ArmInfo. Violations were found in the Mghart gold mine (Lori region of the Republic of Armenia) owned by “Multi Group” concern.
According to the results of inspections of the regional unit of the Inspection body for the protection of nature and mineral resources, it turned out that the company developed an enrichment plant and a tailing dump without an environmental impact assessment.
In turn this is a violation of the requirements of subparagraph of paragraph 2 of part 4 of article 14 of the Law of the Republic of Armenia
The Mghart gold mine has been developed an open way by the Multi Group since 2005.
On June 23, an online event launched the $1 million, three-year “Technical Assistance to the Audit Chamber of the Republic of Armenia” collaborative activity. The United States Government, through USAID, signed an inter-agency agreement with the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) Center for Audit Excellence to provide capacity building, training, and consultancy services to the Audit Chamber, the Supreme Audit Institution of Armenia.
Through this activity, the GAO will also help implement the requirements of the 2018 Republic of Armenia law related to the Audit Chamber, directing them to adhere and adopt international audit standards. The Comptroller General of the United States and Head of the GAO Gene Dodaro and USAID Chief Financial Officer Reginald Mitchell who had planned to travel to Armenia for the launch prior to the COVID-19 crisis, instead virtually joined the Chair of Armenia’s Audit Chamber LevonYolyan, U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Lynne Tracy and USAID/Armenia Mission Director Deborah Grieser to celebrate the launch.
“Today marks another significant milestone for the Audit Chamber. We now look forward to the successful partnership to help the Audit Chamber address some of the key issues identified and make improvements to strengthen its institutional policies and other procedures.” said Mr. Dodaro.
This is USAID/Armenia’s second agreement with the GAO Center for Audit Excellence. Under the previous agreement, the GAO conducted a needs assessment at the Audit Chamber to evaluate its strengths, weaknesses and needs. This activity builds on the recommendations from the needs assessment and is in line with the Armenian government’s public financial management reform strategy.
“The role of the Audit Chamber is crucial in terms of strengthening the accountability, transparency and integrity of government institutions. This new activity is part of overall U.S. government support for the reforms initiated by the Armenian Government and its efforts to combat corruption. This activity will be implemented by the GAO, which is considered to be the “golden standard” for audit institutions around the world,” said Ambassador Tracy.
The Audit Chamber plays an important oversight role in strengthening the accountability, transparency and integrity of government and public entities in the country, as well as influencing citizens’ confidence in public institutions and ensuring that public resources are used in ways that reduce corruption risks, maximize value for money, and deliver results.
“As the head of the Audit Chamber, I would like to thank our partners for their valuable support in developing the Audit Chamber, especially in the midst of the pandemic,” said Mr. Yolyan. “This event is the result of the joint effort. We will try to get the most out of this partnership to be a more impactful institution.”
Artsakh’s President convokes consultation on the Defense Army officers’ housing issues
19:39, 3 July, 2020
YEREVAN, JULY 3, ARMENPRESS. Artsakh Republic President Arayik Harutyunyan convoked an extended consultation dedicated to the housing issues of the Defense Army’s retired officers and those on service being on the waiting list on July 3.
As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Artsakh President’s Office, State Minister Grigory Martirosyan and Defense Minister Jalal Harutyunyan delivered corresponding reports on the number of families of officers, their distribution by regions and the required financial expenses.
The Republic’s President stated that the urgent solution of the issue is at the spotlight of both Artsakh and Armenian authorities, and with joint efforts the project must be fully realized by the end of 2023. Within this context, the Head of the State gave instructions to the heads of concerned bodies and institutions present at the meeting on starting the house construction activities by the end of the year.
Arayik Harutyunyan underlined that relevant mechanisms should be elaborated for reducing administration in this process and operative solution of the problematic issues in this regard.
Minister of Urban Development Aram Sargsyan, Minister of Labor, Social and Housing Issues Samvel Avanesyan and other officials participated in the consultation.
Sports
Yerevan Chess Federation, in collaboration with the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs and in partnership with Melkonian Global Overture, is launching an online pan-Armenian chess tournament.
The two-day sporting event, starting at 8:00pm local time on July 20, will bring together participants from Armenia, Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and the Diaspora, reports the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Science, Education, Culture, Diaspora, Youth and Sport.
The event is expected to attract also a great number of international grandmasters.
“This initiative aims primarily to consolidate Armenia and the Diaspora on a new single platform, promoting new ties and bringing to life the idea of pan-Armenian chess. I believe the tournament will be accepted with delight in both Armenia and Artsakh, and the Diaspora, attracting wide circles,” said Mkhitar Hayrapetyan, the Federation’s president and a member of the ruling My Step bloc in the National Assembly.
Apart from the main prizes, there are also established awards for women in different age categories (U-14, U-12 and U-10), veterans and participants with a rating of up to 2,000 score points.
The deadline for registration is July 15. The tournament is open to all potential participants meeting specific criteria.
SR Socially Relevant Film Festival 2020 New York (SRFF 2020) wrapped up its virtual seventh edition on June 28, revealing the winners of its various competition categories.
“Lorik”, an Armenian film directed by Alexey Zlobin, won the Grand Prize Narrative Feature Award at the festival, according to PRLog.
The film stars Michael Poghosian, Irene Ayvazyan, Shake Tukhmanyan, Evgeniya Dmitrieva and others.
“A lonely theater actor inhabits a world populated by his past characters as he unexpectedly he finds himself plunged into the realities of the people around him. Experiencing the pain and suffering of others, transforms him from a cynical narcissist into a compassionate and selfless person. When he inhabits the role of a rich oligarch, he exploits this new situation to reach an unexpected outcome,” reads the film synopsis.
Constitutional amendments enter into force – PM Pashinyan
00:16,
YEREVAN, JUNE 26, ARMENPRESS. The Constitutional amendments entered into force, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan said on Facebook.
“Starting from now Hrayr Tovmasyan is no longer the President of the Constitutional Court, and Felix Tokhyan, Hrant Nazaryan and Alvina Gyulumyan are not members or judges of the Court.
Three new judges of the Constitutional Court must be elected within two months.
All state bodies of Armenia must take into account this reality and be guided by it”, the PM said.
Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
12:32,
YEREVAN, JUNE 26, ARMENPRESS. 1 new cases of the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in the Republic of Artsakh, bringing the total number of cases to 114, the ministry of healthcare said.
The total number of recovered patients stands at 77.
At the moment 68 people are quarantined.
1,828 COVID-19 tests have been conducted so far.
No death case has been registered in the Republic.
Reporting by Lilit Demuryan; Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
12:32,
YEREVAN, JUNE 19, ARMENPRESS. The joint session of the Security Councils of Armenia and Artsakh is being held in Yerevan on June 19 co-chaired by President of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan and Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, the Artsakh Presidential Office told Armenpress.
The session is attended by Speakers of Parliament of Armenia and Artsakh Ararat Mirzoyan and Artur Tovmasyan.
Before passing to the agenda, the Armenian PM and the Artsakh President delivered remarks.
The speeches will be available later.
Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
ArmInfo. A search in the house of the leader of the Prosperous Armenia Party Gagik Tsarukyan, further interrogations and publication of information on several criminal cases involving Tsarukyan attracted public attention. This is stated in the statement of a number of public organizations of Armenia.
According to the source, issues of the rule of law, the fight against corruption in Armenia and the style of work of the authorities have again become the focus of public attention. In a statement, in particular, it is noted: These are systemic phenomena and should be investigated, after which they should be given a systemic solution. The lack of judicial reform is fraught with serious consequences. Thus, we urge the authorities to apply the best international experience, use the full potential of Armenia’s ties with international experts and introduce a system of transitional justice in the country. Citizens of the country should also be duly informed of this. It must be realized that delayed reforms and partial changes cannot contribute to the establishment of justice in the country>. The following people signed the statement: Nonprofit Organization “Protection of Rights Without Borders”, Helsinki Civil Assembly Vanadzor Office, Analytical Center on Globalization and Regional Cooperation, Fund for the Protection and Development of Rights, Open Society Armenia Foundation, “Asparez” Journalists Club.