Tag Archives: Tigran Sargsyan

Tigran Sargsyan Sums Up Outcome Of Meeting With Russian Counterpart

Posted on by
Reply

Տիգրան Սարգսյան

Following his meeting with Russian Premier Dmitry Medvedev, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan introduced some details to the news reporters. In particular, he advised that the status of Armenia’s Customs Union and Common Economic Space joining roadmap activities had been discussed during the meeting.

“We traced back the actions implemented by the Armenian side. The Russian side hailed the activities of our working groups. We also discussed how Russia might help us implement the roadmap more effectively, since we need grant funds to develop appropriate infrastructure, to build up a single database and unified networks. We look forward to being assisted by our partners in these matters,” the Prime Minister said.

According to Tigran Sargsyan, per-sector estimates have been made as to the resources needed to improve infrastructure. The finalized figures will be made public upon completion of the talks. Another key topic was Rosneft’s investment projects in Armenia.

“We took note of Rosneft President Igor Sechin’s report on the activities already completed and the actions planned. USD500mn-worth investment is scheduled under Rosneft’s Armenia project. We are going to have a substantial discussion next week to see what conditions should be provided to expedite the process. Of course, the program features Nairit chemical plant, because the workers currently employed will make up the kernel of the new plant’s staff,” the Prime Minister advised.
Անկախ

Tigran Sargsyan, Dmitry Medvedev Discuss Broad Range Of Bilateral Economic Cooperation-Related Issues

Posted on by
Reply

սարգսյան-մեդվեդև

As part of his working visit to Sochi (the Russian Federation), Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan met today with Russian Premier Dmitry Medvedev.

On behalf of his government and the people of Armenia, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan complimented his Russian counterpart for high-level organization of the Winter Olympics in Sochi, as well as for Russian athletes’ good performance and the historic record set. “It was a great holiday and we were all delighted with that brilliant sporting event as the atmosphere was wonderful there,” Tigran Sargsyan said.

“Dear Tigran Sureni, I welcome you to Sochi. I would like to thank you for attending the closing ceremony. This is also the emblem of our friendship and partnership. We now have the opportunity to refer to all the aspects of Russian-Armenian cooperation at a working meeting like this, talk about what has been done to prepare for Armenia’s accession to the Customs Union and how things stand as regards bilateral trade turnover,” Dmitry Medvedev noted.

The two heads of government went on to discuss a number of issues high on the agenda of the Armenian-Russian strategic partnership, including joint projects in the spheres of energy, industry and infrastructure.

Prime Minister Sargsyan said Russian companies are playing a key role in Armenia’s economy. “There are over a thousand Russian companies operating in Armenia. Russia is the largest investor in our country’s economy, and we hope that investments will keep on coming into different sectors of economy,” Tigran Sargsyan pointed out.

Pleased with the growing pace of trade turnover, the prime ministers expressed confidence that it would go expanding after Armenia’s joining the Customs Union and the Common Economic Space.

Tigran Sargsyan and Dmitry Medvedev hailed the pace of the accession roadmap activities. The Russian Premier said Armenia’s involvement in the Eurasian integration process would impart a new impetus to bilateral economic cooperation.

In this context, Tigran Sargsyan and Dmitry Medvedev talked about the extension of the Armenian NPP modernization and operating timelines, nuclear safety enhancement measures, as well as a broad range of issues relating to industrial and humanitarian cooperation.

Dmitry Medvedev invited Tigran Sargsyan to attend the Winter Olympics’ closing ceremony later on February 23, during which the Prime Minister had a brief talk with RF President Vladimir Putin.
 

Անկախ

National Defense In Public Spotlight

Posted on by
Reply

նիստ

A Cabinet sitting was held today, chaired by Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan.

 

Opening the meeting, the Prime Minister gave the floor to Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan. The latter reported that after the failed attempt of sabotage act committed by the special units of the enemy on the night of 19 to 20 January, there is some tension on the Azeri side. Meanwhile, our people should not have any safety concerns, since our soldiers are on the watch as always.

 

Reminding that the Government has been providing financial assistance to vulnerable households for gas, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said this policy will be continued, and 1 cubic meter of gas will still cost 100 drams for such families. A decision to that effect is due within a week.

 

The Government approved a timetable for implementation of the program of activities (road map) to accede to the Customs Union and Common Economic Space of the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation, through which public agencies will have a clear view of their participation in the activities and the timing provisions to implement them in accordance with the established procedure.

 

The Government agreed to the proposal for signing an agreement between the Government of Armenia and the United Nations on emergency import, export and transit of relief supplies and humanitarian assistance.

On the basis of reciprocity, the Government decided to exempt Japanese citizens with diplomatic passports from the requirement to obtain Republic of Armenia entry visas.

 

The meeting decided to extend until July, 2014 the temporary import customs regime for goods and equipment imported and not re-exported by Golden Field LLC. Note that the company has been manufacturing high pressure motorcar gas cylinders since 2007. The company employs some 150 people, with around 70 percent of the output exported abroad. Golden Field LLC has signed three major export contracts enabling them to export the entire volume of cylinders.

 

With another decision, the Executive granted a temporary import customs regime extension till September 2015 to VKS Armenia LLC, which is providing clothing services to a number of foreign organizations and, to this end, has set up production units in Yerevan, Vanadzor and Amasia. All the needed machinery and equipment is imported from abroad.

 

In conclusion, the Government decided to reorganize the Yerevan State University of Architecture and Engineering into National Fund of Architecture and Engineering. The newly established Fund will be in a better position to improve the quality of education through flexible and efficient use of property, closer cooperation with foreign investors and thereby increase its fiscal contributions.

The meeting discussed some forty items altogether.
Անկախ

Government Hearings Of 2013 State Agency Performance Reports Kick Off

Posted on by
Reply

կառավարությունում

Chaired by Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, the government proceeded today with the hearings of public agency performance, government action plan and priority tasks implementation reports for 2013.

Reports were delivered by the ministers of Labor and Social Affairs, Healthcare, Sport and Youth Affairs, Diaspora, Agriculture, Finance, Energy and Natural Resources, Economy, Transport and Communications, as well as the heads of the Social Insurance Public Service, Ministry of Agriculture-affiliated State Food Security Service, State Property Management Department and General Department of Civil Aviation.

The speakers reported back the status of priority tasks for 2013, dwelling on the recorded shortfalls, after which the head of government instructed them to eliminate the existing shortcomings.

In conclusion, the Prime Minister referred to the performance of individual agencies and staff divisions. The speakers gave explanations concerning the delay in the implementation or non-implementation of specific tasks.

The aforementioned agencies’ summary action plans and performance reports for the year 2013 are available at their official websites.

Անկախ

Society Should Be Enabled To Monitor Government Activities

Posted on by
Reply

նիստ2

The first Cabinet sitting of 2014 was held today, chaired by Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan.

Opening the meeting, the Prime Minister addressed the audience: “Good afternoon, dear colleagues. I wish you all a happy New Year and Merry Christmas. May 2014 bring us new achievements in public service. We are in for a hard work’s year. We have approved per-agency priorities for 2014. My first directive therefore is that you get them through to the public-at-large so that society could monitor the activities of ministries and agencies.

Down to the agenda, the meeting approved a substantiated 100-point program of government activities, as well as 77 priorities for the year 2014. The Government decided that the Industrial Development Fund shall be the main operator of the activities of export-oriented industrial strategy policy of the Republic of Armenia and the Government-approved annual program of State support for activities under the strategy of export-oriented industrial policy.

The Government next established that the Enterprise Incubator Foundation would be the main operator on the activities of the program of State support of the technology center of Gyumri. The decision provides that upon completion of the building at Gai-1 in Gyumri, before registration of the building, the maintenance of said real estate will be carried out by the Enterprise Incubator Foundation. Any such assets acquired with a view to implementing the annual programs of Gyumri Techno Park to a total book value of about AMD70mn shall be donated to Enterprise Incubator Foundation.

The Government approved the concept of a model disability assessment system based on the World Health Organization-drafted international classification of functions, as well as a timetable for its implementation.

The Government agreed to the proposal on signing an agreement between the governments of Armenia and Ukraine on cooperation in the field of seismic protection and a memorandum of understanding between the Governments of the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of India on founding a telemedicine network in Armenia.

Recognition, Appreciation Of State Symbols Deemed As Primary Concern

Posted on by
Reply

հհ կառավարության նիստ

The Government held a regular meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan. Opening the meeting, the Prime Minister referred to the questions of submitting a new application to the Millennium Challenge Corpration and the introduction of the funded pension system starting January 1, 2014 (see separately).

After the agenda had been approved, the Executive proceeded to the discussion.

The Government approved amendments to the bills on the law on the Flag of the Republic of Armenia and on Coat of Arms of the Republic of Armenia that had been developed jointly by a Prime Minister-established working group on recognition, appreciation and popularization of State symbols. “Menk” Foundation for Preservation of National Values and in collaboration with other non-governmental organizations.

Tigran Sargsyan noted in this connection, “We have to thank the NGOs, who were proactive, consistent, and were interested in this issue. We also have to ask them to take under control and monitor the enforcement of this law considering the coat of arms and the flag are State symbols, which contribute to the patriotic education of our youth. We are very grateful to the civil society.”

The Government next approved the initiative to extend the enactment of the law on citizens in breach of the procedure of compulsory military service untill December 1, 2013, allowing those offenders over 27 years of age to pay the stipulated fee within the prescribed deadlines, return to the homeland and be safe from prosecution. With the next decision, the meeting considered the bill to be of top priority.

The above draft laws will be sent to the National Assembly in the manner established by law.

The Cabinet approved the fundamental document to be part of Armenia’s official thematic reports subject for submission to UN monitoring bodies and instructed the Minister of Justice to ensure its translation.

The Revised National Report of the Republic of Armenia concerning the European Social Charter was next approved by the session (reference period 2009-2012).

In conclusion, the Executive approved a proposal for signing a protocol on amendments to three agreements on cooperation between the CIS-member States. The agreements relate to the determination of the country of origin of goods, the Trade Fair and the development of congress activities, as well as a number of previously signed instruments on coordination of intergovernmental relations.

PM Congratulates Armenian Jewelers On Professional Holiday

Posted on by
Reply

Տիգրան Սարգսյան, Ոսկերչի ազգային օր

Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan welcomed yesterday the members of the World Congress of Armenian Jewelers at Government’s Conference Hall, who are in Armenia to attend the opening of National Jewelers’ Day-dated “Yerevan Show -2013” international jewelry exhibition.

“On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, I congratulate you on National Jeweler’s Day. Appreciating our jewelers’ contribution to the economic development of Armenia and granting their request, the Government established that the last Sunday of October should be marked as the jewelers’ professional holiday. The Government thereby emphasizes how much it values this sector that we consider to be an economic priority. I would like to congratulate all the participants of this wonderful event, wishing them successful and fruitful work.

Armenian jewelers have centuries-long traditions. It is our comparative advantage, which we are obliged to use. We have talented jewelers, prominent businessmen, and it proves that our talented people can compete and achieve great success in this area. The Government signed an agreement with the World Congress of Armenian Jewelers to lay Thursday foundations of public-private partnership and assume mutual obligations.

The Government has undertaken to consider jewelry as a priority sector and provide the most favorable conditions for its development. In this regard, the establishment of the free economic zone will be a strong impetus for the development of the jewelry industry in our country.

Concluding my speech, I wish to assure you that you have a reliable partner in the face of the Government of Armenia. We are ready to raise jewelry to such a high level through joint effort that our people may be proud of the achievements we have had and we will have ahead.”

 

10804_am_6

The Prime Minister next talked to Armenian jewelers coming from different countries, exchanging views on the ongoing projects, development opportunities and prospects.

“Yerevan Show – 2013” international jewelry exhibition was held on October 28 – the day following the National Jeweler’s Day. Participating in this exhibition are jewelry and watch producing companies, as well as jewelers, jewelry suppliers from more than two dozen countries.

 

A Number of Facilities To Be Completed

Posted on by
Reply

ՀՀ կառավարության նիստ

A Cabinet sitting was held today, chaired by Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan.

The Government made redistributions in the 2013 State budget and amended one of its earlier decisions to allocate AMD61mn to the Ministry of Urban Development to implement expenditure programs, complete the ongoing construction sites with no due dates designed to provide financial support (reasonable proportion) of design documents, pay for the services rendered in 2012-2013.

In this context, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan addressed the issue of monitoring and completing the State-owned and unfinished construction sites: “The point is that we have an obligation to provide welfare housing to the citizens of certain social groups. It will cost us far less, if we complete the unfinished sites rather than start new ones. If there are any unfinished facilities, it is advisable to spend money on them. The same applies to unfinished facilities in the private sector. There are many buildings unfinished for more than 10 years now, and we can not watch them fall into decrepitude. We have to make a decision about what to do, if the private sector does not comply with the obligation of bringing them to completion. As a result, many problems arise due to these issues, which need discussing and tackling, inclusive of penalties or judicial processes.”

The Government has set an export insurance company in line with the government’s export- oriented industrial strategy. The company is meant to safeguard the bank of exporters or exporting company from the risk of non-payment by the borrower or buyer, create new ways insurance schemes for banks, lower interest rates and expand the banks’ coverage of export operations.

The Government amended one of its earlier decisions, allocating AMD8mn to Veterinary and Phytosanitary Laboratory Service Center SNCO for the purchase of materials and supplies necessary for honey expertise.

With the next decision, the Executive approved standards, health certification procedures and certification forms applicable to honey and other bee products fit for human consumption and due for export toward the European Union.

The meeting decided to earmark AMD22.5mn to the Ministry of Culture for transfer to Minas Avetisyan charitable foundation in order to ensure the fixation and restoration of “Armenia” fresco by Minas Avetisyan now on display at the House of Culture in Vahramaberd village of Shirak Marz. To remind, in the period 2010-2012, the Foundation fixed, restored and moved a number of key works by Minas Avetisyan, including “Meeting,” “Khachkar,” “Carpet Weaving,” “Yerkank,” “Spinning,” “Armenian Pastoral,” etc.

In conclusion, the Government decided to exempt from the payment of entry visa-necessitated State duties those foreign nationals featuring on the list of “Sahakyan” choir due to arrive from Turkey to Armenia for a concert tour this October 14 to 2013.

NCFA Board Meeting Reviews Armenia’s Economic Development Trends, ANCF Programs

Posted on by
Reply

10347_am_2Chaired by Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, the Board of Trustees of Armenia’s National Competitiveness Fund held a regular meeting in Office of Government.

After discussing the minutes of the last meeting and approving the agenda of today’s meeting, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan presented the economic results recorded in the first quarter of this year and in 2012.

Economic performance was said to have been on the upgrade in the first three months of 2013. In particular, the economic activity index was 8.7%, with the GDP standing at 11.7%. Compared to the same period of 2012, industry grew by 15.8%, agriculture – 2.3% and the tertiary sector – about 7%.

“Against a background of negative trade balance, exports tended up nearly three times as faster as imports. This was mainly due to the new export-oriented industrial strategy. We will push ahead with this policy line as we can see that our strategy is taking effect. By using its whole growth toolkit – credit funds, State guarantees and tax benefits – the State will continue to prop up the private sector with a focus on jobs and exports. The government has already approved 20 such programs. This year’s State budget was estimated implying a 6.2% growth index. Note that revenue proved AMD7bn up in the first quarter of 2013,”Tigran Sargsyan said.

The head of government reminded that FY2012 was completed with a 7.2% economic growth. According to the Prime Minister, the structure of the growth is particularly important as industry and agriculture boasted the largest share in the GDP, with a 9.3% rise recorded in agriculture and 14.5% in industry last year. A 48% growth was achieved in the field of water supply, recycling and waste management. The tertiary sector’s growth breakdown is as follows: wholesale and retail trade – 6%, transport – 14%, financial and insurance activities – 23%.

Construction was said to have broken even in 2012. The Prime Minister reminded that starting 2009 the main decline in the economy – 43% – was recorded in this very sector.

“In the following period as well, construction was the main deterrent force of the economy. Nevertheless, we were able to bring it to a breakeven point in 2012 and expect that the building sector will resume recovery to nurture economic growth this year,” Tigran Sargsyan added.

Macroeconomic performance was sufficiently good in 2012: budget deficit did not exceed the mark of 3%, inflation was within the planned target of 4%, and external debt was 37%, which is within the permitted threshold of external debt.

Coming to the future programs, Tigran Sargsyan stressed the need for continued improvement of the business environment. He reminded that according to the World Bank’s Doing Business report, Armenia has improved its position by 18 points ranking 32nd among 185 countries. The head of government said work will continue in this direction.

The Prime Minister next spoke about the reforms and programs implemented in the social, healthcare, inspection sectors and other areas.
In conclusion, the Board discussed and approved the auditor’s report on the Fund’s annual financial statement for 2012.

Tigran Sargsyan: “Our language will bring us together to make a unified fist”

Posted on by
Reply

6701_ru_4Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan attended the opening of Diaspora Ministry-hosted “Armenian language is in my heart” pan-Armenian youth conference in Yerevan.

Welcoming the participants on behalf of the Government, the Prime Minister said. “We attach great importance to all pan-Armenian events. This is why the Ministry of Diaspora was et up at the initiative of the President of the Republic of Armenia for the first time five years ago to unite Armenians around the world. Every week a language dies in the modern world, which means that the bearers of a specific language, alias an ethnic group disappears on the globe. Competition is growing keener in the 21st century, especially among and between nations, with the language proving to be the main pledge for keeping one’s ethnic identity. Our language will bring us together to make a unified fist, which can help us defy many challenges ahead.”

According to the Prime Minister, the modern world has entered a new stage, which is characterized by rapid changes and our young people should be able to keep track of their identity. As the chief driving force behind the Armenian identity, our statehood has helped us overcome many global and regional threats and challenges over the past couple of decades.

“We are building a statehood to implement our youth’s desire to preserve national values and ethnic identity. From this perspective, Nagorno-Karabakh is struggling for survival. The Artsakh issue is that of the future of our nation. The perception of this problem by young Armenians is the key to a safe future because we cannot achieve a fair settlement of the problem without unity,” the head of government emphasized.

Tigran Sargsyan believes that having a powerful army, for the first time in history our people can provide for the nation’s security.

“The modern world is a world of knowledge, where the Armenian nation has a competitive advantage. It is time our youth proved that we are part of the global competition among nations. In the 21st century, competition has moved to the intellectual field of knowledge, and this means that the number one problem is the formation of such an educational system that will give you the opportunity of getting competitive knowledge,” the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister stressed the importance of the activities of Luys Foundation, which was established at the initiative of the President of the Republic of Armenia. Note that the Foundation subsidizes the scholarship of Armenian students at the world’s top 10 universities.

Scheduled for April 22-24, the conference is attended by 500 young people from 30 countries. Issues of nationwide importance will be discussed, including new approaches to achieving international recognition of the Armenian Genocide, peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict, language and culture-related problems etc.