Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, during an upcoming visit to Russia, will discuss developments in the South Caucasus, among other international topics, Reuters reported citing a diplomatic source.

The South Caucasus will be discussed after Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan won elections this month, and as Yerevan works with Azerbaijan on a peace deal that may speed up Türkiye’s normalisation with Armenia, according to Reuters.

Also, Fidan will repeat Türkiye’s offer to host talks between Russia and Ukraine on the visit to Moscow this week, at which he will also discuss Black Sea shipping safety. 

The visit on Tuesday and Wednesday comes ahead of Türkiye hosting a NATO summit on July 7–8, and after Kyiv asked Ankara in April to mediate by hosting a leaders’ level meeting.

The Turkish source said Fidan would meet Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov and later meet Russian President Vladimir Putin.

He will warn against further escalation in the Black Sea and repeat Türkiye’s proposal of a limited ceasefire on ports and energy infrastructure, the source said. In recent months, Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of drone attacks on tankers near Türkiye’s northern coast.

A Ukrainian official said that Kyiv would welcome an offer from Türkiye to host bilateral talks, which President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed several times.

Kyiv’s ambassador to Ankara told Reuters last month that it wanted deeper ties with Türkiye, including joint production in the defense industry.

Aram Khachaturian Cultural Foundation press release 

The closing gala concert of the Khachaturian International Competition took place at the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall, during which the names of the competition laureates were announced and the official award ceremony was held.

The First Prize was awarded to Cosima Regina Federle (Germany), the Second Prize to Bogdan Efremov (Russian Federation), while Artyom Ioanisyan (Armenia) became the Third Prize laureate.

Within the framework of the competition, special prizes were also awarded for the best interpretation of a classical sonata, the best performances of works by Bach and Popper, as well as the best interpretations of Aram Khachaturian’s Sonata-Fantasy.

Special prizes were also presented in the categories of “Best Collaborative Pianist” and “Audience Award.”

This year, 19 cellists from 11 countries, selected by the jury, participated in the competition.

The jury included distinguished representatives of the international music world: Denis Severin (Switzerland), Martti Rousi (Finland), Meehae Ryo (Republic of Korea), Josephine Knight (United Kingdom), Levon Mouradian (Armenia/Portugal), Gregorio Nieto (Venezuela), and Victor Julien-Laferrière (France).

During the official closing ceremony of the competition, the audience enjoyed Aram Khachaturian’s Concerto-Rhapsody for Cello performed by the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra and the First Prize laureate Cosima Regina Federle under the baton of conductor Sergey Smbatyan.

The Khachaturian International Competition is organized with the support of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia and by the Aram Khachaturian Cultural Foundation. The general sponsor of the competition is the Yerevan Municipality.

The strategic partner of the competition is Freedom Broker Armenia, while the partners are VISA and Acba Bank.

The competition is a member of the World Federation of International Music Competitions (WFIMC).

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan held a meeting with EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos within the framework of the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg.

Commissioner Kos congratulated Ararat Mirzoyan – a senior member of the Civil Contract party – on the victory in the parliamentary elections, noting that it also sends a positive message for the further deepening of the Armenia–EU partnership, the Foreign Ministry said in a press release.

Minister Mirzoyan outlined Armenia’s foreign policy priorities for the coming period, based on the mandate received from citizens through a democratic vote, including the Armenia–EU strategic agenda and the vision for advancing European integration.

The sides discussed specific mechanisms to promote the economic component of the Armenia–EU partnership and the next steps for their implementation.

Minister Mirzoyan and Commissioner Kos also exchanged views on the agenda of the Commissioner’s visit to Yerevan on July 5.

The meeting also touched upon regional developments.

Armenian Minister of Defense Suren Papikyan, during his visit to France, participated in the opening ceremony of Eurosatory 2026, the Defense Ministry announced.

Eurosatory is a global trade show for defense and security, bringing together key players from the international ecosystem.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s wife, Anna Hakobyan, will participate in the Fourth Annual Global First Partners Academy, taking place in New York City from June 26 to July 4, 2026.

The prime minister’s decree authorizing the trip was published online on Monday.

Director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, Sergey Naryshkin, has said that Moscow seeks to maintain friendly relations with Armenia, TASS reported.

The Russian state news agency quoted Naryshkin as saying that Russia hopes that “friendly relations and the development of cooperation” will be maintained with Armenia.

“For us, for Russia, it is important that the two countries, in any case, maintain friendly relations so that cooperation and interaction in economic, humanitarian, and military-technical areas can develop. We hope that this will indeed be the case,” Naryshkin said, speaking about ties with Armenia.

Ahead of the parliamentary elections held on June 7, Russia imposed restrictions and bans on the import of numerous Armenian goods, which continue to this day.

The ruling “Civil Contract” party secured a landslide victory and will hold a majority in the new parliament. Many world leaders have congratulated Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on the victory. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin has not yet done so. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov earlier said that Russia is awaiting the final confirmation of the election results. The Central Electoral Commission finalized the results on June 14: the “Civil Contract” party received 64 seats in parliament, the “Strong Armenia” alliance 29 seats, and the “Armenia” alliance 12 seats.

The June 7 parliamentary elections showed Armenia’s firm commitment to democracy, peace, and closer ties with Europe, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas has said.

Kallas said on Instagram that during the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg, EU ministers congratulated Armenia on exercising their sovereign democratic right to vote in parliamentary elections. “The vote showed Armenia’s firm commitment to democracy, peace and enhanced cooperation in the region as well as closer ties with Europe,” she added.

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan participated in an EU Foreign Affairs Council-format meeting at the invitation of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas.

Kallas, speaking ahead of the Foreign Affairs Council meeting, told reporters: “We have the Foreign Minister of Armenia joining us. They just had elections, and we have seen really increased pressure by Russia to actually change their path. That is why we have to support them to be resilient. That is why we are also discussing with the Minister what more can we do to help them on their path.”

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has called for support for Armenia’s resilience amid what she described as “increased pressure by Russia.”

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, speaking ahead of the Foreign Affairs Council meeting, told reporters: “We have the Foreign Minister of Armenia joining us. They just had elections, and we have seen really increased pressure by Russia to actually change their path. That is why we have to support them to be resilient. That is why we are also discussing with the Minister what more can we do to help them on their path.”

The EU Council earlier reported that, before the beginning of the FAC meeting, EU foreign affairs ministers would have an informal exchange over breakfast with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan.

The Armenian Foreign Ministry then reported that during the meeting the parties exchanged views on practical mechanisms and possible steps to increase Armenia–EU trade, as well as to strengthen Armenia’s economic and energy resilience. Minister Mirzoyan highly valued the support provided thus far by the EU and its member states in countering hybrid threats and diversifying economic ties.

Ahead of the parliamentary elections held on June 7, Russia imposed restrictions and bans on the import of numerous Armenian goods, which continue to this day. The move prompted exporters to look for new markets, including in the EU. The EU has since announced support measures.

The ruling “Civil Contract” party secured a landslide victory in the June 7 elections and will hold a majority in the new parliament. Many world leaders have congratulated Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on the victory. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin has not yet done so. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov earlier said that Russia is awaiting the final confirmation of the election results. The Central Electoral Commission finalized the results on June 14: the “Civil Contract” party received 64 seats in parliament, the “Strong Armenia” alliance 29 seats, and the “Armenia” alliance 12 seats.

Central Bank of Armenia press release 

On June 16, 2026, the Central Bank of Armenia will put into circulation the “125th birth anniversary of Alex Manoogian” gold collector coin, honoring the renowned Armenian-American businessman and great benefactor.

Alex Manoogian (1901–1996) was born in Kasaba, near by Smyrna (Izmir). He worked in a variety of jobs while studying in the local Armenian school, and upon graduation, he had gained solid entrepreneurial experience.

In 1920, he moved to the United States and by 1924 had settled in Detroit, Michigan, where he worked in a number of factories producing machine parts.

In 1929, he founded his own enterprise, Masco Corporation, which at first produced parts for the auto industry and later became internationally known for the Delta single-handle faucet and plumbing fixtures.         

He joined the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) in 1930 and served as its president from 1953 to 1989, succeeded by his daughter Louise Simone.

In 1942, he founded the “Alex and Marie Manoogian Foundation” with his spouse, Marie Manoogian, and provided substantial funding for Armenian programs in many countries: Armenia, the USA, Canada, Argentina, Uruguay, the Netherlands, France, Lebanon, Jerusalem, Iran, and Australia. Significant investments went toward the building and renovation of churches, schools, cultural centers, libraries, nursing homes, the establishment of Armenian Studies departments in universities, and the support of youth organizations.

For his philanthropic contributions, he received numerous international awards and honors, and honorary doctorate degrees from several universities. In 1994, he was awarded the title of National Hero of Armenia and the Order of Motherland. Schools and streets have been named after him in Armenia and many cities around the world.

The remains of the great benefactor and his spouse rest in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin – in front of the “Alex and Marie Manoogian” Treasury-House built through their beneficence.

Obverse: the monument symbolizing the collective image of an Armenian benefactor (“Alley of Armenian Benefactors” memorial complex, author: F. Arakelyan), the inscriptions “GRATITUDE” (“Gratitude” in Armenian) and “GRATITUDE”.

Reverse: Alex Manoogian’s portrait and signature.

Designers: Haroutiun Samuelian (obverse), Vardan Vardanyan (reverse).

The coin is minted at the Royal Dutch Mint.

Technical specification

Face value                10 000 dram

Metal/fineness           gold 9000

Weight                    8,6 g

Diameter                 22,0 mm

Quality                    proof

Edge                       ribbed

Quantity of issue        300 pcs

Notice

Collector coins are made of precious metals and are issued to present to the society the national, international, historical and cultural, spiritual and other values of the country, to immortalize these values in the metal and to meet the demands of the numismatic market.

Like any other currency the collector coins have face value which makes them the means of payment. However, the face value of these coins is much lower that their cost price which includes the cost of the precious metal used for manufacturing of the coin, mintage and other expenses. Low face value and high-cost price allow these coins to be considered as the items of collection and not the means of payment used in money circulation. The collector coins have also the sale price set by the Central Bank of Armenia.

As the items of collection, the collector coins are issued in very restricted quantities and are not reissued.

Numismatists, collectors and all interested persons can buy the Armenian collector coins in the sales salon “Numismatist” which is in the building of the Central Bank of Armenia and is open for everyone. You can find the prices for numismatic items presented in the “Numismatist” sales salon at the following link.

The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 15 June, USD exchange rate down by 0.12 drams to 368.06 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 1.3 drams to 427.39 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.0123 drams to 5.0809 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 0.43 drams to 494.16 drams.

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

Gold price up by 1299 drams to 49534 drams.