Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian commented on Artsakh defense army’s report on Azeri attempt at subversive attack in the environs of Chaylu settlement, Mardakert region. “Before every summit conference with Armenian President, Baku was attempting to frustrate negotiations through provocative statements and threats of war. This time, Azeri’s failure to gain their end triggered an open provocation after June 17 trilateral meeting.” “Obviously, Azeri side’s actions were pre-planned. Azeri authorities lost no time in organizing subversive operation once they left negotiation hall,” the Foreign Minister emphasized, adding that sudden attacks under the cover of night are characteristic for Azerbaijan.

Yerevan hosted a conference of the Social International Committee of CIS, Caucasian and Black Sea states, which brought together representatives of socialistic parties from 13 CIS and European countries: Russia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Moldova, Greece, Hungary, Germany, Poland, Sweden, Palestine and Azerbaijan. Summarizing the conference results, Secretary General of Social International Luis Ayala noted that they have managed to fulfill all the planned tasks during the two-day conference. “Our primary goal is to spread democracy in all those countries where we are represented. In some countries, for example in Armenia, we have managed to form an open society, while in some countries it is a long-lasting process,” he said.

Traditionally, the political week in Armenia started with discussions on the Karabakh conflict settlement. Chairman of Prosperous Armenia party Gagik Tsarukyan said that Nagorno Karabakh can never be an article of commerce. “We should detect problems and solve them. Our basic principle is the achievement of goals and implementation of programs. Specifically, we aim to stir up activity for the international recognition of NKR,” he said. Tsarukyan also remarked that Russia has always been Armenia’s ally, thus his party will always be adherent to development and boosting of strategic, friendly and economic ties between the two countries.

The week started with a ceremony of bestowing RA Defense Ministry’s medals on Armenian peacekeepers for an excellent service in Afghanistan and Kosovo. Head of RA Armed Forces General Staff, Colonel General Yuri Khachaturov congratulated the Armenian peacekeeping brigade on being conferred the military unit status and called on them to never forget the main task of protecting their native land. Commemorating the soldiers who died in Karabakh war, Colonel General Khachaturov said: “We love peace. We don’t want anything belonging to others. Karabakh is our land and we won’t cede an inch of it.”

The past weeks highlights were the parliamentary elections in NKR and debates on European Parliament’s resolution.

Armenian politicians started the week with comments on Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Iran and Azerbaijan.

The political week in Armenia started with debates on the Nagorno Karabakh problem.

Azerbaijan is incapable to resolve Karabakh conflict, an Armenian expert said.

Main political events of last week started with April 5 interview of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan to Der Spiegel.

The week began with the Armenian President’s official visit to Syria. On March 22, on the invitation of his Syrian counterpart, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan arrived in Syria with his wife Rita Sargsyan in the frames of a three-day official visit.