SOCIAL SITUATION DISCUSSED

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| 16:40:23 | 11-10-2005 | Official |

Today Armenian President Robert Kocharian held a working meeting with
Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Aghvan Vardanyan.

The parties discussed draft budget of social and insurance programs
for 2006 providing for a sum 9 billion AMD exceeding that of the one
allocated last year.

The Minister also presented the process of fulfilling the
recommendations on rising the pensions of military and war
veterans. From January 2006 the amount of pensions will be as well
raised.

The President and the Minister discussed the system of benefits,
pension reform strategy and new bills submitted by the National
Assembly.