More and more frequent become Baku’s indications on replacing the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs. This has become especially evident after the Washington summit, when Azerbaijan finally realized that however important a role oil may play for Baku, it has nothing to do with settlement of the Karabakh conflict. Moreover, Azerbaijan cannot even proceed with blackmail and threats, as Turkey does. After the Turkish Foreign Minister’s visit to Baku, for some unknown reason Azerbaijani politicians concluded that Turkey is ready to undertake the role of a mediator and regulate the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

According to the RA Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, out of 500 thousand elderly people in Armenia, 50 thousand are lonely, living in extreme poverty. For most of them, pension is the only source of income, and only 10 thousand are registered as eligible for social, medical and psychological assistance.

Weightlifting: Armenia came forth at the European Weightlifting Championships, winning 19 medals – 7 gold, 8 silver and 4 bronze. Tigran Martirosyan (w.c. up to 77kg) and Gevork Poghosyan (w.c. 85 kg) won gold; Smbat Margaryan (w.c. 56 kg), Ara Khachatryan (w.c. 85 kg), Ruben Aleksanyan (w.c +105 kg) and Meline Daluzyan, (w.c. 69kg) won silver; Hripsime Khurshudyan (w.c. 75 kg) won bronze.

It was found out that under the crisis conditions the Armenian small and medium enterprises (SME) have assumed the basic load of tax payments, as numerous complaints were received from them with respect to the increased number of inspections by tax services. The government’s image was undermined once again and it caused Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan’s concern. He addressed his discontent to the RA Ministries of Finance and Economy, which have not fulfilled their obligations properly. Thus, the reforms implemented by the government to minimize personal relations between tax bodies’ and business’ representatives have not yielded results. Is it possible that the reformers do not hurry to implement them, aiming to line their own pockets in the end?

When Karine Mkrtchyan, 30, came up with an idea six months ago to bring Armenia’s hidden problems to the surface, she placed her thoughts on the backburner, thinking it could take years to realize her dream.

Yerevan will host National Gallery VI International Music Festival from April 21 to June 2. “Musicians from Armenia, Russia, Sweden and Slovenia will be participating,” Festival founder Mariam Shahinyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. The Festival will open with a concert of Youth State Orchestra of Armenia and honored artist of Armenia, pianist Svetlana Navasardyan. Duo Claripiano from Sweden will perform Sen-Sans and Shubert’s works on April 29. Swedish violinist Hugo Tizziati and Armenian pianist Hayk Melikyan will present modern classical music, including Tigran Mansuryan’s works, on May 5. Armenian State Chamber Choir (conductor Robert Mlkeyan) will perform on May 14.

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