ARMENIAN PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN RECEIVES MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC COUNCIL
646/lang/en
2010-02-24
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 24, ARMENPRESS: Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
received today members of the Public Council who presented to the
leader of the country issues connected with the development of
agriculture and internet quality.
The president said that he is aware of the extended discussions in
the Public Council starting from the process of normalization of the
Armenian Turkish relations up to the improvement of the quality of
TV broadcast. "The essential thing is that these issues pass a wide
discussion. This is an important circumstance as many see that there
are issues in the society: but one thing is to see and another suggest
solutions," the president of the country said.
Chairman of the Public Council Vazgen Manukyan noted that the council
wants to be useful for the public, so that a state based on national
values be built, civil society be formed. For reaching it besides
improving of many laws other issues also exist.
"There are issues of protection of human rights, development of
industry and agriculture. People must be able to work and keep family
with their salary," V. Manukyan said, highlighting also issues of
upbringing and those of educational system.
Referring to the development of agriculture, V. Manukyan noted that the
state support is necessary in this issue. "Without it no agriculture
may develop. We must think how to make agriculture effective and how
to keep the village. We suggest creation of rural cooperative farm,"
V. Manukyan said.
Member of the Public Council Khosrov Harutyunyan noted that since
independence extended investments have been made in the agricultural
sphere, the infrastructures have been upgraded, and particularly
the irrigation systems. According to him, not all investments have
registered enough results in respect of organization of effective
agriculture.
Another member of the Public Council Vladimir Movsissyan noted that
there is an issue of not-usage of certain infrastructures because
of which the invested means are not effective. According to him,
as to developed infrastructures they are not available for farmers.
"The irrigation system is quite developed but the water is not
available. The creation of cooperative is very important but it must
not be overestimated, the economy must develop in a diversified way,"
V. Movsissyan said.
Members of the Public Council also presented to S. Sargsyan the issues
connected with the increase of internet tariffs and its quality. V.
Manukyan noted that in Armenia the internet tariff is several times
higher than in neighboring countries, besides we have an issue of
internet availability.
Member of the Council Hovik Musayelyan noted that there are many
achievements in the IT sector. In the previous year the economy had
14.5% reduction but the IT sector had double digit growth. According
to him, the obstacle to the complete development of the sector is
not the tariff but the quality.
"If the quality of internet is bad we cannot normally export our
product. If in Armenia a product corresponding to international
standards is issued and we cannot export it because of bad quality
of internet it is already a serious issue," H. Musayelyan said.
According to him, the Public Council has adopted a decision which
establishes standards of special quality in case of violation of
which fines will be established.
RA Economy Minister Nerses Yeritsyan noted that the state will
implement a clear policy by establishing certain standards of providing
internet services. In that case certain events will be carried out
from the point of view of protection of interests of consumers.
S. Sargsyan considered the presented issues as very important, noting
that with one, two discussions huge progress cannot be expected.
According to him, the voiced suggestions will be taken into
consideration and the responsible of the spheres will display relevant
approach.