Alina Romanowski, Coordinator for U.S. Assistance to Europe and Eurasia, during the hearings introduced the four main directions of economic assistance in the territory of Eurasia. In particular, they include strengthening of countries’ independence and sovereignty, helping countries to defend from external pressure, fight against corruption and provision of rule of law, strengthening of democracy and protection of freedom of speech, as well as maintenance of peace.
However, it’s worth fixing the following fact: the Government did it upon its own initiative, without pressure of the opposition. Yes, the April war played its role here, which revealed the issue and made urgency of their settlement obvious. However, it’s worth stating once again that parliamentary opposition didn’t have its role here.
There is another circumstance regarding breaking of vendor-importer connection; when “Carrefour” came to Armenia, we were very delighted and enthusiastic, and the latter is such a firm, it imports and sells its own production. This policy shouldn’t move it out. It’s accepted in the whole world and is an essential factor for price reduction that non-advertised commodities are bought and sold under their brand, or you may attach your brand, raise the price if the advertisement is good. These are trade tricks.
Deputy Finance Minister Pavel Safaryan says the Government will present a program on cutting state spending by the end of June. Currently ministries are engaged in discussions.
The Government has approved the “Local economy and infrastructure development program” loan agreement signed on February 23 with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
“We must create all necessary conditions for the sustainable development of economies of our states. And it cannot be achieved without the creation of favorable conditions for the business. Business must be the key subject and beneficiary of the Eurasian integration”, he said.
The Government continues cutting the number of state vehicles of different governmental agencies. 24 vehicles were taken from the Parliament and signed to the State Property Management Department.
Milos Zeman was also introduced the history of the “Barrel of Peace” which was established in 2001 in honor of the visit of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. It is called peace, since it will be opened only when the Karabakh conflict will be resolved.
Gagik Beglaryan, Minister of Transport and Communication, informed that agreements have been signed, however, we should be able to provide transit from the West to the Black Sea, he stated that this month Iranian specialists will arrive on occasion of the railway, technical survey is ready, however, funds are necessary for its construction.
“2.7% price reduction has been recorded, the dynamics shows that throughout summer months we’ll also record price reduction, and by the end of ongoing year 0% price growth will be recorded,” Vache Gabrielyan, Deputy PM, Minister of International Economic Integration and Reforms.
