In a year since the date of promulgation of the Protocols on the Armenian-Turkish relations and opening of the Armenian border, the Armenian world has experienced lots of changes, which could have a major impact on the process development in future. One thing has definitely become clear over time: Armenia is not going to sacrifice its national values and security for pleasing someone, even despite the guarantees of the international community.

If the situation in the South Caucasus is developing exactly as it is introduced to the public by Russian and Armenian mass media, quoting well-known political scientists and experts on Russia and Armenia, then it is high time for Baku to think about her situation and conduct. On the eve of parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan it is very difficult for Baku to change her policy of blackmail and threats against Armenia for something more constructive. And such a turn of events would be disastrous for the current Aliyev regime.

The past week’s debates focused on the protocol envisaging extension of the terms of Russian military base deployment in Armenia.

The internal political events during the past week focused on the forthcoming visit of Russian President and informal summit of CIS leaders. The oncoming visit of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to Armenia suggests positive development of Armenian-Russian cooperation, stated Eduard Sharmazanov, secretary of the Republican Party of Armenia.

For dozens of centuries Armenians had been celebrating the New Year, Navasard, on August 11. Once a favorite popular holiday, it now became a topic of historians’ remarks or Armenian folklore only. “August 11 is the first day of the new year according to the ancient Armenian calendar. It was celebrated by all – the rich and the poor,” said ethnographer Gohar Vardumyan, senior fellow at the Armenian National Academy of Sciences.

The 1988 events in Sumgait, Azerbaijan, shocked the entire Armenianhood. Dozens of people were slaughtered, majority of them after tortures and severe beatings. Over 200 apartments were robbed and burnt. Thousands of refugees remained homeless. This year changed the lives of many people. 27-year-old Manvel Yeghiazaryan was not an exception…

Armenia has been an IFC member and shareholder since 1995. IFC has been active in the nation over the years, with cumulative investments totaling $87 million in 18 projects across a range of industries. For the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2010, IFC’s commitments in Armenia climbed to a record $35.3 million, in response to the global financial crisis. IFC complements its investment activity in Armenia with an active advisory program that focuses on banking development, sustainable energy and investment climate.

Yerevan will be hosting Fruitfull Armenia winemaking forum on September 16-17. World-known oenologist Michel Rolland, invited as a special guest, as well as other participants, will be sampling the whole range of Armenian wines presented. A winner will be selected among 21 companies as a result of sampling. The forum to be opened by RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan aims at promoting Armenian wine-making industry, implementation of new production technologies and search for marketing outlets.

Wrestling: 7 Armenian wrestlers will participate in the World Wrestling Championships to take place between September 6 and 13 in Moscow. Chief coach of the Armenian Greco-Roman wrestling team Levon Julfalakyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter that Armenia will compete in all weight classes. The team includes: Olympic Games bronze winner, World Championships silver winner and European champion Roman Amoyan (weight class 55kg), Vahan Juaryan (weight class 60kg), Arman Adikyan (weight class 66kg), European champion Arsen Julfalakyan (weight class 74kg), Denis Forov (weight class 84kg), Sargis Tonoyan (weight class 96kg), Olympic Games bronze winner and European champion Yuri Patrikeev (weight class 120kg).

Olympiad: 14 Armenian sportsmen compete in 12 disciplines at the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games which kicked off on August 14. Weightlifter Smbat Margaryan (56kg weight category) lifted 243 kg in snatch and clean & jerk to win bronze. Another weightlifter Gor Minasyan won silver, lifted 350 kg in the snatch and clean & jerk. Defeating a Venezuelan freestyle wrestler, Armenia’s Artak Hovhannisyan won a bronze medal. Archer Vasil Shahnazaryan finished 16th. Gymnast Vahan Vardanyan was the 8th in all-round events. Athlete Diana Khubeseryan came 5th. Swimmers Sergei Pevnev and Anahit Barseghyan were 32nd and 22nd respectively.

An Armenian singer won New Wave song contest for the first time in nine years of its existence. Armenia was represented by Sona Shahgeldyan this year, as she passed through a selection round in April 2010. People had been talking about wonderful vocal of Sona and her unusual timbre for a long time. However, almost all representatives of Armenia were notable for their powerful vocal at the contest. Jury was traditionally delighted with Armenian artists, but each time they lacked several or even one point to win the contest. This refers also to Razmik Amyan, who participated in the contest in 2006, when everyone was speaking with admiration about the singer’s unique voice, but a representative of the U.S. won the contest. Almost the same thing happened to Mher, who participated in New Wave in 2008. He received the People’s Choice Award, but has not won the contest.

The phrase “Armen Tigranian’s Anoush opera in English” may puzzle those who’ve ever seen it. However Gerald Papasian’s translation quite fit into the complicated music of Armen Tigranian. Michigan Opera Theatre was the first to feature English version of the opera in 1981.

ArmenTel CJSC (Beeline trademark) has announced automatic activation of roaming service for Beeline postpaid subscribers in Artsakh. Earlier, the service activation in NKR cost AMD 15000 and 30000 for legal and physical persons respectively.

GNC Alfa has completed the first stage of IP/MPLS network construction with 10Gbps network capacity. Networks in Yerevan and 16 Armenian towns have been put into operation. Coverage of 29 towns is envisaged till yearend. GNC-Alfa is a telecommunications network services operator in Armenia. The Company owns a fiber-optic network passing along the Armenia-Iran gas pipeline. GNC-Alfa network, built on technologies of American Juniper Networks, is designed to provide wholesale transport network services to fixed and mobile operators and ISPs, as well as transit services via Armenia.