"Zhoghovurd": Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ani Badalyan has been awarded the highest diplomatic rank.
By a decree of the President of the Republic of Armenia dated September 16, Ani Misha Badalyan was awarded the diplomatic rank of "Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary." Hayk Darbinyan, Advisor to the Foreign Minister, and Lena Terzikyan, Acting Head of the European Integration Department at the Foreign Ministry, received the same rank, while Nelly Saroyan was awarded the higher rank of "Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary."
Thus, Badalyan—known to the public primarily as the Foreign Ministry spokesperson—has received a diplomatic rank classified by law among the highest tiers. According to *Zhoghovurd*'s sources within the government, this very fact has sparked discussions within the Foreign Ministry.
According to our sources, Badalyan’s role within the ministry has expanded significantly of late; she serves not only as the official spokesperson but also plays a pivotal role in various foreign policy matters. When inquiries or requests for information arise across various areas, staff members are often directed to Badalyan. Perhaps for this reason, the fact that Badalyan—who holds the position of press spokesperson—attained one of the highest diplomatic ranks relatively quickly has become a topic of discussion.
It is worth noting that Ani Badalyan has been working within the Foreign Ministry system since 2014. In January 2023, she was appointed Acting Head of the EU Division within the Ministry's European Department, and in March of the same year, she became the Foreign Minister's press spokesperson.
The Ministry's official website also lists her as the Acting Head of the Department of Media and Public Diplomacy. This department is responsible for covering foreign policy and the Ministry's activities, organizing press events for the Minister and Deputy Ministers, and managing relations with the media. Badalyan also regularly accompanies Ararat Mirzoyan during his public activities, in the capacity of the person responsible for the ministry's information policy.
