By the decree of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, Ashot Hovakimian was appointed to the position of a Deputy Foreign Minister.

Earlier, Ashot Hovakimyan was relieved of his position as an Ambassador to Austria, Hungary and Slovakia and the post of the head of Armenian mission to OSCE.

By another decree, Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Kirakossian was relieved of his post to be appointed as Armenian Ambassador to Austria, as well as the head of Armenian mission to OSCE (residence in Vienna).