“Chorrord Ishkhanutyun” sees a rapprochement going on between Russia and Azerbaijan. “[Russian President Vladimir] Putin will visit Baku in the coming days, and Nagorno-Karabakh will obviously be the main theme of his negotiations [with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev,]” writes the paper. “These days statements are being made in both Russia and Azerbaijan to the effect that it is about time Russia exerted pressure on its strategic ally [Armenia] and compelled it to pull out of occupied territories, in return for which Azerbaijan would love to join [the Russian-led] Eurasian Economic Union (EEU).”
“Haykakan Zhamanak” reveals that the central street of Nor Geghi, a small town in Armenia’s central Kotayk region, was recently named after its incumbent mayor, Frontik Tevosian. “It turns out that the town’s musical school also bears the name of Frontik Tevosian,” writes the paper. “Why? Tevosian personally explained why. ‘Well, I have a work experience of 30 years,’ he said. ‘I have run the village since 1985. I turned 70 on March 25. In the past, I have received medals from [the late Prime Minister] Andranik Markarian and the National Assembly. I am now waiting for the president [of the republic] to give me one too.’” This is why, he said, the local council decided to name the street after Tevosian two months ago.
“Zhamanak” says that it does not matter whether or not Armenian athletes will win any medals at the European Games in Baku. “The fact that they will be competing in various Baku arenas alone testifies to their courage and audacity,” writes the paper. “It can already be considered to be their victory. They departed [to Azerbaijan] victoriously and will therefore come back victoriously.”
(Naira Bulghadarian)