Armenia will hold a snap parliamentary election on June 20, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Thursday, in a decisive step aimed at diffusing political tensions and a power vacuum.

Without an effectively functioning government, plans to normalise relations with Turkey cannot proceed, and vital transport and trade routes will continue to be blocked.

Negotiations are under way between the government of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and opposition figures. The subject is snap elections demanded by the opposition.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan says there is an imminent threat of a military coup in the country, following explicit threats by the army demanding he and his government resign.