Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan hosted renowned physicist, Scientific Director of the Laboratory of Nuclear Reaction of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR), Academician Yuri Hovhannisyan, and JINR Director Academician Grigory Trubnikov.

The JINR, based in Russia, is an international research center for nuclear sciences, with 5,500 staff members, 1200 researchers including 1000 Ph.Ds. from eighteen countries, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine.

Pashinyan welcomed them to Armenia, noting that the JINR is a good platform for developing international cooperation, including with the partners of Russia.  Pashinyan stressed the Armenian government is ready to support the further development of bilateral cooperation and the implementation of joint programs in the field of science.

Addressing Yuri Hovhannisyan, Pashinyan said, "I am glad that you maintain contact with Armenia and local partners. You have new ideas. You successfully continue your scientific activity”.  

Yuri Hovhannisyan and Grigory Trubnikov presented details of their visit to Armenia and the steps aimed to implement new programs in the field of science, in particular, the establishment of new scientific centers at Yerevan State University and other higher educational institutions in Yerevan. Yuri Hovhannisyan expressed confidence that our country has good opportunities in the field of science, adding that he will continue to contribute to the progress of the field with his experience.

Issues related to the involvement of young scientists in new JINR programs were discussed at the meeting.

Pashinyan noted that the Armenian government has recently increased the funding of science by 82%, and the salary of scientists by 40-160%. Pashinyan stressed the development of science is of strategic importance for the Armenian government.