Author: Tania Jagharian

 18:06,

YEREVAN, MAY 24, ARMENPRESS. A consultation chaired by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was held, during which issues related to fiscal policy and the tax reform agenda were discussed, ARMENPRESS was infomred from the Office of the Prime Minister. 

The analysis of the Ministry of Finance on the concept of tax revenue management, the revised draft of the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework for 2023-2025 and on the state budget execution in the first quarter of 2022 was presented.

Minister of Finance Tigran Khachatryan referred to the structure of tax revenues, the goals of the reform of a number of types of taxes, the opportunities for improving the tax-to-GDP ratio based on that. The process of evaluating the MTEF expenditure quotas and the evaluation process of the applications submitted by the departments, which were carried out based on the Government Action Plan 2021-2026, sectoral strategies, regulations, cost planning, and the realism of the applications was reported. It was mentioned that the revision of the fiscal framework of the MTEF for 2023-2025 is also conditioned by the international economic situation and the forecasts on the economic growth of the partner countries. Forecasts on macroeconomic indicators, economic growth, opportunities and risks to meet the Government's targets in terms of current and capital expenditures were presented.

State budget execution report for the first quarter of 2022 was discussed. The Prime Minister was presented with the performance of revenues and expenditures by departments. It was noted that based on the results, the macroeconomic impact was assessed, and proposals for improving the expenditure process were developed.

During the exchange of views, issues related to the programs and reforms envisaged by the Government's Action Plan were discussed.

The Prime Minister drew the attention of the concerned officials to the performance of expenditures provided for by the State Budget 2022, instructed to be consistent so that both current and capital expenditure programs are fully implemented. Nikol Pashinyan noted that there was no program that was not implemented due to lack of financial resources and the government will continue this approach. At the same time, it’s necessary to focus on the content of the programs and the quality of the work, as well as the reforms in other areas.

Summing up the consultation, the Prime Minister instructed to continue the discussions.

 15:56,

YEREVAN, MAY 18, ARMENPRESS. The Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs received around 4000 repatriation applications in 4 months.

Hovhannes Alexanyan, the Director of the Department of Strategy Development at the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs said at a press conference that most of the applications concern the citizenship acquisition procedures, enrollment in educational institutions, healthcare issues, relocating businesses to Armenia and possibilities of importing personal-use cargo through customs borders.

“The repatriation process is rather difficult; there are cases when we work with families for 6 months or even a year before they arrive to Armenia. Many of them want to get citizenship, status initially and then benefit from the privileges envisaged for repatriates. For example, in 2021 we had around 7300 compatriots from 45 countries who obtained Armenian citizenship. Most of them come from Russia, Lebanon, Iran, Georgia, Syria, and the United States and European countries. Last year, 2070 of our compatriots obtained the status of permanent residency or special residency in Armenia. Surely it is difficult to say what percentage of our compatriots are permanently residing in Armenia, but at least it is obvious that half of them are in Armenia. Many of them have dual citizenship, even three citizenships and are organizing their lives in different countries,” Alexanyan said.

Alexanyan said in the context of repatriation they view not only the compatriots representing the classic Diaspora, but also those who left Armenia years ago due to socio-economic or other reasons and are now returning.

“Repatriates encounter several issues, particularly accommodation. They even apply to us with requests to find apartments for rent. They ask for legal support while buying apartments. The next issue concerns customs regulations. Our legislation enables repatriates to move their personal property to Armenia without customs payments,” Alexanyan said.

Armenian language courses are also organized for repatriates.

 20:53,

YEREVAN, MAY 17, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Finland Pekka Haavisto has signed the application for NATO membership, ARMENPRESS reports, TASS informed noting that the ceremony was broadcast live on Yle TV channel.

A while ago the President of Finland Sauli Niinistö, who is in Stockholm on a state visit, officially confirmed in a live broadcast the decision made by the country's parliament to join the bloc.

The parliament of Finland on May 17 voted in favor of the proposal to join NATO, 188 deputies voted in favor, eight were against the application. Sweden also plans to submit the application tomorrow.

 11:45,

YEREVAN, MAY 14, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan received Chair of the Accounts Chamber of Russia Aleksei Kudrin, the PM’s Office said.

PM Pashinyan said that this year marks the 30^th anniversary of the Armenian-Russian diplomatic relations, which is marked by active bilateral high-ranking mutual visits. According to him, they contribute to the close partnership between the governments and other bodies, the strengthening of ties and exchange of experience. Pashinyan added that the purpose of the government is to make the activity of the public administration system more effective and in this context he highlighted Russia’s experience, as well as the cooperation of the Armenian Audit Chamber and the Accounts Chamber of Russia.

Aleksei Kudrin said that they have held productive discussions with Armenian partners, which, he said, are important in terms of applying new approaches in the activity. He also attached importance to expanding the cooperation and presented the activity and results of the Accounts Chamber.

The sides also exchanged ideas about other issues of the Armenian-Russian relations agenda.

Aleksei Kudrin also met with Armenia’s Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan during which they discussed the development of the cooperation.

 15:30,

YEREVAN, MAY 12, ARMENPRESS. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk will lead a delegation to Armenia on May 12, according to the official platform.

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 16:32,

YEREVAN, MAY 11, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan continues its policy of aggression against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said during a lecture at the Netherlands Institute of International Relations Clingendael in response to a question from the audience.

“Unfortunately Azerbaijan continues its very aggressive policy against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. You know that there is a Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno Karabakh. And the main objective of the Azerbaijani diplomacy in the recent months was the following: They go the EU and the US and say ‘look, Armenia is a pro-Russian country’, in some cases they say ‘with a proxy Russian government’, and then they go to Russia and tell them look ‘Armenia is a pro-Western country, look how they are building ties with the West’. Sometimes they say that the government in Armenia was brought to power by the West through a color revolution, which is acting against Russia’”, Pashinyan said.

Pashinyan said that by doing so Azerbaijan seeks to develop an understanding of its aggressive policy against Armenia in both the West and in Russia. He said that they can’t say that there are no arguments to substantiate this position. “The objective reality is that there are arguments to substantiate this position because Armenia is a strategic ally of Russia, it is a CSTO member and an EEU member, and has very warm and close relations with Russia. On the other hand, the relations of Armenia with the EU and EU member states are gradually deepening because the EU is Armenia’s main partner in the democratic reforms area,” Pashinyan said.

Speaking about the observation in the question that Armenia is trying to carry out a multilateral policy, the PM said that he can add that multilateral policy is in turn being attempted against Armenia itself. “And not only must we carry out multilateral policy but we must also be able to manage the risks that are emerging as a result of carrying out this policy,” Pashinyan said.

The PM stressed that Armenia is engaged in balanced policy and that the Armenian government is guided by national interests of Armenia. He emphasized that the Armenian government is attaching importance to all relations but that it is highly important for these relations not to be at the expense of one another. “The world order is changing before our eyes and no one knows how it will be as a result. I want to say that times like these are the most dangerous times for countries like Armenia, this must be recorded and understood. Carrying out balanced policy isn’t easy for us at all, but we are trying to do everything to succeed,” Pashinyan said.