The head of the opposition Strong Armenia parliamentary faction, Narek Karapetyan, has welcomed the speech by Vilen Gabrielyan, the ruling Civil Contract faction’s candidate for chair of the Committee on Defense and Security, particularly his willingness to cooperate with the opposition.

“We heard Mr. Gabrielyan’s speech, which was quite balanced, and we see that he is ready to work with the opposition on good ideas. Since this concerns the defense sector, we see that there may be positive opportunities for cooperation,” Karapetyan said during the hearing.

Earlier in his speech, Gabrielyan said that, if elected chair of the Committee on Defense and Security, he was ready to work jointly on issues raised by opposition lawmakers and find solutions to them.

President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan held a meeting with Egypt’s Ambassador Amal Afifi on the occasion of Egypt’s national holiday, Revolution Day.

President Khachaturyan congratulated the Ambassador and the friendly people of Egypt, asking her to convey his congratulations to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, according to a readout.

“Throughout the thousand-year history of our two peoples, there has never been a historical period marked by problems between the peoples of our two countries, and this is highly valued. It is particularly important because, following independence, we have continued the best traditions. Our government and authorities are interested in deepening, strengthening, and developing relations with Egypt,” the President said.

The Ambassador, in turn, thanked President Khachaturyan for the reception and congratulations.

During the meeting, the sides discussed the close cooperation established between Armenia and Egypt in the political, economic, cultural, tourism, and other sectors, emphasizing the importance of further expanding this cooperation and developing it in new areas.

Particular importance was attached to the potential for cooperation in the fields of high technology, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. It was noted that the exchange of experience and knowledge in these areas could lay the foundation for joint innovative projects and the development of new technological solutions, especially considering that an AI Factory was opened in Armenia just days ago.

The sides also highlighted the importance of deepening cooperation in education and science, emphasizing the need to expand scientific and educational programs and exchanges involving students, young professionals, and scientists.

The effective cooperation established between Armenia and Egypt on international platforms was highly appreciated. It was noted that cooperation based on mutual trust is important both for advancing the interests of the two countries and for further developing bilateral relations.

The importance of high-level reciprocal visits was emphasized, as they provide additional impetus to political dialogue and contribute to the expansion of economic, business, cultural, and tourism ties.

The meeting also addressed the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which will be held in Armenia in October. The President stressed the importance of Egypt’s participation at a high level, noting that the conference could create new opportunities for deepening cooperation between Armenia and Egypt on the climate agenda, sustainable development, green technologies, and innovation.

A newborn baby girl who was found wrapped in cloth near a residential building on Halabyan Street in Yerevan has survived and was stabilized by doctors after being admitted to hospital in serious condition.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, its Operational Management Center received an emergency call at 8:43 p.m. on August 10 reporting that a newborn baby was lying wrapped in cloth near Building 13 on Halabyan Street.

The report was forwarded to the police and emergency medical units. The baby was subsequently transported to the Republican Institute of Reproductive Health, Perinatology, Obstetrics and Gynecology under the escort of emergency medical personnel and police officers.

In a press release, the medical center said the newborn’s condition was assessed as serious upon admission by neonatologist L. S. Vardapetyan, who was on duty in the neonatal intensive care unit.

The baby’s body temperature was 30°C, and she showed signs of respiratory distress. She was immediately transferred to the intensive care unit, where doctors gradually raised her body temperature and provided respiratory support using a Bubble CPAP system.

The newborn weighs 2.55 kilograms and is 48 centimeters long. Doctors conducted the necessary examinations and initiated appropriate treatment.

“Doctors managed to stabilize the newborn’s condition,” the medical center said.

Meanwhile, police are taking the necessary measures to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The investigation is ongoing.

The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 11 August, USD exchange rate up by 0.19 drams to 366.07 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 0.58 drams to 422.23 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.0137 drams to 4.4217 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 0.07 drams to 494.08 drams.

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

Gold price down by 104 drams to 50896 drams. 

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed an order Tuesday dismissing Gevorg Meliksetyan, acting deputy minister of high-tech industry, effective August 17, his office reported.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed an order Tuesday dismissing Acting Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Arayik Yesayan, his office reported.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held a telephone conversation with Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius, the Armenian Prime Minister’s Office said.

Pashinyan congratulated Sinkevičius on his appointment as Prime Minister of Lithuania and wished him success in carrying out his responsibilities.

For his part, Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius also congratulated Nikol Pashinyan on his reappointment as Prime Minister of Armenia, expressing confidence that joint efforts would give new impetus to bilateral cooperation in the near future.

The two prime ministers discussed ongoing work aimed at the practical implementation of the Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership between Armenia and Lithuania.

Both sides emphasised the importance of expanding and deepening ties across various sectors.

They also discussed issues related to the development of Armenia-European Union relations.

United Arab Emirates Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan has congratulated Ararat Mirzoyan on his reappointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, the Armenian Foreign Ministry said.

“I would like to extend to Your Excellency my sincere congratulations and warmest wishes on your reappointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, wishing you good health and happiness, and the government and people of the friendly Republic of Armenia further progress and prosperity,” the UAE foreign minister said.

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.

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi has congratulated Ararat Mirzoyan on his reappointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, the Armenian Foreign Ministry said.

“I look forward to continuing our close cooperation in areas of mutual interest and working together to advance our shared commitment to peace, stability and international partnership,” the Jordanian foreign minister 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.

Vahan Kostanyan, Acting Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, who is on a working visit to Washington, met with representatives of leading U.S. think tanks, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia said in a statement.

During the meeting, Kostanyan presented Armenia’s key foreign policy priorities, addressed prospects for developing the Armenia-U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and outlined Armenia’s positions on regional and international developments.

Participants were also briefed on efforts to strengthen peace and stability in the region, particularly the implementation of bilateral and trilateral agreements reached within the framework of the Peace Summit held in Washington on August 8, 2025, including ongoing work to develop regional connectivity and economic cooperation.

The meeting continued with a question-and-answer session, during which a wide range of issues of interest to the participants were discussed.