Armenian National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan delivered his farewell address from the parliamentary rostrum, thanking lawmakers and the National Assembly staff for their joint work.

Simonyan said the years they spent together in parliament had been historic and filled with challenges, but that he had never doubted his colleagues.

“We made history together, and I am sincerely very proud of that. I am proud that we worked together, and proud that we went through those difficult times together,” Simonyan said.

The speaker also highlighted parliament’s international engagement, saying that the official visits, negotiations, and meetings carried out jointly had been of historic significance.

Simonyan thanked members of parliament as well as all departments of the National Assembly staff.

He also wished success to Ruben Rubinyan, the nominee for speaker of the new parliament.

“I wish Mr. Rubinyan, my friend, every success. May he become the second Speaker of the National Assembly to serve a full and stable five-year term,” Simonyan said.

He also apologized if he had been unfair to anyone during his tenure.

“If I have been unfair to anyone in the course of my work, I ask for your forgiveness. You all know that I care deeply about each and every one of you and how important you are to me. Glory to our fallen heroes, and long live the Republic of Armenia,” he said.

Earlier this week, the executive board of the ruling Civil Contract party selected Ruben Rubinyan in a secret ballot as its nominee for speaker of the newly elected parliament. Simonyan and Civil Contract parliamentary faction leader Hayk Konjoryan were also among the candidates.

On July 2, Simonyan announced that he would relinquish his parliamentary mandate and would not serve in the newly elected parliament.

Yerevan is set to host the FIBA U16 EuroBasket Division C tournament.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the competition, Narine Shahbazyan, Head of the Sports Policy Department at Armenia’s Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, and Artur Nazaryan, Secretary General of the Basketball Federation of Armenia, discussed the significance of the event.

Armenia is hosting a European youth basketball tournament for the second consecutive year. Last year, the country staged the FIBA U20 EuroBasket Division B tournament.

“Building on the experience of last year’s FIBA U20 EuroBasket Division B tournament, as well as the investments made by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport to upgrade the Sports Management Center, we have been able to host this tournament as well. Experience has shown that such events have a positive impact on the country’s reputation, the development of basketball, and the economy. We are now working to maintain this momentum,” Nazaryan said.

He added that the Basketball Federation of Armenia aims to continue hosting similar tournaments in the coming years.

Speaking about Armenia’s national team, Nazaryan noted that the squad includes players from Armenia, the United States, and Russia.

“We have a highly competitive team. Reaching the final would already be a positive result for us, and why not aim to win the tournament,” he said.

Nazaryan also expressed confidence that Armenia has a strong chance of hosting a European women’s youth basketball tournament in the coming years.

Narine Shahbazyan noted that basketball is one of the most widely played team sports in Armenia after football.

“Our goal is also to improve sports infrastructure through events like this. Expectations for the national team are high, as victory would allow it to advance to the next stage,” she said.

Nearly all participating teams have already arrived in Yerevan. All matches will be played at the Sports Management Center. Admission is free.

Nine teams are taking part in the tournament.

Armenia’s National Assembly has passed in the second and final reading a package of amendments to the Electoral Code and the Law on Referendums, introducing new eligibility requirements for voting.

The legislative package was presented by Alkhas Ghazaryan, an MP from the ruling Civil Contract faction, who co-authored the initiative with fellow Civil Contract MPs Arusyak Manavazyan, Hasmik Hakobyan, and Arusyak Julhakyan.

Ghazaryan said the package had been revised based on the government’s recommendations.

Under the adopted amendments, Armenian citizens who have reached the age of 18 by election day will be eligible to vote in parliamentary elections only if they have been physically present in Armenia for at least one year (366 days) during the previous two years (730 days), calculated as of the 48th day before election day. In the case of snap parliamentary elections, the calculation will be made as of the 28th day before the vote.

For local elections, eligible voters must be at least 18 years old, have been registered as residents of the respective community for at least six months before election day, and have been physically present in Armenia for at least one year during the previous two years, under the same calculation method.

The amendments also clarify periods that will not be counted as absence from Armenia. These include time spent abroad on official duty by public servants, residence abroad with a family member serving in a diplomatic or consular mission, and studies at foreign higher education institutions.

The legislative package also introduces other changes related to the compilation and maintenance of voter lists.

The proposed changes come in the wake of Armenia’s parliamentary elections held on June 7, during which concerns were raised over reports that large numbers of Armenian citizens were expected to travel from Russia to participate in the vote and potentially influence the outcome. During the election campaign, media reports claimed that Russia was interested in facilitating the arrival of up to 100,000 Armenian citizens to support pro-Russian opposition forces. Those claims were part of the political debate surrounding the elections.

Armenia’s National Assembly has discussed a bill to ratify an agreement between the governments of Armenia and Kazakhstan on the reciprocal allocation of land plots for the construction of diplomatic mission buildings.

The bill was presented during an extraordinary parliamentary session by Deputy Foreign Minister Mnatsakan Safaryan.

Under the agreement, the Armenian side will lease to Kazakhstan for 49 years a 0.33-hectare land plot located on Admiral Isakov Avenue in Yerevan for the construction of the buildings and facilities of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The annual lease fee for the land plot will be 1 Armenian dram.

In turn, Kazakhstan will lease to Armenia for 49 years a 0.33-hectare land plot on Arganaty Street in Astana for the construction of the buildings and facilities of the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia.

The annual lease fee for that land plot will be 1 Kazakh tenge.

Safaryan noted that the party leasing the land will not be entitled, without the host state’s explicit written consent, to expand, sell, encumber, transfer ownership of, or lease or sublease the property to a third party.

According to the deputy foreign minister, the agreement will help deepen bilateral political dialogue and practical cooperation between Armenia and Kazakhstan, while also enhancing the effectiveness of the two countries’ diplomatic missions.

The positive opinion of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Relations was presented by committee member Eduard Aghajanyan.

Armenia’s Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport and the French-language magazine Le Courrier d’Erevan have signed a memorandum of cooperation ahead of the 10th International Francophonie Games, which Armenia will host in 2027.

The memorandum was signed by Minister Zhanna Andreasyan and Zara Nazaryan, Director of the Francomedia non-governmental organization.

According to the ministry, the partnership is aimed at expanding French-language media coverage in several areas, including:

• cultural, educational, and international cooperation between Armenia and Francophone countries;
• the 2027 International Francophonie Games, including preparations for the event;
• Armenia’s strategic policies in the fields of culture and education, as well as the implementation of joint projects.

Through the courrier.am platform, Francomedia will provide extensive French-language coverage of the ministry’s cultural and educational initiatives, Francophonie-related events, and the 2027 International Francophonie Games. The initiative also aims to engage young journalists and support the development of French-language journalism in Armenia.

The project will introduce new technological and editorial solutions, transforming courrier.am into a leading platform for cultural and educational content through the production and distribution of new video and audio materials.

According to the ministry, the planned technological upgrades are expected to increase the platform’s visibility and accessibility, strengthen dialogue between Armenia and Francophone countries, and promote greater international visibility for Armenia and its cultural heritage.

Armenia has launched its annual professional development program for Diaspora Armenian teachers, bringing together about 60 educators from 11 countries.

Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan, Deputy Minister Artur Martirosyan, Chair of the Language Committee Siranush Dvoyan, Director of the National Center for Education Development and Innovation Foundation (NCEDI) Zhanna Harutyunyan, representatives of partner institutions, and teachers took part in the opening ceremony.

Andreasyan thanked the participants for their commitment, noting that choosing to dedicate part of their summer break to professional development and the exchange of experience reflects a high level of responsibility and dedication.

“In you, we see people who preserve and promote the Armenian language, history and culture in different countries and diverse linguistic and cultural environments. Through your work, you help strengthen the connection between Armenians living around the world and their homeland. This is an extremely important mission, and the Republic of Armenia is committed to continuously supporting and encouraging your efforts,” she said.

Andreasyan noted that the ministry continues working with Diaspora Armenian teachers even after the training program ends by providing ongoing professional support, consultations and opportunities for exchanging experience, including through online formats.

She also encouraged participants to remain actively engaged in the professional network established through the program, describing it as an important platform for continuous professional development, communication and the exchange of best practices.

According to the minister, the training program for Diaspora Armenian teachers is one of the ministry’s key initiatives. She stressed the importance of receiving participants’ feedback on both organizational and academic aspects of the program to further improve it.

“Training is a process of mutual learning. We also have much to learn from you. You work in environments that are often only theoretical for us, while you face those realities every day. We can share methodological approaches and theoretical knowledge, but you have invaluable practical experience and expertise in working within the Diaspora. Your experience, observations and feedback help us make these training programs more meaningful and effective,” Andreasyan said.

She expressed hope that the program would also give participants an opportunity to rediscover Armenia, noting that it includes a wide range of cultural events and educational visits to historical and cultural sites.

“I am convinced that there are always new places to discover, see and experience in Armenia, and I am confident that the impressions you gain during these days will further strengthen your connection with your homeland,” she said, wishing the participants a successful program.

The annual training program for Diaspora Armenian teachers, organized by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, is being held from July 1 to 21 at Yerevan’s No. 67 Basic School named after Yeghishe Charents.

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.