On June 18, Nikol Pashinyan, the Prime Minister of Armenia, stated during a briefing that he does not consider it humiliating to discuss Armenia’s domestic political matters with Azerbaijani representatives, addressing questions regarding a reported Grigoryan-Hajiyev meeting and its initiation. 

Responding to concerns about the purpose of the meeting and whether it involved sensitive internal issues, Pashinyan stated that he had instructed Grigoryan to assess the need for such contacts after experts from both Armenia and Azerbaijan observed developments that could potentially increase tensions. He emphasized that no explanations regarding Armenia’s domestic political affairs were provided to the Azerbaijani side, adding that diplomatic engagement is based on exchanging positions directly rather than relying on third-party information or media reports.

Pashinyan stated that the meeting covered a wide range of topics, including issues related to detainees and border management. He underlined that Armenia maintains different formats of dialogue with different neighboring states and noted that he had previously spoken by phone with the Prime Minister of Georgia during election day, describing such exchanges as normal diplomatic practice.

Rejecting the characterization of such discussions as "humiliating," Pashinyan stated that they should instead be understood as standard diplomatic contacts aimed at clarifying positions and managing risks. He added that the meeting had already been discussed in detail in the National Assembly and that there was nothing further to add, while emphasizing that it was significant that the talks were held in Armenia, which he said reflected progress in the peace process and efforts to manage risks.

In the same briefing, Pashinyan also dismissed claims that the Armenian government is preparing for early elections. Responding to questions about legislative changes such as stricter penalties for vote-buying and adjustments to electoral rules, he stated that no snap elections are planned. He explained that public dissatisfaction with these issues had existed prior to the elections, and that reforms are now being implemented in line with earlier commitments.

Pashinyan also announced his intention to attend an upcoming meeting of the Eurasian Economic Union Intergovernmental Commission, noting that the institution is functioning and that he plans to participate in its work.

Separately, at a government meeting on the same day, he addressed economic policy measures, stating that small businesses found to have failed to issue cash receipts three times within a year should lose access to simplified tax regimes for five years. He also noted plans to expand the preferential microbusiness tax regime starting January 1, 2027, increasing the turnover threshold from 24 million drams to 50 million drams.

Pashinyan emphasized that while tax benefits are being expanded, compliance must also be strengthened. He stated that repeated violations would result in stricter enforcement, including loss of preferential status, and added that the expansion of QR-based control systems for goods would further reduce shadow economic activity.