Arayik Harutyunyan meets IFES President Anthony Banbury in Yerevan

Arayik Harutyunyan, the Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister’s Office, has met with Anthony Banbury, President and Chief Executive Officer of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES).

The meeting focused on ongoing cooperation between Armenia and IFES since 2018, with both sides highlighting joint programmes aimed at strengthening democratic governance and improving the integrity of electoral processes.

During the talks, Harutyunyan reaffirmed that ensuring free, fair and transparent elections remains a key priority for the government. In this context, he noted that the 2026 parliamentary elections are seen as an important opportunity to further strengthen democratic institutions and enhance public trust.

The two sides also discussed upcoming electoral processes, including local government elections, and emphasised the importance of continued long-term and structured cooperation in the electoral field.