NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PASSES IN FIRST READING BILL ON ALCOHOLIC DRINKS WITH GRAPE RAW MATERIAL

Noyan Tapan
March 19, 2008

YEREVAN, MARCH 19, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA National Assembly on March 19
passed in the first reading 5 bills discussed the day before. Among
these bills was the government-prepared bill on alcoholic drinks with
grape raw material, which aims at legislative control of viticulture
and production, processing, marking and technological bases of
alcoholic drinks with grape raw material and at bringing them in
line with international standards. According to the government, the
bill was developed based on the EU respective body’s 1999 decision
on organization of a common market of viticulture and wine-making.

The adoption of the law will allow economic entities engaged in these
sectors of Armenian economy to integrate into international market
and overcome the export-related obstacles.

By the other bills passed by the NA, some amendments and additions are
made to a number of laws, including the Law on Ensuring the Security
of Persons Subject to Special State Protection. It is also envisaged
to discuss urgently this bill in the second reading.

The parliament ratified the agreement on cooperation on professional
training and improving the qualification of specialists of CIS member
states, which was signed in Yalta on May 25, 2007.