Robert William, a lifelong Glendale resident and veteran member of the Glendale Police Department, was officially appointed on June 23 as the department’s 21st chief of police, becoming the first Armenian-American to lead the agency.

“The City of Glendale is proud to announce the appointment of Robert William as Chief of Police for the Glendale Police Department, following his successful service as Interim Chief since December 2025,” the city authorities announced in a press release.

The Armenian Report media outlet described the appointment as “a moment of pride for Glendale’s Armenian community and the city at large.”

“I am proud to have become the first ethnic Armenian police chief of Glendale. However, my goal was never to become the first Armenian police chief. My goal has been to become a police chief who can keep the city safe,” he told USArmenia TV.

According to him, his Armenian identity has always played an important role in his life.

“I do not have an Armenian surname. My father is Assyrian and Armenian, my mother is Armenian. In our home, we only spoke Armenian,” the newly appointed police chief noted.

The newly appointed police chief also highly praised cooperation with the Police of Armenia and expressed hope that it will further expand in the future.

A lifelong Glendalian and dedicated public servant, Chief William brings more than 24 years of experience, leadership, and commitment to the Glendale community. His appointment follows a distinguished career within the Glendale Police Department that began as a Police Cadet before he was sworn in as a Police Officer in 2003. Over the course of his career, he has served in operational, investigative, administrative, and executive leadership assignments, earning a reputation as a thoughtful, forward-looking leader committed to both public safety and community trust.

“Chief William represents the very best of the Glendale Police Department,” said City Manager Roubik Golanian. “Throughout his career, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership, integrity, and the ability to navigate complex challenges while advancing the department’s long-term vision. I am confident that under Chief William’s leadership, the Glendale Police Department will continue to set the standard for professionalism in public service.”

“Chief William’s appointment reflects the strength and professionalism of the Glendale Police Department,” said Mayor Ardy Kassakhian. “As someone who has dedicated his entire career to serving Glendale, he understands our community, our values, and our expectations. His leadership has already helped shape the department’s future, and I am confident Glendale will continue to thrive under his direction.”

As Chief of Police, William’s priorities include strengthening leadership at every level of the organization, investing in employee development and wellness, embracing innovation and emerging technologies, enhancing accountability and transparency, and continuing to build strong partnerships throughout the community. He has also cultivated strong relationships with regional public safety partners, helping ensure Glendale remains engaged in important countywide public safety initiatives and discussions.

A graduate of the FBI National Academy and the Senior Management Institute for Police, Chief William holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has indicated that he does not plan a reshuffle in his next cabinet, which is expected to be formed soon following the victory of his Civil Contract party in the parliamentary elections, where it secured a majority.

“I do not see the need for changes in the composition of the cabinet—deputy prime ministers and ministers—and I do not plan any,” Pashinyan said at a press briefing when asked whether he plans such changes.

“I think some changes may take place at other levels of the government,” he added.

Armenia is set to introduce a nationwide IMEI code registration and monitoring system aimed at regulating the mobile phone market and curbing the circulation of illegally imported devices, with Prime Minister Pashinyan announcing the “end of the black market era” for mobile phones.

The Cabinet approved a bill on amendments and additions to the Law on Electronic Communications, envisaging a unified IMEI code registration and monitoring system, under which only legally imported or properly registered mobile phones will be activated on mobile networks.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at the Cabinet meeting that the mobile phone market in Armenia is one of the largest shadow markets and that systemic and civilized solutions are needed to address it.

“The era of the black market for mobile phones is coming to an end. No phone whose legal import is not confirmed will be allowed to operate in the territory of the Republic of Armenia,” Pashinyan said.

According to the Prime Minister, the main target of the regulation is the business sector and the market. At the same time, separate rules will be established for individuals to ensure that no issues arise when importing phones for personal use.

“There is no need for any tension for individuals. There will be regulations on how often a person can import a phone for personal use—once a year or once every two years,” the Prime Minister noted.

Pashinyan said the draft will also be discussed with industry representatives and parliamentary partners, and hearings will be held, but the decision will not be delayed.

“The decision must enter into force on January 1, 2027, and it must work,” he stressed.

According to the government, the lack of IMEI code control in Armenia contributes to the circulation of undeclared, counterfeit, or altered IMEI mobile phones. This leads to tax losses, disruption of market competition, as well as increased technical and security risks.

The proposed regulation envisages the creation of a unified state IMEI system and its interoperability with databases of customs authorities, telecom operators, and other government bodies. The system will allow cross-checking of customs data, operator activations, and international registries, permitting activation only of legally imported or properly registered devices.

The draft also provides individuals with the opportunity to register the IMEI code of their new mobile phones online.

In addition, importing and selling mobile phones as a business activity will only be allowed upon notification of the authorized body. According to the government, this activity has so far been carried out without clear regulations and restrictions.

The government believes that the introduction of the system will help reduce the shadow economy, improve tax administration, regulate the mobile device market, protect consumers, and prevent phone theft and fraud.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has dismissed opposition claims that the results of the June 7 parliamentary elections are illegitimate, insisting that electoral legitimacy is determined by the people and is reflected in the official results.

“Let’s not forget that there is one source of legitimacy, and that is the people. It is the people who assess whether their choice has taken place or not. If anyone has even sufficient observational skills, they will easily notice with the naked eye that the people have confirmed their choice, and this is reflected in the official election results,” the Prime Minister said at a press briefing.

When asked about his position on the fact that seven political forces have challenged the election results in the Constitutional Court, Pashinyan said he would not comment on the matter, as he does not consider it appropriate.

“Our positions will be presented by our team members in the Constitutional Court, because I have received a letter from the Constitutional Court stating that Civil Contract has been involved in the Constitutional Court proceedings as a third party,” the Prime Minister said.

Motions to the Constitutional Court seeking to annul the results, citing alleged fraud, were filed by the Strong Armenia bloc, Wings of Unity party, Democracy, Law and Order party, Prosperous Armenia party, the Rally for the Republic party, the Armenia Alliance, and the New Power Reformist Party.

Only three political forces entered parliament following the June 7 vote, according to the Central Electoral Commission’s final results.

According to the commission, the Civil Contract party won 49.7% of the vote, securing a majority in the next parliament, while the Strong Armenia bloc came in second with 23.2%. The Armenia Alliance won 9.9%.

The ruling Civil Contract party, led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, will hold 64 seats, while businessman Samvel Karapetyan’s Strong Armenia bloc will have 29 seats. The Armenia Alliance, led by former President Robert Kocharyan, will hold 12 seats.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has warned that any attempts at any level in Armenia aimed at continuing the Karabakh movement could trigger reciprocal responses from Azerbaijan.

Pashinyan was asked at a press briefing why the narrative of so-called “Western Azerbaijan” and the “return of Azerbaijanis” has been reactivated in Azerbaijan despite the peace between the two countries.

The Armenian PM lambasted the opposition for the developments.

He said that as long as opposition lawmakers keep Karabakh flags near their seats in parliament and such rhetoric continues in Armenia, it will continue in a mirrored form, as these are interdependent factors.

“I am saying that all of this has no practical or applicable significance and will not have any practical application as long as we are in power and clearly express our position on this issue. Why am I saying this? The leader of the Armenia Alliance [ex-president Robert Kocharyan] says that the Republic of Armenia should not be satisfied with 29,743 square kilometers—so what should it do then? Everyone hears what is happening in Armenia and what people are saying, don’t they?

Now, any attempt to continue the Karabakh movement at other levels will lead to mirror responses.

This is why I continue to insist, and we will take all possible steps to ensure that all attempts to continue the Karabakh movement are stopped, also because the people of Armenia have voted in favor of this vision, and this is a very important factor. We will treat such attempts as an effort to drag the people of Armenia into a new [gamble], and within the limits of our authority and the law, we will do everything to stop it,” Pashinyan said.

He added that he is not blaming anyone, but simply wants the context and the cause-and-effect relations of the issue to be clear.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan confirmed on Thursday that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will soon visit Armenia, days after Politico first reported the upcoming trip.

Pashinyan told reporters after the Cabinet meeting that one of the important agenda items during von der Leyen’s visit will be facilitating access for Armenian agricultural products to the EU market.

“Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan recently participated in the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels, which has created preconditions for new opportunities in this direction. There is a possibility that Armenia will have exceptional opportunities in this regard. I hope that we will manage to finalize the relevant project with the President of the European Commission, and during her visit to Yerevan we will make a joint statement on this,” Pashinyan said.

Speaking about prospects for regional cooperation, the Prime Minister stressed that Armenia will inevitably be integrated into regional projects within the framework of the TRIPP initiative.

“It is time for the countries of the South Caucasus to think of the region as a single common space with many shared interests. Of course, each country has its own national interests and vision, but I believe there is also a broad set of common interests that connect us, and we must continue working in that direction,” the Prime Minister said.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has suggested that the effectiveness of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is called into question if its core principles—particularly the free movement of goods, services, labor, and capital—are not fully functioning in practice.

Asked at a press briefing whether a possible “freezing” of relations with the EAEU could occur due to Russian trade restrictions, similar to what happened with the CSTO, the Prime Minister referred to his earlier remarks during the Cabinet meeting.

“The EAEU has four principles—free movement of goods, services, labor, and capital. If there is no such free movement, then there is no EAEU,” the Prime Minister said.

According to Pashinyan, if the issue is temporary, it can be understood, but if it continues for a long period, it takes on a different meaning.

“Okay, there may be a problem for one month, two months, three months, but in the fourth month, if the problem still exists, it means there is no EAEU. If the EAEU declares that it does not exist, what are we supposed to do?” Pashinyan said.

The Armenian government is discussing support measures for exporters amid restrictions on Armenian goods in Russia, with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan raising concerns over the functioning of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and warning that such trade barriers could seriously undermine the bloc’s core principles of the free movement of goods and services.

He emphasized at the Cabinet meeting that Armenia is pursuing export diversification while continuing engagement within the EAEU, but expects clear answers from the bloc regarding recent developments affecting trade flows.

Pashinyan warned that export restrictions targeting Armenian goods could have a fallout on perceptions of the bloc in other EAEU member states.

Warning of the potential union-wide fallout from Moscow’s decision, which he labeled a “misunderstanding,” PM Pashinyan said that restrictions imposed by Russia on imports from Armenia, as well as on the transit of Armenian goods through its territory to other EAEU countries, will at the very least cause serious concern in a number of EAEU member states.

The implementation of the TRIPP project is currently in an active “working phase,” and there are no political or financial obstacles to its realization, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said.

“There is a continuous working process. If not on a daily basis, then at least weekly, engineering, design, financial, and logistical issues are being discussed. In other words, the process is moving forward, and if technical issues do not interfere, we want to see construction work on the ground already this year,” the Prime Minister said at a press briefing.

Asked about Armenia–US cooperation on TRIPP, Pashinyan said that an important bilateral document is expected to be ratified in the near future, after which the process will move into its practical implementation phase.

Armenia and the United States signed a framework agreement earlier in June on strategic cooperation concerning the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP).

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Thursday that his Civil Contract party will hold a closed vote to determine who will serve as Speaker in the next parliament.

Speaking at a press briefing, Pashinyan was asked about media reports claiming that the ruling party is considering incumbent Speaker Alen Simonyan, Deputy Speaker Ruben Rubinyan, and majority leader Hayk Konjoryan.

Pashinyan said that the Civil Contract party will hold a meeting today, where a decision will be made and one of the nominated candidates will be selected through a closed secret ballot, after which the decision will be made public.

“Our plan is that at today’s meeting we will hear the candidates, ask questions, exchange views, and make a decision. I will cast my vote in a closed format, like my fellow colleagues,” Pashinyan said.

Ruben Rubinyan has been nominated as the Civil Contract party’s candidate for the position of Speaker of the National Assembly following discussions and a closed secret ballot at a meeting of the party’s governing board.

Armenian Prime Minister and Civil Contract Chairman Nikol Pashinyan announced the decision to journalists after the meeting.