Hundreds of Armenian troops began on Wednesday one-week military exercises which officials said are aimed at testing and improving their ability to participate in international peacekeeping operations.

ANTALYA, Turkey (A.W.)-Armenian weightlifter Tigran Martirosian has won the gold medal in the men's 77kg at the World Weightlifting Championship, held in Antalya.

BUDAPEST (Xinhua)-Hungarian President Laszlo Solyom says his country backs Armenia's efforts to join the European Union (EU). Solyom made clear his country's stance during a meeting Monday with visiting Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan.