Political analyst: 2019 will be the year of formation of the political field in Armenia

Arminfo, Armenia
Jan 11 2019
Ani Mshetsyan

ArmInfo. It is not a secret for anyone that the past year was very important for political life in Armenia, a change of political elite occurred in the country.  Director of the Caucasus Institute Alexander Iskandaryan said this at  a press conference on January 11.

He noted that the entire structure of the government has changed,  that is, the prime minister, the government, and the parliament.  After the change of power, society appears as serious hopes, and in  the country there are serious challenges. "Of course, a very  important fact is that the change of power took place without  violence and the letter of the law was observed, that is, there was  no violent seizure of power.  Also very important is the fact that  the new government intends to preserve all the main vectors of the  country's foreign policy. It was noted more than once that relations  with Russia, the EU, Iran, Georgia and the United States of America  are very important for Armenia, "the political scientist said.

However, according to the expert, after the revolution, as it usually  happens, serious challenges appeared in the country. "Many say that  there is no opposition in the new parliament, but the problem in this  case is much wider. The political force that is at the helm of the  state does not have a developed system of power.  Today, in a  parliamentary republic, such a republic is Armenia There is no  developed party system. With an undeveloped party system, it is  impossible to talk about the development of a parliamentary system of  government. The party "Civil Contract" is not yet a strong party with  a large number of human and political resources; it is a party that  has yet to take place. Moreover, political forces may soon begin to  have problems, since it is necessary to work out certain programs and  implement practical policies. It is impossible to enjoy the current  level of legitimacy solely by imertia ", Iskandaryan noted.

He stressed that the year 2019 will be the year of the formation of  the political field in Armenia. "Many speak about strengthening  democracy in Armenia, however, democracy is not only an election, but  it's also developed political institutions. Of course, today there is  rather strong support in the society for the new government; however,  it's more personal support. Most of the people of Armenia support  Nikol Pashinyan, not representatives of his team. The fact is that  many members of the newly elected parliament are novices in politics,  and among them there are a lot of inexperienced personnel who have  yet to get stronger, " the political scientist concluded. 

Fresno cancels Turkish food trade delegation visit

Fox 26 News
Jan 11 2019
 
 
Fresno cancels Turkish food trade delegation visit
 
by FOX26 News
Friday, January 11th 2019
 
FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — The West Mediterranean Exporters’ Association, also known as BAIB, was planning to stop in Fresno this month as part of a tour to develop business ties in California.
 
The delegation will arrive in San Francisco on January 14th and was to travel to Fresno on the 15th. The tour wraps up in Los Angeles on the 17th.
 
On Thursday, the Armenian Consul sent a news release saying the Fresno leg of the trip has been cancelled.
 
 response to recent media reports, Berj K. Apkaian, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Armenia in Fresno; CA Senator Andreas Borgeas; Fresno County EDC President/CEO Lee Ann Eager; Fresno County Farm Bureau CEO Ryan Jacobsen; and Fresno Chamber President have issue the following statement:
 
Out of respect to our community, the upcoming event scheduled for January 15 with an agriculturally-based Turkish delegation to Fresno has been cancelled.

Armenpress: Parliament staff returns 404 million drams to state budget

Parliament staff returns 404 million drams to state budget

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10:29,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 10, ARMENPRESS. The staff of the Parliament of Armenia has saved 404 million AMD during 2018, deputy chief of staff of the Parliament Arsen Babayan said on Facebook, reports Armenpress.

“This saving is a result of effective management and right regulation of expenditures. The 404 million drams saved have been returned to the state budget”, he said.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan




Gazprom threatens to reduce volume of investments in Armenia

Russian “Kommersant” periodicaltouched upon the rise in gas tariff for Gazprom Armenia.

“Kommersant” writes that in 2018, after the revolution happened in spring, opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan became prime minister,and after which Yerevan’s official relations with the Russian state structures have become complicated. In July of the previous year, the State Revenue Committee has registered tax violations in a number of gas companies, including Gazprom Armenia and its subsidiary, Avtogaz, but there is an agreement between the parties that the gas price will increase, but the tariffs for the domestic market of Armenia will not change.

Government, Central Bank managed to solve the task: 2018 inflation comprised 1.8% – Pashinyan

Government, Central Bank managed to solve the task: 2018 inflation comprised 1.8% – Pashinyan

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14:52,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 10, ARMENPRESS. Inflation in Armenia comprised 1.8% in 2018, Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Facebook, reports Armenpress.

“Contrary to the predictions according to which 3%, even 3.5-4% inflation will be recorded in 2018, the inflation in 2018 comprised 1.8%. Of course, the behavior of inflation was concerning for a moment, but the government and the Central Bank managed to reach the solution of the set task, the task of restraining the inflation”, Pashinyan said.

 

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan




Passenger flow in Armenia’s airports increases by 11.9% in 2018 compared to 2017

Passenger flow in Armenia’s airports increases by 11.9% in 2018 compared to 2017

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12:26,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 10, ARMENPRESS. Passenger flow in Armenia’s two airports comprised 2,856,673 people in 2018, which surpasses the figure of 2017 by 11.9%, Armenia International Airports CJSC told Armenpress.

The passenger flow in Zvartnots airport grew up by 10% in 2018. In 2017 2,448,251 people used the services of the Zvartnots airport, whereas this number in 2018 was 2,690,727.

The passenger flow in Gyumri’s Shirak airport comprised 165,946 people, compared to 105,664 people in 2017.

Flight-landings in both airports increased by 9.8% in January-December, 2018 compared to January-December, 2017.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan




Yerevan City Hall urges parents to not take influenza-sick children to school until recovery

Yerevan City Hall urges parents to not take influenza-sick children to school until recovery

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11:13,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 10, ARMENPRESS. Due to the season of acute respiratory infections, Yerevan City Hall has called on parents to not take children who have the flu to school or kindergarten until they recover.

Earlier on January 8 the healthcare ministry said the influenza situation is ordinary and under control.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan




Armenian Ambassador meets with Crown Prince of Kuwait

Armenian Ambassador meets with Crown Prince of Kuwait

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16:50,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 10, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Ambassador to Kuwait Sarmen Baghdasaryan on January 9 met with Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Armenian foreign ministry told Armenpress.

The Crown Prince welcomed Ambassador Baghdasaryan and expressed satisfaction over the Armenian-Kuwaiti friendly relations, wishing success to the Ambassador in his responsible mission.

In his turn Ambassador Sarmen Baghdasaryan thanked for the warm reception and wishes and conveyed the warm greetings of the Armenian President to the Crown Prince. The Ambassador assured that the high support of Kuwait to the implementation of his mission, as well as the positive image of the local Armenian community provide him great opportunities to develop the bilateral relations at all directions.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan




Pashinyan highlights ensuring high-quality education for orphanage children

Pashinyan highlights ensuring high-quality education for orphanage children

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13:53,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 10, ARMENPRESS. Acting Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan attaches importance to ensuring high-quality education for orphanage children, reports Armenpress.

During today’s Cabinet meeting Pashinyan was interested in what is the state’s obligation to children who left the orphanage.

In response deputy minister of labor and social affairs Arsen Manukyan said this is their most painful issue. “Until 2013 we had an obligation to provide them with an apartment, and there are 221 children in our list, towards whom this obligation has not been implemented, but 167 people have been provided with apartments in different provincs. One of our tasks must be what package we should offer them after they turn 18 years old”, he said.

He said that after 2013 a social place of residence is provided, but, unfortunately, the social housing fund is completely used at the moment.

Pashinyan asked whether the state provides proper education to the orphanage kids.

Arsen Manukyan said there are problems here.

Nikol Pashinyan in his turn noted: “Although it’s not a matter of choice, but if you ask my opinion, ensuring education for them is more important rather than providing any material thing. Our policy should be that they must receive proper education. The ministries must cooperate in the future so that we can propose new solutions here”.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan