Daily Archives: December 29, 2013

President in Moscow participated at the sitting of the Eurasian Economic Supreme Council held in the extended format

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Եվրասիական տնտեսական բարձրագույն խորհրդի ընդլայնված կազմով նիստ

President Serzh Sargsyan, who is in the Russian Federation on a working visit, on December 24 in Moscow participated at the Eurasian Economic Supreme Council held in the extended format which was conducted with the participation of the Presidents of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan and the Prime Minister of Ukraine.

The Eurasian Economic Supreme Council at the level of state leaders along with other issues adopted a plan of action (“road map”) for the Republic of Armenia’s accession to the Customs Union and Common Economic Area of the Republic of Belarus, Republic of Kazakhstan and Russian Federation. The members of the Council adopted a decision to approve the plan of action (“road map”). The governments of the Republic of Belarus, Republic of Kazakhstan and Russian Federation and Eurasian economic commission were tasked together with the government of the Republic of Armenia to work towards the implementation of the steps envisaged by the plan of action. The Eurasian economic commission was also directed to carry out the monitoring of the implementation of the steps envisaged by the plan and to inform the Republic of Belarus, Republic of Kazakhstan and Russian Federation on the results of the monitoring.

According to the mentioned above decision, the Eurasian economic commission will report on the works for the implementation of the steps envisaged by the plan of action to the next meeting of the Eurasian Economic Supreme Council held at the level of the heads of state.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Presidents of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Belarus and Armenia signed a Declaration on the plan of action (“road map”) of the Republic of Armenia’s accession to the Customs Union and Common Economic Area of the Republic of Belarus, Republic of Kazakhstan and Russian Federation. In order to deepen integration processes between Armenia and Customs Union and Common Economic Area member states, as well as acknowledging the necessity to further develop mutually beneficial economic cooperation between the Republic of Armenia, Customs Union and Common Economic Area member states, supporting the intent of the Republic of Armenia to become a full member of the Common Economic Area, the four Presidents who signed the document declared that the plan of action (“road map”) was adopted and spoke in favor of implementation of the steps envisaged by the “road map” aimed at Armenia’s accession to the Eurasian integration project.

Zvartnots Airport Development Project Approved

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Chaired by the Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, the Government held this year’s final session.

The Government approved the concessionaire-drafted Master Plan of Zvartnots airport development project for 2013-2017 in line with the arrangement signed between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and Corporation America S. A. on December 18, 2001.

“The concessionaire is believed to invest USD102mn in the project, which is recognized as the best in the CIS. The investment will on the one hand help enhance the quality of services and, on the other hand, develop tourism. This is a priority for us.”

The Executive approved the “Tourism Support Services 2014” program and its implementation schedule. The program seeks to enhance Armenia’s standing as a tourist-friendly and attractive country through active and effective marketing policies in the international market, diversify tourism products and ensure harmonious regional development.

Answering the Prime Minister’s questions, the speakers noted that tourism has already been promoted with the government’s open skies policies, which led to partly devaluation of the airfare. In this connection, the Prime Minister said that serious changes are expected in 2014, with the appearance of new airlines whose flights may create better conditions for the development of inbound tourism in Armenia.

The Government amended an earlier decree to establish that the basic pension will be AMD 14 thousand, with 700 dram seniority value added for the first 10 years of employment and 450 dram for each following year. Thus, the average pension will be 36 thousand dram in 2014 as compared to about 31 thousand in 2013.

An increase is also due in the disability and perished breadwinner’s retirement pensions paid to rank and file soldiers and their family members (from 16.400 to around 17.500). The scheduled rise in military pensions will be effective from July 1, 2014.

With its next decision, the government set the size of the old-age allowance at AMD14 thousand. Disability benefits will range from 14 thousand (third group) to 19 600 drams (first group). Funeral allowance will be paid to the extent of AMD 200 thousand as of January 1, 2014.

The meeting also amended another decision to lower the threshold set for family allowances. As a result, the scope of beneficiaries will be expanded by some 270 thousand people entitled to free health care.

In conclusion, the Prime Minister extended his New Year’s greetings: “I wish you all every success so that all the projects and goals that you have set before you may come true as they are aimed at improving the socio-economic situation, better our citizens’ life and raise the standard of living in the country.”