In Armenia, the process of forming a new government following the 20 June parliamentary elections appears to already have started informally, pending the final outcome of the challenges to the result that are currently being discussed in the Constitutional Court. Whilst the prime minister and most ministers have in the meantime continued to serve in an acting capacity, the foreign ministry appeared to be leaderless over the last weeks following the resignation of its minister and all his deputies immediately prior to the elections. The matter has caused much speculation in the Armenian media, and some discomfort among the foreign diplomatic community in Yerevan, who complained of difficulties in their interaction with the foreign ministry.
On 14 July, Armen Grigoryan was dismissed from his role as secretary of the Security Council of Armenia, in which he had served as since 2018, and was appointed to the position of first deputy foreign minister. It is likely that Grigoryan will be confirmed as foreign minister once the new government is formed. Media reports also suggest that he will have four deputies: two from cadres of the foreign ministry and two political appointees.
Congratulating Grigoryan on assuming his office, the chief of staff to the prime minister, Arayik Harutyunyan, said, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has played an important role in our domestic and foreign life. I am confident that you will live up to the mark in dealing with the tasks that the people set before us in the June 20 elections and that the Government set before you.”