Thursday, 1 April 2010
The government’s anti-crisis program is yielding results
Chaired by Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, the government met in a session at the Office of Government. Before proceeding to the agenda, the Prime Minister referred to the latest findings of the Chamber of Control and issued corresponding assignments to the heads of ministries and government agencies concerned.
Then the Prime Minister summed up the outcome of economic development efforts for the first quarter of 2010 which testify that the government’s anti-crisis program is yielding results. Tigran Sargsyan went on to describe the circle of immediate tasks for the government aimed at upholding the current trends of economic growth and checking inflation.
The Government approved the 2010-2011 program of reform for the Police of the Republic of Armenia, as well as the concept of the program which stems from the inventory of actions envisaged by the EU-Armenia action plan of the European Neighborhood Policy. This program highlights individual areas of activity as stipulated in the anti-corruption and crime prevention programs of the government. As a result, our citizens are supposed to feel in greater safety and have a trust in police forces.
The government amended a previous decision under which from now on pedestrians, passengers and drivers can be fined on the spot for breach of traffic rules. Noting the report of the Head of Police which stated that no gross infringements of public order were recorded amid the recent influx of Iranian citizens into Armenia, the head of government appreciated the reported growth in the number of tourists from the neighboring country. “Competent authorities should avoid creating long queues on our border check points to win the visitors’ predilection for our country and our people,” the Prime Minister said in this connecton.
The government endorsed a concept and a program of action on streamlining and controlling the gambling sphere in the Republic of Armenia. The concept seeks to make use of the best international expertise available in this area, as well as to introduce stricter control and licensing mechanisms. As stated by the Prime Minister, while the concept is sufficiently good as a whole, public discussions will have to be held on the matter as it arouses great interest among the population.
In compliance with the presidential decree of March 25, 2010 on this year’s spring conscription and demobilization campaign, the Government decided to set up a national call-up commission, with regional boards to be established in marzes and Yerevan city for proper coordination of work. The Cabinet next approved the list of central medical commission.
As stipulated in the 2010 State budget law, the government earmarked 10 million drams for Armenia’s minority communities and 12 NGOs accordingly.
Considering a request received from the Holy See of St Echmiadzin, guided by corresponding Armenian laws, the Government of the Republic of Armenia exempted 16 monks from the Holy See of St Echmiadzin and the St Hacob monastery of Jerusalem from mandatory army service. 70 such monks and pupils from the humanitarian grammar school of Calcutta (India) were granted a delay from military service until the 2011 spring conscription campaign.
The Cabinet discussed a number of legislative initiatives, the findings and conclusions over which will be sent to the National Assembly in the manner stipulated by law.
