The conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Nikol Pashinyan was good and long, said Dmitry Peskov, press secretary of the Russian President, reports RIA Novosti. He added that the meeting of the leaders of the two countries was face to face. On Sunday, within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in China, Putin had a meeting with Nikol Pashinyan. "The conversation with Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan just ended. It was a very good, long conversation," Peskov told reporters.

The Republic of Armenia has been notified of the investment dispute in connection with the actions taken against the businessman, philanthropist Samvel Karapetyan and the company "Hayastani Elektrischen Zyrets". "Tashir" group of companies issued a statement about that today. The announcement states that the notification of the investment dispute is of a warning nature. This official notification was sent by Samvel Karapetyan and his family members to the state authorities of the Republic of Armenia. It is based on the 1995 Agreement between Armenia and Cyprus. on the investment promotion and protection agreement signed on January 18. It is noted that this agreement gives investors the opportunity to apply for international arbitration in case of violation of their rights by the state. Such processes have a negative impact on the investment attractiveness of the country. In the statement published by the "Tashir" group of companies, it is mentioned that the Karapetyan family makes demands due to the Prime Minister's campaign against Samvel Karapetyan and his business. "First of all, Armenian state officials did not provide fair and equal treatment, as well as full protection and security for the Karapetyan family and their investments in Armenia. Secondly, in violation of the agreement, the RA state bodies are taking steps to establish control over HEP, which is equivalent to confiscation of investments. If the relevant bodies continue to violate their obligations under the agreement and international law, Armenia will face international arbitration proceedings and the obligation to pay full compensation as a result," the statement said. In the notice, the shareholders claim that the actions of the RA officials are arbitrary, discriminatory, politically motivated and aimed at depriving the Karapetyan family of their property through the HEC. According to the shareholders, these actions violate the 1995 a number of obligations assumed by the agreement signed between Armenia and Cyprus on January 18, which the state must fulfill.

Armenian wines were highly appreciated at the IWSC 2025 international competition, which was held in Georgia within the framework of cooperation with the Gurjaani Wine Festival and the National Wine Agency of Georgia. The competition attracted more than 400 entries, including wines and spirits from Georgia, Armenia and other countries in the region. Armenia has won more than 30 medals, 4 of which are gold, which is a significant achievement for our country. Gold was awarded to: - Anamor Grand Reserve 100% Areni Noir Red Dry 2021 (Manukyan Brandy Factory) - Awarded 96 points for complex aromas of dark cherry, pomegranate, blueberry and subtle accents of sage and white pepper. The wine stood out for its soft texture and balanced taste. - For Noah of Areni Noa Reserve 2021, the judges noted a complex aromatic profile with notes of blackberry, ripe plum and sweet cherry, complemented by hints of leather and tarragon. - Moossah Red Dry Wine Areni Noir 2022 (Winged Lion) for the delicacy of taste and the harmony of berry and herbal notes. - Amber By Moossah 2022 (Winged Lion) for a rich aroma of honey, dried fruit and floral notes. The autochthonous type of "Aren" has become a key element of the success of the Armenian participants. The judges noted that it demonstrated its versatility through a wide range of styles, from the classic to the more innovative, with the best examples standing out for their elegance, balance and complexity of flavour. Armenian winemakers confirmed their high level, continuing to strengthen their positions in the international arena.

2021 in the Gavar Department of the RA Police. On June 9, the preliminary investigation of the criminal case initiated by Article 154.1, Part 1 and Part 4, Clauses 1, 2 of the same article and investigated by the Special Investigation Service of the RA confirmed that Sonya Zakoyan, the secretary of the regional office of the "Prosperous Armenia" party in Gavar, obtained a preliminary agreement with the coordinator of the work of the same office, for the special elections of the RA National Assembly of the "Prosperous Armenia" party. with Aramais Aproyan, the deputy candidate number 83 of the list, regarding paying bribes in the form of food to about eight dozen voters to vote for the mentioned party during the elections. The Prosecutor's Office informs NEWS.am that A. At Aproyan's request, he placed the various food items that he had previously purchased according to the batch of the same products in individual packages and moved them from the party's regional office in Gavar to his apartment in Gavar in order to avoid possible detection. After that S. Zakoyan, the head of the same office, A. with Aproyan, with prior agreement, according to the pre-made list and the pre-arranged agreement with the voters included in it, in 2021. On June 8 and 9, 31 voters from Gavar region of Gegharkunik marz of RA who visited the said apartment gave bribes in the form of different types of food worth about AMD 5420 or AMD 10840 each. During the investigation A. Aproyan and S. Zakoyan was charged under the 1st and 2nd points of the 4th part of Article 154.2 of the RA Criminal Code. On December 17, 2021, S. The part concerning Zakoyan was separated from the criminal case and sent to the court of general jurisdiction of Gegharkunik marz with an indictment. A. was also sent to court with a guilty verdict. The criminal case regarding Aproyan. During the judicial investigation S. On the basis of Zakoyan's petition, in accordance with the legal regulations of the RA Criminal Procedure Code, a consent procedure was carried out, as a result of which the court in 2022 On May 4, S. made a guilty verdict. Declaring Zakoyan guilty for committing the criminal act he was charged with. In accordance with Article 70 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia, the sentence was not applied conditionally, with a four-year probationary period, while other responsibilities contributing to correction were imposed on the defendant. A. The judicial investigation in the criminal case regarding Aproyan continues.

The phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin was not only about this (the bill on Armenia's accession to the EU - ed.), but also related to current affairs and bilateral relations within the framework of the EAEU. RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced this during a meeting with journalists on January 31. This fits into the logic of our bilateral relations and relations within EAEU. More than 50,000 citizens of Armenia collected signatures and addressed a question to the Armenian parliament and government, which corresponds to the statements of the Armenian government.

The results of the 19th annual International Microelectronics Olympiad were summarized in Yerevan and the winners were awarded. Ucom acted as the main supporter of the event again this year. The initiator and organizer of the event is Synopsys Armenia, and it is held under the auspices of the RA Prime Minister, in cooperation with the Institute of Electronic and Electronics Engineers Test Technology Technical Council (IEEE TTTC). The Olympiad, which was held in two stages, this year had 332 participants from 16 countries: UAE, USA, Brazil, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Armenia, Jordan, Sri Lanka, Chile, Peru, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Vietnam and France. Second, the final stage was held on November 15, 2024 at the Department of Education of Synopsis Armenia. The 34 finalists, 10 of them from Armenia, fought for the main prizes by solving complex engineering tasks. Vicente Corvalan from Chile won the first prize, Cesar Alburquerque from Brazil took the second place, Emmanuele Saki from Italy and Harutyan Karapetyan from Armenia won the third prize. "The main goal of the International Microelectronics Olympiad founded by Synopsys Armenia is to identify the most talented engineers under the age of 30 and, at the same time, to make sure that in Armenia we provide a competitive and global quality of education in our field," said Synopsis Armenia President, Synopsis Lead Scientist Dr. Yervand Zorian. "There is no doubt that microelectronics and technological sciences are extremely important for our prosperous future. Both I and Ucom are very happy to be a part of this event, to show our support and encourage young people to acquire, develop and apply modern knowledge," said Ucom CEO Ralph Yirikyan. This year the Olympiad covered the following topics: Design and Testing of Digital Integrated Circuits, Design and Testing of Analog and Mixed Signal Integrated Circuits, Semiconductor Devices and Technology, Mathematical and Algorithmic Support for Automated Design of Integrated Circuits. The annual International Microelectronics Olympiad was founded in 2006 with the aim of promoting interest in microelectronics, creating a global community of young professionals, understanding the level of microelectronics knowledge and modernizing educational programs, as well as increasing the visibility and awareness of Armenia as a leading microelectronics center.

Albania's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku has been suspended and banned from traveling abroad as part of the ongoing investigation. On October 31, the anti-corruption prosecutor's office informed Balluku that an investigation is being conducted against him for violating the rules of tenders related to road construction in 2020. He denies the accusations. At the request of SPAK [Special Prosecutor for Corruption and Organized Crime], the Special Court of First Instance imposed personal security measures on [Balluku], banning him from performing his duties and leaving the country. Personal security measures were also applied to two other persons under investigation. Balluku, a key figure in the ruling Socialist Party led by Edi Rama, has been Minister of Infrastructure and Energy since 2019 and Deputy Prime Minister since 2022. The opposition Democratic Party demanded his resignation. Speaking in the parliament on Wednesday, he called the accusations against him groundless. Prime Minister Rama also expressed his support to the Deputy Prime Minister when the opposition demanded his resignation.

Independent experts document that many drugs prescribed for the treatment of cancer, diabetes and other diseases are not registered in Armenia, so they cannot be sold legally. But these medicines are freely sold in pharmacies or on the black market. And since they are not registered, no state institution checks their effectiveness and safety. For years, doctors have been warning that these drugs are a vital necessity for patients and should be registered and properly inspected to exclude the circulation of fake drugs, but the state is unable to solve the issue.

Artavaz Mazlumyan says that during the inventory held in July 2022, he discovered that illegal, unregistered drugs are actually being circulated through HayPost Med. He presented their list to the management of Highpost Med and informed that 3 of the drugs he bought according to the pharmaceutical agency's list are not registered, but are actually sold with a SRC stamp and the sale took place in the legal tax field.

A cash register receipt was provided for 12 more unregistered medicines, which is absurd. "The actions of the Ministry of Health, the Inspection Body and the SRC show that the control of the drug market is incomplete, the structures do not work in practice, and with their inaction they allow untested drugs to be sold freely," emphasizes Artavaz Mazlumyan. The process of drug registration takes a long time and is expensive, which is why some manufacturers do not apply for drug registration. On the other hand, doctors prescribe the necessary drugs for effective treatment, regardless of the fact that they are registered. If the drug is illegal, sooner or later it appears in circulation, and as a rule, by illegal means: smuggling, unregistered sale, illegal networks. "I can say that drugs enter the country through illegal means and are circulated on the black market," Mazlumyan emphasizes, adding that Haypost Med has actually become one of the participants of the black market.

Speaking about the problem and taking consistent steps to stop the circulation of unregistered drugs created serious problems for Artavazd Mazlumyan, due to which he was dismissed from his job and obliged to keep internal information about HayPost Med for 5 years. A few days ago, we applied to the SRC and asked them to clarify the problems of control over the circulation of unregistered drugs and their actual sale. SRC informed that they will conduct a thematic tax audit and will inform about the results. It is not known in what period