Monday, 22 May 2017
Government Holds Extraordinary Cabinet Meeting
An extraordinary Cabinet sitting was held today, chaired by Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan.
The agenda featured six items. The meeting first approved a number of bills to be submitted to the National Assembly in the prescribed manner. The Government suggested the President of the National Assembly call an extraordinary National Assembly session on May 30, at 11: 00.
The meeting specifically approved a set of amendments to the law on the organization of the government and a number of other laws. The amendments seek to bring the law into conformity with the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia, which provides that the number of ministers should be eighteen. In addition, the bill aims to ensure smooth transition from semi-presidential to parliamentary form of government and enhance efficiency in public administration. As a result, the political position of Minister-Chief of Government Staff will be replaced by the Chief of Government Staff discretionary position. The names of deputy positions will be changed accordingly.
The meeting approved a package of draft amendments to the law On Social Protection of Public Servants and the law On Investigation Committee. The bills seek to lift the restriction on prosecutors’ and investigators’ entitlement to long-service pension. The Executive next approved a bill on amendments to the law On Legal Acts, meant to change the drat legal act efficiency assessment philosophy.
The current legislation provides that the assessment of the impact should be based the analysis of possible changes resulting from the adoption of normative acts. The bill provides that the regulatory impact assessment is a tool supporting the effectiveness of decisions adopted by the legislative body.
The Government approved a bill on amendments to the law On Television and Radio and a draft law on amending the RA law On State Duty. The bills were endorsed in an effort to streamline the terms and procedures for licensing of radio broadcasters due to the fact that the licensing deadlines had been extended several times following Armenia’s transition to digital broadcasting. The amended and improved tender terms will open the market for new radio broadcasters and enlarge the scope of radio coverage, which in turn will help increase the quantity and quality of radio broadcasts nationwide, including the border areas. The bill on amendments to the law On State Duty envisages revision of State duty rates.
The Government also approved the draft law on amendments to the law On International Agreements. The bill is meant to streamline the process of ratification; suspension and revocation of international treaties in the transition period from the first session of the newly elected National Assembly till the time the President-elect assumes office. Note that the right to initiate a draft law on ratification, suspension or revocation of international treaties is reserved to the Government.
