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Thursday, June 20, 2013

Latest Armenia News

The number of convictions of criminals who force people into slavery increased in 2012.

U.S. Says Uzbekistan, Russia, Iran Worst For Human Trafficking

Uzbekistan and Russia have received the lowest possible rating from the U.S. State Department in its annual report on human trafficking around the world. More

The banners of ArmRusgazprom and Gazprom fly side by side.

Gazprom Seeks State's Stake In Armenian Gas Importer

Russian natural-gas company Gazprom is in discussions to acquire the Armenian government's shares in the company responsible for importing, storage, and distribution of gas in Armenia. More

Two of the "troubling deterioration's" poster boys, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych (back to camera) and Russian President Vladimir Putin, meet in the Tver region on Ukraine in March.

Eurasian Deterioration 'Troubling'

Countries in Central Europe and Central Asia are increasingly being ruled by autocratic governments with little regard for democracy, according to the 2013 "Nations In Transit" report by democracy watchdog Freedom House. More

Armenian soldiers in ceremonial training in Yerevan (file photo)

Armenia Opens Door To Female Cadets

Armenia's Defense Ministry has announced that, for the first time, women now can be students at the nation's military schools. More

WATCH: Kerry Meets With His Azerbaijani Counterpart

Kerry: Karabakh Solution 'Critical'

Years of negotiations mediated by France, Russia, and the United States have failed to produce a settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. More

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Latest Blog Posts

Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian (right) and businessman Gagik Tsarukian, head of the Bargavach Hayastan (Prosperous Armenia) party, attend the consecration of a new church built by Tsarukian in Abovian on May 14.

Armenian Opposition Takes Stock After Election Defeats

Yet notwithstanding the perception that "achieving regime change by means of elections is impossible in Armenia," the political landscape is very different now from early 2012 and is likely to continue to change. One major political party has strengthened its position, while support for two opposition parliamentary parties has dwindled. More

Blog Archive

Features & Commentary

Presidents Vladimir Putin (left) of Russia and Serzh Sarkisian of Armenia during a meeting in Turkmenistan in December.

Armenia Looks West, Tries To Loosen Moscow’s Grip

Armenia has long been Russia’s most steadfast partner in the South Caucasus. So when the country’s president last week declined to travel to Kyrgyzstan for a summit of a Moscow-led security organization, people took note.

Amnesty International says abusive governments can no longer use the issue of sovereignty to justify their actions.

Amnesty Report Notes Worldwide Abuses, As Well As Courage Of Activists

In a new report, the global rights group Amnesty International documents abuses in 159 countries and territories that it says were "inflicted by those in power on those who stand in the way of their vested interests."

Interview: EU's Enlargement Chief Finds Many Ways To Say ‘More Work Needed’

Stefan Fuele, the European Union commissioner for enlargement and neighborhood policy, has called on the EU-hopeful countries of the Eastern Partnership and the Western Balkans to do more to prove their commitment to democratic values. Correspondent Daisy Sindelar spoke to Fuele during his visit to RFE/RL headquarters in Prague on May 9.

Armenia's best known NGOs typically rely on Western governments and foreign foundations for their funding. (file photo)

Mysterious NGOs Benefit From Armenian Government's Largesse

Activists in Armenia recently obtained a list of 31 nongovernmental organizations that have received more than $1 million in state grants. But finding most of these mysterious groups has proven virtually impossible.

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