MassisPost

News From Armenia and the Armenian Diaspora

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New Post has been published on https://massispost.com/2026/06/civil-contract-wins-election-set-to-form-government-alone/

Civil Contract Wins Election, Set to Form Government Alone

YEREVAN — The Civil Contract party has won the parliamentary elections and will form the next government on its own, party leader Nikol Pashinyan announced shortly after the release of preliminary results. “I would like to thank all citizens of the Republic of Armenia who participated in the elections. Compared to 2021, we received the confidence and support of a greater number of citizens. The people of Armenia have stood by the state, independence, the future, and peace,” Pashinyan said. According to the prime minister, the Civil Contract party received more votes than it did in the 2021 parliamentary elections.…

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New Post has been published on https://massispost.com/2026/06/armenias-future-will-be-decided-on-june-7/

Armenia’s Future Will Be Decided on June 7

By KRIKOR KOHODANIAN The parliamentary election campaign in Armenia, scheduled for June 7, is drawing to a close. In just a few days, citizens will head to the ballot box to determine the future of their country for at least the next five years. In recent days, interest in these elections has increased significantly, not only within Armenia but also abroad. International media outlets are closely following the electoral developments in the small Caucasian republic, portraying them as yet another manifestation of the broader confrontation between the West and Russia. Moscow and Brussels have accused one another of interfering in…

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New Post has been published on https://massispost.com/2026/06/u-s-state-department-only-armenian-citizens-should-decide-armenias-political-future/

U.S. State Department: Only Armenian Citizens Should Decide Armenia’s Political Future

WASHINGTON, DC — The United States supports “Armenia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence, including Armenia’s right to determine its own foreign policy and international relationships,” a U.S. State Department spokesperson said in an exclusive comment to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Armenian Service. Responding to questions regarding reports of foreign interference in Armenia’s June 7 elections and warnings issued by American lawmakers, the State Department emphasized that Armenia’s political future should be determined solely by its citizens. “We are aware of media reports concerning foreign interference in Armenia’s political processes,” the spokesperson said. “The Armenian people have the right to choose…

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New Post has been published on https://massispost.com/2026/06/late-garabet-k-moumdjians-book-the-armenian-revolutionary-federation-and-constitutionalism-in-the-ottoman-empire-1895-1908-published/

Late Garabet K. Moumdjian’s Book “The Armenian Revolutionary Federation and Constitutionalism In The Ottoman Empire, 1895-1908” Published

LONDON/NEW YORK—Bloomsbury Press has announced the publication of the late Dr. Garabet K. Moumdjian’s The Armenian Revolutionary Federation and Constitutionalism in the Ottoman Empire, 1895-1908. The book is part of the series Armenians in the Modern and Early Modern World edited by Bedross Der Matossian (University of Nebraska, Lincoln). What was the nature of the relationship between the Young Turks, whose members would go on to form and lead the Committee of Union and Progress (CUP), which would carry out the Armenian Genocide beginning in 1915, and the Armenian revolutionaries of the late Ottoman Empire? Based on rich Armenian, Ottoman, British, and other…

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New Post has been published on https://massispost.com/2026/06/armenia-set-to-become-a-global-center-for-ai-computing-power-says-minister/

Armenia Set to Become a Global Center for AI Computing Power, Says Minister

YEREVAN — The construction of a major artificial intelligence (AI) center in the city of Hrazdan is approaching its final stage, according to Armenia’s Minister of High-Tech Industry, Mkhitar Hayrapetyan. In a Facebook post, Hayrapetyan said he visited the site together with Firebird AI co-founder Alexander Yesayan to review preparations for the facility’s official launch and assess infrastructure readiness. “This project is not only a powerful architectural structure but also one of the most important cornerstones of Armenia’s future technology-driven economy,” Hayrapetyan wrote. “Our strategic goal is to transform the country into a global ‘garden of AI factories,’ where advanced…

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New Post has been published on https://massispost.com/2026/06/appeal-of-the-sdhp-armenia-executive-committee/

Appeal of the SDHP Armenia Executive Committee

On June 7, your vote is not merely an election choice; it will determine Armenia’s tomorrow. Dear compatriots, The elections of June 7, 2026, are of decisive importance for the future of our state and people. Through this election, we will determine the path by which the Republic of Armenia will continue to develop: whether along the road of strengthening sovereignty and statehood, or toward vassal-like dependence on another state; whether toward peaceful coexistence with neighbors and economic progress, or perpetual hostility and isolation; whether toward democracy and the rule of law, or regression and the restoration of a criminal-oligarchic…

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New Post has been published on https://massispost.com/2026/06/cnn-investigation-claims-israel-deployed-forces-in-azerbaijan-during-war-against-iran/

CNN Investigation Claims Israel Deployed Forces in Azerbaijan During War Against Iran

ATLANTA — According to an exclusive CNN investigation, Israel secretly deployed special military and intelligence units in Azerbaijan during its war against Iran, positioning them at several locations along Iran’s northern border. The closest reported site was approximately 100 kilometers from the Iranian city of Tabriz. The deployed forces reportedly included special operations units, helicopter combat teams, and Mossad personnel. CNN reported that they conducted intelligence-gathering missions, drone operations, and the installation of surveillance equipment inside northern Iran. One of the key operations allegedly carried out from Azerbaijani territory was the March 4 assassination of Rahman Moghaddam, the head of…

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New Post has been published on https://massispost.com/2026/06/new-poll-shows-pashinyan-strengthening-as-armenia-heads-toward-june-7-elections/

New Poll Shows Pashinyan Strengthening as Armenia Heads Toward June 7 Elections

YEREVAN — A new nationwide voter survey conducted by the Armenian Election Study (ArmES) and published by EVN Report indicates that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his Civil Contract party have strengthened their position ahead of Armenia’s June 7 parliamentary elections, while the opposition remains fragmented and unable to consolidate support. According to the poll, public approval of Pashinyan’s performance has steadily increased, rising from 36 percent in the first wave of the survey to 47.2% in the second poll, to 49% in the third poll, to 53% in the current results. At the same time, disapproval ratings have declined…

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New Post has been published on https://massispost.com/2026/06/russian-officials-soften-tone-toward-armenia-as-yerevan-expands-economic-and-strategic-partnerships/

Russian Officials Soften Tone Toward Armenia as Yerevan Expands Economic and Strategic Partnerships

Russian officials have sharply changed the tone of their public statements regarding Armenia since June 4, replacing the aggressive rhetoric of recent weeks with noticeably more restrained and measured comments. Just days ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin was drawing parallels with the Ukrainian scenario and issuing warnings about Armenia’s growing ties with the European Union. More recently, however, he has emphasized Armenia’s sovereign right to make its own choices and acknowledged that aligning with European standards is not inherently problematic. Similarly, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk, who had recently warned of higher gas prices and other possible economic measures,…

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New Post has been published on https://massispost.com/2026/06/keeping-the-painting-on-the-easel-reflections-on-life-career-and-the-art-of-continually-becoming/

Keeping the Painting on the Easel - Reflections on Life, Career, and the Art of Continually Becoming

By HRATCH TCHILINGIRIAN Life is not a finished painting hung upon the wall to be admired as a static artifact of who we are. It is not something we frame and declare, “Here it is; this is my life.” To view life this way is to deny its very essence. Life is fluid, dynamic, and ever-changing—a living work of art that evolves with every passing moment. This is also true for professional life. Imagine instead that your life is a painting that remains on the easel, perpetually unfinished. Each day, you approach it with fresh eyes, a brush in hand,…

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New Post has been published on https://massispost.com/2026/06/rise-powered-by-silicon-mountains-2026-showcases-armenias-growing-high-tech-and-defense-industries/

RISE Powered by Silicon Mountains 2026 Showcases Armenia’s Growing High-Tech and Defense Industries

YEREVAN — A major high-tech exhibition RISE Powered by Silicon Mountains 2026 took place on June 3–4 at the Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concert Complex in Yerevan. The exhibition brought together leading representatives of the technology and military-industrial sectors, industry experts, and more than 40 Armenian companies. This year’s event is being held in two phases—in June and November—under the motto “We Are Our Mountains. Ascent.” Speaking at the opening ceremony, Armenia’s Minister of High-Tech Industry, Mkhitar Hayrapetyan, emphasized that the country’s military-industrial sector is rapidly strengthening and emerging as a significant branch of the national economy. “The defense industry…

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New Post has been published on https://massispost.com/2026/06/rubio-armenia-azerbaijan-conflict-ended-with-agreement-i-signed-yesterday/

Rubio: Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict Ended With Agreement I Signed Yesterday

“The Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict has ended with an agreement that I signed yesterday,” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on June 3 during a hearing before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on the State Department’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget request. “The Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict is over. Not only is it over, but it ended with an agreement that I signed yesterday, creating a new route for prosperity—the TRIPP corridor—which will provide extraordinary opportunities for both countries, especially Armenia, while fully respecting their sovereignty,” Rubio said. TRIPP (Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity) is a transportation and connectivity initiative that emerged…

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New Post has been published on https://massispost.com/2026/06/u-s-approves-creation-of-tripp-development-company/

U.S. Approves Creation of TRIPP Development Company

WASHINGTON, DC — The Board of Directors of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has approved a new $2.5 billion strategic investment package that includes the TRIPP project. DFC, the U.S. government’s international development finance institution, said the package is aimed at promoting regional peace, strengthening U.S. supply chains, and expanding economic cooperation. Included in the package is the establishment of the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP) Development Company. The joint U.S.-Armenia initiative is designed to support trade, transportation, and economic development while strengthening international, regional, and domestic transportation links. According to DFC, the project is…

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New Post has been published on https://massispost.com/2026/06/eu-to-provide-more-than-e50-million-to-armenia-in-response-to-russian-trade-restrictions/

EU to Provide More Than €50 Million to Armenia in Response to Russian Trade Restrictions

The European Union will provide Armenia with more than €50 million in immediate financial assistance in response to Russian economic restrictions, helping Armenian products access European markets and supporting the reopening of regional infrastructure. According to information published on the European Commission’s official website, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen discussed the issue during a telephone conversation with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and described Moscow’s restrictions on Armenian goods as unacceptable. “This is economic coercion, and it is unacceptable. Europe stands firmly with Armenia,” von der Leyen wrote on X. The European Commission stated that, in response to…

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New Post has been published on https://massispost.com/2026/06/armenian-government-to-forgive-certain-loan-obligations-of-thousands-displaced-from-artsakh/

Armenian Government to Forgive Certain Loan Obligations of Thousands Displaced from Artsakh

The Armenian government will relieve thousands of displaced Artsakh Armenians of certain loan obligations. Under a government decision, specific loans incurred before 2023 by individuals displaced from Artsakh will be forgiven if those debts were transferred to the Republic of Armenia and are currently in the enforcement stage. The measure also applies to loans secured by movable property, excluding gold items, provided the principal amount did not exceed 5 million drams per borrower at the time the debt was transferred to the state. Beneficiaries will be fully exempt from paying enforcement-related expenses. Restrictions and freezes imposed on their property and…

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New Post has been published on https://massispost.com/2026/06/court-invalidates-land-sale-agreement-signed-during-serzh-sargsyans-tenure-as-defense-minister-131-million-drams-to-be-recovered/

Court Invalidates Land Sale Agreement Signed During Serzh Sargsyan’s Tenure as Defense Minister; 131 Million Drams to Be Recovered

YEREVAN — A court has ruled in favor of the Republic of Armenia in another lawsuit filed by prosecutors seeking to protect state interests, ordering the recovery of 131.36 million drams. The ruling invalidated a land sale agreement signed on April 26, 2005, between an authorized representative of then-Defense Minister Serzh Sargsyan and Ararat Motors LLC. The agreement concerned a 0.40935-hectare land parcel located at 16/4 Admiral Isakov Avenue in Yerevan’s Malatia-Sebastia district. Because returning the property is no longer possible, the court ruled that, once the decision enters into legal force, Ararat Motors must pay 131.36 million drams to…

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New Post has been published on https://massispost.com/2026/06/aua-celebrates-the-legacy-of-late-president-dr-haroutune-k-armenian/

AUA Celebrates the Legacy of Late President Dr. Haroutune K. Armenian

YEREVAN — On June 3, with heartfelt memories, personal stories, and a deep sense of gratitude, the American University of Armenia (AUA) community gathered to celebrate the life and enduring legacy of late AUA President Dr. Haroutune K. Armenian. A luminary leader, renowned public health expert, and beloved educator, Dr. Armenian dedicated more than a decade of service to the University, helping shape AUA into the institution it is today. Dr. Armenian’s roles and impact included program development at the Ministry of Health in Bahrain, dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the American University of Beirut, director of…