Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly-Vanadzor

22 March, 2025

On March 21, 2025, an Armenian-Russian economic conference was held, at the initiative of Andranik Tevanyan, the leader of the alliance of the “Mother Armenia” party, in which the representatives of the Parliament of the Russian Federation (RF) participated. Oleg Matveychev, the deputy of the “Unified Russia” faction of the State Duma spoke about the strategic importance of Gyumri for the Russian Federation.  He also announced that the ruling party of RF will support the “Mother Armenia” alliance of parties. 

In the pre-election period, the organization of the conference with the agenda to develop Gyumri as a free economic zone and “free city” by a political force participating in the elections with the participation of high-ranking foreign politicians, is in itself problematic, as it can be interpreted as an involvement of foreign forces to the preelection campaigning.  

Foreign forces' involvement in the election processes and their support for any political force are very dangerous. They hinder Armenia's democratic processes and the principles of a sovereign and legal state. 

Any party or alliance of parties participating in the elections of the Republic of Armenia is obliged to strictly observe the requirements of the legislation of the RA, which directly prohibit pre-election campaigning by foreign citizens (Electoral Code of the RA, Part 1 of Article 23, Code of Administrative Offenses of the RA, Part 1 of Article 40.8). 

We consider that foreign interference and attempts to influence the electoral processes should receive equivalent legal assessment and response from the competent state bodies of the RA and the Central Electoral Commission of the Republic of Armenia. Effective steps should be taken to exclude such infringements against democratic institutions and sovereignty prior to the elections of the National Assembly of 2026. 

• "Independent Observer" public alliance

Helsinki Citizens' Assembly-Vanadzor

Union of Informed Citizens 

“Direct Democracy” NGO 

• “Akanates” (eyewitness) observation mission

Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center 

Law Development and Protection Foundation 

“Restart” Foundation for Science and Education

"Mitq" Educational-Youth Initiative