Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received businessman Vladimir Yevtushenkov on January 20, according to the Government’s press office.

“During the meeting, they exchanged views on general economic developments in the Republic of Armenia, as well as public-private sector cooperation,” the news release states, without providing further details.

To note, Vladimir Yevtushenkov is the founder and major shareholder of AFK Sistema.

The company’s investment portfolio primarily includes Russian companies across a wide range of sectors (telecommunications, retail and e-commerce, high technology, timber processing, pharmaceuticals, medical services, agriculture, energy, finance, and hospitality).

In September 2007, MTS, a company belonging to AFK Sistema, acquired 80% of the shares of Armenian mobile operator VivaCell for $300 million.

In January 2024, MTS announced the completion of a deal to sell 100% of MTS Armenia’s shares to the Cyprus-based Fedilco Group Limited.

Former Armenian President Robert Kocharyan served for many years as a member of AFK Sistema’s Board of Directors.