Armenian Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan chaired the latest meeting of the interagency commission overseeing the organisation of the Tour of Armenia international professional cycling stage race, which is scheduled to take place in Armenia from Sept. 10 to 13.

The ministry said the meeting was attended by Chief Secretary of the Ministry Hasmik Hakobyan, Head of the Sports Policy Department Narine Shahbazyan, Director of the Sports Management Centre Khoren Zargaryan, Michele Napoli, Director of RCS, the company providing consulting services for the organisation of the race, as well as representatives of government agencies.

Andreasyan thanked members of the interagency commission, stressing that the successful staging of an international event of this scale is only possible through close cooperation among all stakeholders.

According to the ministry, participants discussed the race schedule, organisational matters and the finalisation of the routes, with the proposed course covering sections of roads in Yerevan and the Gegharkunik, Tavush and Lori regions.

The minister highlighted the importance of using the race to showcase Armenia’s natural landscapes, rich historical and cultural heritage, and the tourism potential of different parts of the country. It was noted that the Tour of Armenia presents an important opportunity not only to strengthen Armenia’s position on the international sporting calendar but also to promote the country’s tourism potential to a global audience. 

The Tour of Armenia international professional cycling stage race is expected to feature 18 teams, each consisting of six riders. More than 300 delegates, including athletes, team representatives, officials and other participants, are expected to travel to Armenia.

Armenia’s Prosecutor General Anna Vardapetyan concluded the high-level international conference of the Armenian Platform of the European Prosecutors’ Dialogue, emphasizing the need to further strengthen the role of prosecutors in upholding the rule of law.

In this context, the prosecutor general stressed the importance of continuous professional education and maintaining a disciplined approach to professional development.

“Learning something new is not about forcing yourself. Discipline is about filling your free time with meaningful and enriching new experiences,” Vardapetyan said.

She also invited prosecutors from across Europe who attended the conference in Yerevan to begin considering the agenda for the 2027 conference of the Armenian Platform of the European Prosecutors’ Dialogue, suggesting that discussions focus on the protection of victims’ rights.

Vardapetyan thanked the Council of Europe and the European Union for their reliable, effective and continuous cooperation with the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Armenia, noting that the partnership has evolved into a strategic one.

Maxime Longangué, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Yerevan, praised the results of the cooperation with Armenia’s Prosecutor General’s Office and said that the Armenian Platform of the European Prosecutors’ Dialogue provides a solid foundation for continuing that cooperation.

During the two-day conference, participants discussed current issues related to the investigation and prosecution of financial crimes, the identification, freezing, management and confiscation of illicit assets, as well as victim-centred justice.

The discussions also addressed emerging forms of financial crime, including fraud involving artificial intelligence, criminal schemes using crypto-assets, and effective mechanisms for detecting and investigating money laundering and corruption offences.

Participants also examined effective models for managing illicit assets, the case law of the European Court of Human Rights concerning unlawfully acquired property and assets, as well as international best practices in protecting the rights and interests of crime victims.

The thematic sessions were moderated by Evgeni Evgeniev, Head of the Economic Crime and Cooperation Division at the Council of Europe’s Directorate General of Human Rights and Rule of Law; Narine Gasparyan, Adviser to Armenia’s Prosecutor General; and Lilit Daneghyan, Deputy Head of the Cooperation Programmes Division of the Department for the Implementation of Human Rights, Justice and Legal Cooperation Standards at the Council of Europe.

The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 3 July, USD exchange rate down by 0.41 drams to 367.79 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 0.93 drams to 421.01 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.0375 drams to 4.7586 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 0.3 drams to 491.18 drams.

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

Gold price up by 416 drams to 48827 drams. Silver price up by 15.67 drams to 705.23 drams.

Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has congratulated the people of Belarus on the occasion of Independence Day.

The ministry published the following message on its X social media account:

On the occasion of Independence Day, Armenia conveys its warm congratulations and best wishes to the friendly people of Belarus.

Anna Hakobyan, wife of the Prime Minister of Armenia and Executive Director of the My Step Foundation, met with George Logothetis, Executive Chairman of Libra Group and President of the Libra Philanthropies charitable foundation, accompanied by Armenia’s Ambassador to the United States Narek Mkrtchyan and My Step Foundation Deputy Executive Director Talin Topalakian.

According to the My Step Foundation, the meeting focused on opportunities and prospects for bilateral cooperation.

The foundation noted that, alongside his business activities, Logothetis is actively engaged in charitable and social initiatives through Libra Philanthropies. 

He also works closely with academic institutions and international organisations in various countries.

Armenian Defence Minister Suren Papikyan attended the opening ceremony of the newly constructed headquarters building at a military training centre.

The Ministry of Defence announced the event in a statement.

Papikyan, for his part, wrote: “The best conditions for our servicemen.”

Armenian Defence Minister Suren Papikyan met and spoke with participants of a 25-day military training camp.

The Ministry of Defence announced the meeting in a statement.

The European Union Monitoring Mission in Armenia (EUMA) continues to conduct round-the-clock patrols in Armenia’s border regions.

The mission wrote on its X social media account:

EUMA wishes you a great weekend ahead. We continue patrolling around the clock in the border regions.

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has said that high-level talks held in Yerevan, Baku and Ankara have advanced cooperation on regional connectivity to its next phase.

Kos made the remarks in a post on her X social media account.

Good to be in Ireland with the College as its Council Presidency begins. We are looking forward to continue the solid pace of progress for enlargement with the Irish Presidency and support our candidate countries’ accession paths.

I have just returned from Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Armenia, where we moved our connectivity work into its next phase. It can help secure lasting peace in the South Caucasus while diversifying trade and energy routes between Europe and Asia.

Enlargement and connectivity go together. Both contribute to Europe’s stability, prosperity and security. 

She added that enlargement and connectivity go hand in hand, with both contributing to Europe’s stability, prosperity and security.

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos visited Armenia on July 2 together with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The 15th session of the Human Rights Dialogue between Armenia and the European Union was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia.

According to the Foreign Ministry, participants welcomed the steps taken to advance Armenia-EU partnership since the previous dialogue held in February 2025, based on shared principles, including democracy, human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law.

Armenia and the European Union held constructive discussions on a broad range of human rights issues.

Reviewing progress achieved since 2025, the sides exchanged views on recent developments in human rights policy in Armenia and the EU, as well as their respective priorities in the field. They also agreed to continue cooperation on human rights issues within the framework of the Armenia-EU Strategic Partnership Agenda and the implementation of the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan. The sides underlined the importance of promoting equality and combating discrimination.

The European Union noted Armenia’s adoption of the 2025-2028 Gender Equality Strategy and Action Plan on April 23, 2025. The Armenian side briefed the EU on steps being taken to adopt comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation. Both sides stressed the importance of continued efforts to combat domestic and gender-based violence, including violence against LGBTI persons, as well as hate speech and hate crimes. Special attention was paid to people in vulnerable situations, including Armenians displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh.

The European Union reaffirmed its continued support for and assistance with their integration. In the area of children’s rights, the EU welcomed the adoption of Armenia’s child protection legislative package in 2025 as a significant step towards strengthening the legal framework.

Armenia and the European Union also discussed the protection of fundamental freedoms, including the freedoms of assembly, association and _expression_, preserving an open space for civil society, ensuring a free and independent media environment, and strengthening the role of civil society.

The European Union also inquired about Armenia’s efforts to safeguard media independence. The sides also exchanged views on human rights in the armed forces.