The parliamentary elections in the Republic of Artsakh reaffirmed the absolute reluctance of Azerbaijan to enter into negotiations with the main party to the conflict. Naturally, no one expected the elections to be recognized or, at least, to go unnoticed. Everything was as usual: Baku once again declared that the election contradicted the Constitution of Azerbaijan, the observers “did not have the permission of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry to visit the occupied territories”, etc. In short, nothing new.

Weightlifting: Armenia’s Smbat Margaryan, (weight class 56kg) won gold at the European Youth Weightlifting Championships, which kicked off in Valencia, Spain, on May 17. Margaryan lifted 240kg in snatch, clean and jerk combination. Another gold medal went to Vladik Karapetyan (weight class 62kg). Karapetyan lifted 253kg in the snatch, clean and jerk combination, taking the lead over the Azerbaijani and Turkish weightlifters – Firudin Guliyev and Emre Buyukunlu.

The National Statistical Service has published the data for January-April 2010, according to which, 7.2% GDP growth was recorded in Armenia as compared with the same period of 2009. The GDP amounted to AMD 777.6bln in April. Besides, 8% growth was recorded in consumer prices in the reported period as compared with the 2009 index.

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

Marking the Night of Museums along with the other countries across the globe, Armenia opened the doors of its museums, offering various expositions, performances and concerts. Students’ art exhibition dedicated to Time Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost their lives during the World War II organized jointly by the UN Office in Armenia and Yerevan State Academy of Arts featured 60 works of art, including graphics, paintings, batiks, ceramics and statues were displayed at UN house, attracting the attention of students, professors, international community, civil society groups, media and general public.

With passions over the demolition of Moscow Cinema Open-Air Hall fading, Yerevan residents launched a collection of signatures against construction under way in the Student Park. A group of public activists made a statement, saying that “construction works carried out in the Park can transform the urban green belt into another ferroconcrete structure.” “We are ready to use all legal tools to rescue the parks of Yerevan,” people say.

The entry of new fixed-line telephony operators to the Armenian market won’t result in reduction of ArmenTel’s tariffs. “The fixed-line telephony tariffs are determined by the Public Services Regulatory Commission. I see no connection between entry of a new operator and lowering of tariffs,” said Igor Klimko, Armentel CEO.