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Arbitration and Business Law | Erasmus University Rotterdam, NetherlandsNFP MA scholarship recipient. Main areas of study: international corporate and business law, contract drafting, commercial arbitration and international dispute resolution

Professional experience

Since August 13, 2026 — Deputy Minister of Economy of the Republic of Armenia

September 2012 – August 2026 — Chief Legal Counsel | Enterprise Incubator Foundation

Led the legal support for technology and engineering sector development programmes involving government bodies, international organisations, donors and private partners.Advised start-ups, SMEs and project teams on corporate structure, contracts, regulatory requirements, risk management and access to international markets.Participated in drafting legislation, government decisions, policy documents and institutional governance processes related to the IT and business sectors.Drafted and negotiated cooperation, grant, service, consultancy and commercial agreements supporting investment, innovation and ecosystem development programmes.Since 2022, has served as the Enterprise Incubator Foundation’s representative and board member on the SME Development Council.

February 2010 – August 2026 (concurrently) — Lawyer / Legal Consultant

Advised Armenian companies and entrepreneurs on corporate, commercial, contractual and dispute resolution matters.Assisted technology and engineering companies with market entry, operating models, commercial partnerships and regulatory compliance.Provided legal and corporate structuring support for sector development initiatives.Represented clients before courts, administrative authorities and arbitral tribunals, and conducted negotiations and handled complex commercial cases.

February 2011 – September 2012 — Legal Counsel | Cascade Insurance / INGO Armenia CJSC

Provided advice on contracts, insurance regulation, claims, disputes and legal risks, and represented the company before government bodies and courts.

September 2008 – February 2011 — Specialist, Litigation Division of the Legal Department | State Committee of the Real Estate Cadastre of the Republic of Armenia

Coordinated the representation of the Committee’s interests in administrative and civil cases before courts and represented the Cadastre in court proceedings.

Professional memberships and teaching

Arbitration — Co-founder and board member of the Association of Arbitrators of the Republic of Armenia; President since 2023

Professional status — Member of the Chamber of Advocates of the Republic of Armenia since 2010; advocate licence No. 1033

Teaching and publications — Lecturer at the Annual Arbitration Summer School since 2022; author of publications related to arbitration

Personal information

MarriedHas three children

Additional information

Languages: Russian and English

Digital skills: Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, AI tools

2006–2008 — Compulsory military service in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia

A professional with more than 15 years of experience in private law, with expertise in economic regulation, development of the technology and engineering sectors, corporate governance, investment programmes and public-private cooperation. He has experience supporting SMEs and start-ups, improving the regulatory environment, negotiating complex partnerships and translating policy objectives into practical solutions.

On June 13, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan invited graduates of the world’s top 200 universities to join the Armenian government’s talent pool.

On August 4, Pashinyan said 1,141 applications had already been received and that, following their review and preliminary selection, 459 candidates, or around 40% of applicants, had advanced to the second stage.

The Prime Minister also said that a decision had been made to appoint a group of applicants to senior positions and that the decisions would soon be implemented de jure.

By a decision of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, David Tavadyan has been appointed Chairman of the State Property Management Committee. The decision was published on the Armenian government’s e-gov.am website.

David Tavadyan studied at several leading universities around the world and was appointed Chairman of the State Property Management Committee following the Prime Minister’s announcement that individuals who had studied at the world’s top 200 universities and joined the Armenian government’s talent pool would be appointed to senior positions.

Below is David Tavadyan’s biography.

He was born on July 8, 1976, in Yerevan, Republic of Armenia.

From 1995 to 1998, Tavadyan studied Business Administration at Dawson College in Montreal, Canada, with a focus on accounting and taxation, and received a college diploma. From 1998 to 2001, he studied at HEC Montréal (L’École des Hautes Études Commerciales), receiving a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a specialisation in finance. From 2002 to 2004, he continued his studies at HEC Montréal, receiving a Master of Science degree in international finance and information technology.

In 2006, he earned the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation from the CFA Institute in the United States. In 2019, he completed the Business Analytics – Making Decisions Using Data course at the University of Cambridge. The same year, he completed the Oxford Blockchain Strategy Programme at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.

From 2001 to 2002 and from 2003 to 2004, Tavadyan worked as a Research Analyst at BCA Research Group in Montreal, Canada. From 2005 to 2007, he worked as an Investment Strategist at Commerzbank AG in London. From 2007 to 2010, he worked as Head of Derivatives at Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank in Moscow, and from 2010 to 2011 held the same position at Citi Corporate and Investment Bank in Moscow.

From 2011 to 2013, Tavadyan worked as Head of Emerging Markets at Commerzbank AG in London, and from 2013 to 2015 held the same position at Commerzbank AG in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. His areas of responsibility included Equity Capital Markets, Debt Capital Markets, Mergers & Acquisitions, Fixed Income, Currencies & Commodities. His geographical responsibilities covered Latin America, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Eastern Europe.

From 2016 to 2022, he worked as Managing Partner at the medical company Medkon in Moscow. From 2019 to 2026, he worked as Managing Partner at Kamertoon CJSC in Yerevan. In 2026, he worked as Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Alliance Solutions in Yerevan.

From 2020 to 2022, Tavadyan was one of the founders of The FUTURE ARMENIAN initiative and headed the work of the Futures Studio think tank on a voluntary basis.

He is married and has a daughter and a son.

As part of the 13th Fresco International Festival, Armenia will host, for the first time, a unique cultural event titled “Concert in Total Darkness.”

The festival is organized by the “Special Creative Center for Children” SNCO with the support of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of the Republic of Armenia, organizers said. 

The “Concert in Total Darkness” is more than just a musical event. It is a unique experience in which the audience will be immersed in complete darkness, without lights, screens or other visual stimuli.

One of the project’s key features is the reversal of roles. Audience members will be guided through the darkness by people with visual impairments, who will act as trusted guides. Normally, people with visual impairments have to adapt to an environment designed for the sighted majority. During this concert, however, the situation will be reversed: sighted audience members will find themselves in an environment where they must rely on their other senses and the assistance of a guide to navigate and move safely.

“Inclusion is one of the key missions of the Fresco Festival, and this project provides an opportunity to turn that idea into a direct experience. By finding themselves in complete darkness, audience members can better understand the importance of accessibility and adaptations in their surroundings. At the same time, the experience allows participants to rethink their everyday environment and gain a better understanding of the challenges faced by people with visual impairments,” said festival artistic director Anna Karapetyan.

During the concert, the audience will not be able to see the stage or know who the performing musicians are. The identities of the performers will be revealed only at the end of the concert, when the lights are turned back on. Thus, throughout the event, the focus will remain solely on the music and the auditory experience, without the influence of the performers’ appearance, stage lighting or other visual stimuli.

The “Concert in Total Darkness” will take place on August 26 at 7:00 p.m. at the Hall of the Union of Architects at 17 Baghramyan Avenue. Admission is free.

The 13th Fresco International Festival invites everyone to take part in this unique experience.

Armenia will begin printing and issuing new biometric identity documents to citizens in autumn 2026, including biometric passports and ID cards, as well as new versions of almost all other types of identity documents, including ID cards issued to refugees and convention travel documents. The changes will also cover documents establishing residence status, a senior Interior Ministry official said.

Nelly Davtyan, Acting Head of the Migration and Citizenship Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, made the announcement at a press conference.

She said approximately 185,000 old-style passports were printed in the first half of 2026. The figure was 174,000 last year. In 2024, the number of old-style passports printed was significantly higher, at around 270,000, because approximately 100,000 documents had been printed in 2022 and were due to expire in 2024.

According to Davtyan, demand for ID cards has increased, driven by the requirements related to income declaration and electronic contracts. Approximately 160,000 ID cards were printed in the first half of this year, compared with roughly the same number printed throughout all of 2024.

“In the first phase, we will have 14 offices opened by a private operator. We want to set a new standard for the delivery of public services in our country through these new offices and a new format, and break the stereotype that the quality of passport services is low and that the conditions and infrastructure are outdated.

“In fact, here we will demonstrate groundbreaking innovations and make investments in about two months. The conditions for obtaining documents will change. If our biometric passports issued before the beginning of 2024 cost 25,000 drams, the new biometric document, which is fully competitive globally in terms of its security features and meets the highest standards currently in force in the EU, will cost 28,650 drams, while the ID card will cost 5,950 drams. The passport will be issued for 10 years, while the ID card will be valid for five years.

“Another new feature is that, at a parent’s request, minors under the age of 16 will be able to obtain an ID card. Starting at age 16, under the law, which will enter into force by November 1, our new identity document will be mandatory,” Davtyan said.

The passport will be issued to citizens who have an ID card. There will be no requirement to replace an existing passport: individuals will be free to apply for and obtain a biometric passport regardless of the validity period remaining on their current document.

Even if someone has just obtained an old-style passport valid for 10 years, they will be able to replace it immediately with the new one. The same applies to ID cards.

If a citizen wishes to continue using an old-style passport already obtained for the full 10-year validity period, there will be no problem. The state will simply stop printing old-style passports from autumn 2026.

Documents will be issued 14 working days after an application is submitted. Expedited services will also be available, with details to be announced later.

“Significant work has also been carried out to reform the population state registry. We are currently at the software-development stage. The relevant law has been adopted and will enter into force on January 1, 2027.

“The law is intended to complement the new biometric system by creating an entirely new-quality ecosystem for managing a person’s legal identity and, more broadly, for identifying individuals.

“Starting November 1 of this year, the processes for granting residence status will also be digitized, while from January 1 of next year, the process for submitting citizenship applications will be digitized.

“Essentially, from January 1, 2027, we will be able to say that all processes falling under the Migration and Citizenship Service have undergone positive changes: they have either been digitized or have undergone large-scale reforms,” Davtyan concluded.

Lydian Armenia press release 

The results of the heavy equipment operator training program launched in preparation for the operation of the Amulsar mine are already taking shape. The first group of participants to complete the training has received internationally recognized certificates.

This certification milestone marks an important achievement in the participants’ professional development while also setting a high standard for the next participants joining the program.

During the certificate award ceremony, Hayk Aloyan, Founder and Managing Director of Lydian Armenia, noted that the internationally recognized certification enables operators to work not only at mines across Armenia but also abroad, including at some of the world’s leading mining companies. At the same time, he expressed hope that the operators would not need to seek employment outside Amulsar.

“Please always keep safety in mind. Your safety is our highest priority. I hope that your example will inspire others to join and complete this training program,” he concluded.

Throughout the training, emphasis was placed on three key areas: knowledge, skills, and attitude toward work.

The operators are all from the Amulsar surrounding communities. They range in age from 29 to 52. Seeing a 52-year-old embrace the opportunity to learn something new serves as a powerful source of motivation and inspiration for others.

The training program is being implemented by Mota-Engil, a partner of Lydian Armenia.

Lydian Armenia’s training programs will continue, providing new participants with opportunities to acquire in-demand professional skills, develop their capabilities, and prepare for employment in the mining industry in line with international standards. The Company will continue to invest in developing professional capacity and building a highly skilled and qualified workforce.

The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 14 August, USD exchange rate down by 0.04 drams to 365.82 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 0.68 drams to 422.74 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.0006 drams to 4.3644 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 1.37 drams to 494.92 drams.

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

Gold price down by 636 drams to 51433 drams. Silver price down by 15.32 drams to 763.96 drams.

As a result of action taken by the Prosecutor General’s Office of Armenia, another land plot located in Hrant Matevosyan Park has been returned to the possession of the Vanadzor community.

The Public Relations Department of the Prosecutor General’s Office said that studies conducted by the Lori Regional Prosecutor’s Office at the request of the Lori Regional Administration found that 22 entities leasing and effectively possessing areas within Hrant Matevosyan Park in Vanadzor were using them in breach of their contracts and for purposes other than those intended. As a result, the park had fallen into a state of disrepair.

Following the studies conducted by the Lori Regional Prosecutor’s Office, a motion was submitted to the Vanadzor Municipality seeking the termination of lease and gratuitous-use agreements concluded with the 22 entities.

The Prosecutor General’s Office said that, as a result of the motion, on August 14, 2026, a legal entity’s leasehold right to another 332.2-square-metre land plot located at 25/1-1 Lusavorich Street within the park, with a cadastral value approximating its market value of AMD 3.49 million, was terminated. The land plot was returned to the possession of the community.