Thursday, 22 April 2010
Armenia’s economy in the stage of recovery
Chaired by Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, the government met in a session at the Office of Government. Before proceeding to the agenda, the Prime Minister addressed the members of government (The Prime Minister’s introductory remarks are available under a separate chapter).
Based on RA legislation and in celebration of 65th anniversary of Great Patriotic War, the government has decided to provide war veterans with the privileged right of traveling free of charge in the municipal passenger transport of common use (exclusive of microbuses and passenger taxis) and approved the sample pass giving free travel: “We all have a moral duty with respect to our war veterans,” Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said. 3800 such veterans are still alive needing public care. The Prime Minister suggested finding an accurate legal wording for the decree and called on the owners of private carriers to allow free traveling service for the veterans of war.
The government amended a previous decree allocating AMD 60,500.0 thousand to the Ministry of Urban Development under the disaster zone housing program in order to complete the government’s program by settling for program beneficiaries the amount of State duty due for notary approval throughout the year 2010.
The Executive earmarked AMD 20,776.0 from its reserve fund to Tavush marz administration with the view of addressing the needs of those landslide-hit households in Haghartsin community short of financial support. The decree envisages purchase of ready-to-use accommodation on market sale for 4 such households allowing for possible changes in the number of family members but making it a condition that the old buildings should be demolished.
The Cabinet endorsed the draft amendment to the Republic of Armenia law on police service canceling the right to being admitted to the Police Academy for such individuals as have not passed the mandatory army service. This decree was deemed to be urgent under another decision adopted at the session.
The government approved the amendments to RA laws on Trade and Services, Value Added Tax, Profit Tax etc. The above package creates legal bases for introduction of a unified system of product labeling.
The government next endorsed the draft law on approval of FY2009 State budget performance report. Government agencies were told to submit by this April 26 their comments and proposals to the Ministry of Finance. The Minister of Finance was charged to finalize the report for cabinet hearings by this April 28.
The Executive approved a package of amendments to RA laws on the National Academy of Sciences and on Research and Development Activities fostering NAS activities toward the development of fundamental research and applied sciences, defining system organization, its relations with State agencies, scientific partners and other stakeholders. Understanding that the bill had already been introduced to the scientific circles of Armenia, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan expressed hope that the paper would be discussed in the National Assembly as well.
The aforementioned draft laws and government findings will be sent to National Assembly in the manner established by law.
