Thursday, 25 May 2017
Karen Karapetyan: “We will be consistent, and the Clean Armenia program shall be continued.”
A Cabinet sitting was held today, chaired by Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan. Before proceeding to the agenda, the Prime Minister gave a number of instructions.
Speaking about the Clean Armenia program, Karen Karapetyan noted that preparatory work has been carried out in anticipation of the national clean-up day of May 27. “At the same time, I look forward to active participation and full support of the heads of executive agencies and the Government Staff for the activities of the interdepartmental commission. We will be consistent, and the Clean Armenia program shall be continued. In particular, we suggest introducing the institute of sanitary inspectors. We will come up with a legislative initiative over a specific legal act on waste management and sanitation by the end of 2017,” Karen Karapetyan said and issued strict instructions, urging the relevant government agencies to submit recommendations on the establishment of a special unit, which should impose administrative responsibility, including fines and penalties in cases of dumping garbage at unauthorized sites.
The Head of Government also issued instructions concerning the bankruptcy proceedings, the need for ensuring a unified architectural style in buildings, roofs and other elements, as well as the effective management of public property.
The Government established general standards for electronic documents and electronic signature application procedures, the application of electronic signature services or actions bringing the overall operation of electronic systems to the technical requirements in electronic form as provided by central and local governments. The decision defines the minimum technical standards applicable to the provision of services described by the signatures of mobile operators. At the same time, it will help comply with the commitments assumed before the EU under the budget support grant program and provide simple tools for the citizens to comfortably get electronic services.
Commenting on the decision, the Prime Minister noted that the citizens are offered access to email and other tool-kits, which will facilitate access to certain services. Answering the Prime Minister’s question, Acting Minister-Chief of Government Staff Davit Haroutunyan noted that the decision is expected to set the deadlines for the integration to this system of electronic service providers and government agencies. “So, we will have a growth in the scope of public services, since it is in our hands up to local governments. I am confident steps will be taken to that effect,” Mr Harutyunyan said.
The Government amended a previous decision to streamline the complex of veterinary checks and inspections in livestock farms, slaughterhouses, fisheries. The amendment sets out clear-cut standards and regulations for the competent authority to carry out inspections based on a checklist, which is an important step towards introducing international food safety standards and requirements in the field of veterinary inspections. This will result in more efficient and consistent controls without hampering the legitimate rights and interests of business operators.
The Prime Minister told Acting Minister of Agriculture I. Arakelyan to properly inform the economic operators of these requirements. “They need to know beforehand the requirements set by the State Food Security Service,” the Head of Government said. The Government approved the general description of the methodology of risk-based complex tax audits and the risk-assessment standards.
The Government approved a set of draft amendments to the following laws and legal acts: “On corruption prevention and corruption prevention authority,” “On National Assembly Rules of Procedure constitutional law,” “On enforcement of court rulings” and “On enforcement of Compulsory Enforcement Service-adopted acts.” The meeting next approved a bill “On State property privatization program for 2017-2020.”
The Cabinet decided to suggest the Speaker of the National Assembly convene an extraordinary National Assembly session on June 8, at 11: 00.
The Prime Minister appointed Karen Botoyan to the office of Governor of Gegharkunik Marz. Congratulating the newly appointed governor, Karen Karapetyan stated in part, “Mr. Botoyan, we expect the governors to improve their work style and make systematic changes to the format of their performance statements in 2017. I wish you good luck.” The Prime Minister reminded that the American University of Armenia is going to hold training courses for Marz governors. In this context, the Premier noted that the governors’ performance assessment criteria will be revised in the near future. “We will take up the matter later this year. We believe that Marz governors should have balanced rights and responsibilities.”
