Dashnaktsutyun is inviting a rally on May 23 at 19:00 at Azatutyun Square. Ishkhan Saghatelyan of the ARF informs about this on his Facebook page.
“The Supreme Body of the ARF expresses its satisfaction to all the friends and supporters of the structure of the ARF Armenia for their alert, conscious and willing behavior.
ARF will make a statement in the coming hours,” he wrote.
I can neither deny nor confirm that information. Speaking to VERELQ, Davit Babayan, the spokesperson of the President of the Republic of Artsakh, said this, responding to the news that Bako Sahakyan will meet with members of the National Assembly “My Step” faction in Yerevan today.
“If there is a meeting, you will be informed,” he said.
Babayan diplomatically avoided a clear answer to the question of whether he is in Yerevan at the moment.
“We are in the homeland,” he added.
Nevertheless, VERELQ sources claim that Bako Sahakyan will face a tough meeting, especially after today’s announcement by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
The IMF has approved the provision of 36-month “Stand-Buy” type of credit facilities to Armenia in the amount of about 248.2 million US dollars. The Armenian authorities have indicated that they will consider the BM as a preventive measure and are not going to use the new BM funds until the shocks cause balance of payments problems.
The Central Bank informs that the Ministry of Finance will aim at strengthening RA’s economic fundamentals and policies, as well as implementing structural reforms, particularly effective management and improving the business environment.
The authorities continue to pursue a sustainable fiscal policy, guided by the fiscal rule, while creating the conditions to promote infrastructure and social spending.
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved the granting of a loan to Armenia in the amount of 180 million SDR (Special Drawing Right) for a period of 36 months (about 248.2 million USD or about 139.75 percent of Armenia’s quota in the IMF).
The Council confirms that PKR 25.714 million (equivalent to approximately US$35.5 million) is being provided to Armenia immediately, with the remaining amount to be provided based on six semi-annual assessments.
The Armenian authorities have indicated that they will consider the BM as a preventive measure and are not going to use the new BM if balance of payments problems do not arise due to shocks. In addition to the goal of insuring against shocks, the WM will support the RA authorities’ efforts to strengthen economic fundamentals and implemented policies. It will also contribute to the effective implementation of structural reforms, particularly the improvement of governance and business environment.
After the Executive Board’s discussion, Mitsuhiro Furusawa, Deputy Managing Director and Acting President, made the following statement.
“In recent years, Armenia continues to record progress in implementing structural reforms to maintain macroeconomic and financial stability, as well as promote economic growth. Economic activity has picked up and public debt has begun to decline. Inflation is under control, the financial system remains stable, and international reserves are rated adequate. However, reform efforts need to continue to ensure more balanced and inclusive growth by reducing disparities, improving the business environment and governance, and further efforts to reduce poverty. and to reduce unemployment.
The three-year MOU will support the authorities’ transition to a more dynamic, sustainable and inclusive economy. The preventive nature of VM will serve the purpose of insurance against external shocks. The authorities continue to implement fiscal policy through the implementation of the fiscal rule, while creating the environment required to promote infrastructure and social spending. The implementation of these tasks should be accompanied by the improvement of tax administration and measures aimed at the modernization of property taxation.
Further tightening of monetary policy will help to increase the effectiveness of monetary policy and return inflation to the medium-term objective. Measures will also be taken to protect the financial system, further develop capital markets and facilitate access to finance.
Decisive implementation of the measures envisaged in the robust package of structural reforms will contribute to ensuring sustainable and inclusive growth, which can be achieved by developing the private sector, attracting more direct investments and promoting diversification. Steps to improve human capital and increase labor force participation may also be helpful.”
The President of the Republic Armen Sarkissian congratulated the newly elected President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky on his assumption of office.
“I am convinced that there is a significant potential in the interstate relations between Armenia and Ukraine and I fully hope that with joint efforts it will be possible to raise the Armenian-Ukrainian relations to a new level for the benefit of our countries and peoples,” said President Sargsyan in his congratulatory message.
He wished success to the newly elected President Zelensky, and peace and prosperity to the friendly people of Ukraine.
Based on the documents and information received from the RA Audit Chamber, the legality of reconstruction and other works carried out in several substations and buildings by the state-owned “High Voltage Electric Networks” PB company was examined within the framework of the function of initiating a lawsuit for the protection of state interests at the RA General Prosecutor’s Office.
For this purpose, relevant documents were requested and received from the RA Audit Chamber, “High Voltage Electric Networks” CJSC and the RA Urban Planning Committee.
As reported by the press service of the prosecutor’s office, as a result of the study, it was found that “High Voltage Electric Networks” CJSC in 2017. on June 29 announced an open tender for the reconstruction of the production building for the improvement of the canteen and the administrative part and the adjacent area.
In 2017, by the evaluation committee of “High Voltage Electric Networks” CJSC. On August 9, А CJSC was recognized as the 1st place participant of the purchase procedure of the said tender with 353 mln. 934 thousand AMD (including VAT) on offer.
119 million for the same tender. The bid of another company that submitted a dram-less price offer was assessed as insufficient and was rejected on the grounds of not submitting construction licenses in the field of urban development.
It was found out that in the invitation to the tender, company A applied for the construction licenses of another, almost identical company in the field of urban development, which were issued in 2014. were terminated, and such a license was granted to A company only in 2017. on September 5, i.e. after being recognized as the winner of the competition. In the invitation to the tender, company А also submitted previously signed contracts of the CJSC of the same name as a justification of professional experience.
Այսինքն, «Բարձրավոլտ Էլեկտրացանցեր» ՓԲԸ ծառայողները, իրենց կարգադրիչ կամ այլ լիազորությունները կազմակերպության շահերին հակառակ օգտագործելով, հիմք ընդունելով A ընկերության կողմից ներկայացված մեկ այլ ընկերությանը պատկանող ակնհայտ կեղծ փաստաթղթերը, խախտելով «Գնումների մասին» ՀՀ օրենքի պահանջները, մրցույթում 353 մլն. 934 thousand Company A was recognized as the winner with the amount of drams, rejecting 119 mln. dram less supply and thus causing severe consequences.
The study also revealed that “with the support of the Asian Development Bank, in order to implement the reconstruction projects of 2 substations, in 2016, with a Chinese company.” On May 6, a contract was signed: 14 mln. 805 thousand in US dollars.
According to the information and documents received from the RA Audit Chamber, in 2019, the project manager of the Chinese company on February 25, a letter was sent to the director of “High Voltage Electric Networks” CJSC, in which it was noted that the selection of subcontractors for the design institute, construction works and installation of equipment at the initial stage of the project was carried out under the pressure of the former directors of “High Voltage Electric Networks” CJSC, there was no independent selection, the mentioned subcontractor companies did not have enough potential to carry out the mentioned works.
It also appeared in the letter that the subcontractor submitted more volumes for payment each time than what was realized. In particular, the construction costs for the reconstruction of one substation have almost tripled, exceeding around 1 million. 200 thousand USD (about 576 million drams), and with the other substation about 608 thousand. The US dollar (about 291 million 840 thousand AMD).
Thus, the information and documents received from the Audit Chamber of the RA contain information about the use of executive or other powers by the employees of “High Voltage Electric Networks” CJSC against the interests of the organization, about 867 mln. 840 thousand about causing dram damage and causing severe consequences.
According to the information and documents received from the Audit Chamber of the Republic of Armenia, between “High Voltage Electric Networks” CJSC and LLC in 2017. on June 26, a contract for the performance of cable works was signed through the negotiation procedure, by which the LLC undertook to carry out 110 KV overhead line relocation works with a contract value of 129 million drams, which was later changed to 130.5 million drams. AMD
Although for the performance of contractual works in 2018 130.5 million in January. AMD was transferred to the LLC, but it was found that there was no disconnection (power cut) of the mentioned overhead lines to be moved in 2017 and 2018. And the mentioned works cannot be done without a power cut.
Regarding the above-mentioned facts revealed by the study, a criminal case was initiated by the Prosecutor of the State Interests Protection Department of the RA General Prosecutor’s Office under Article 178, Part 3, Clause 1, Article 214, Part 2, and Article 325, Part 2 of the RA Criminal Code.
The investigation was assigned to the RA National Security Service.
The President of the Republic of Armenia Armen Sarkissian met today with the Speaker of the Upper Chamber of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan Dariga Nazarbaeva. This was reported by the press service of the president.
During the meeting, issues related to the deepening of interaction between the parliaments of the two countries, as well as the development of relations in the economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres were discussed.
Dariga Nazarbaeva thanked President Armen Sarkissian for his participation in the Eurasian Media Forum in Almaty and support for the establishment of the forum: “You have done a lot for the promotion of this forum in the Western media community,” she noted.
Dariga Nazarbaeva said that they want to expand cooperation with the National Assembly of Armenia, to fully use the full potential of parliamentary friendly groups.
The interlocutors also talked about prospective directions of cooperation between the two countries. The President of the Republic Armen Sarkissian noted that there is a great potential for deepening bilateral relations and cooperation. “The volume of the current cooperation is very small and does not correspond to the existing potential and the relations of friendly countries in one economic zone,” he said. Նախագահը հատկապես կարևորել է համագործակցության զարգացումն այնպիսի ուղղություններով, ինչպիսիք են տեղեկատվական տեխնոլոգիաները, արհեստական բանականությունն ու սննդի անվտանգությունը:
At the request of Dariga Nazarbaeva, the President also addressed the internal political situation of Armenia. He emphasized that the Armenian people have the wisdom to overcome problems and move on to a new path of development without shocks.
Today, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received Bernard de Witt, Deputy CEO of French Amundi, the main shareholder of Amundi-ACBA Asset Management, one of the two pension fund managers operating in Armenia, and the delegation led by him. This was reported by the Prime Minister’s press service.
Welcoming the guests, the Prime Minister noted that pension reforms are important for Armenia, and the meeting is a good opportunity to discuss the progress and prospects of cooperation. Nikol Pashinyan emphasized that the government is interested in the development of cooperation with the partners involved in the process, including “Amundi-AKBA Asset Management”, which will contribute to the successful implementation of pension reforms, as well as increasing the level of public awareness about the pension accumulation system.
Bernard de Witt noted that “Amundi-ACBA Asset Management” company cooperates effectively with the representatives of the RA government and the Central Bank and is ready to continue the joint work.
The interlocutors discussed issues related to the effective implementation of economic, social and financial components of pension reforms in Armenia. In particular, there was a reference to the steps to be taken in the direction of the development of the capital market, raising public awareness, as well as the implementation of investment programs.
Today, the President of the Republic of Armenia Armen Sarkissian, who is in Kazakhstan on a working visit, had a meeting with the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Askar Mamin.
The prime minister of Kazakhstan thanked President Sargsyan for participating in the 12th annual economic forum and expressed confidence that such visits contribute to the development of relations between the countries.
“The potential for the development of trade and economic relations between our two countries is great, but it has not been fully realized. On our side, there is a complete desire to develop economic relations in all areas of bilateral interest,” Askar Mamin emphasized.
President Sargsyan noted that he is happy to discuss the prospects of economic interaction between the two friendly countries with the Prime Minister. The President of Armenia and the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan considered the fields of agriculture, information technology, energy, infrastructure, education and tourism to be promising for cooperation.
Prime Minister Mamin, for his part, said that they are interested in full cooperation with Armenia in the mentioned and other fields and are ready to discuss in detail all the possibilities of cooperation.
At the request of Varachpet Mamin, the president also referred to the internal political situation of Armenia.
The USA encourages the RA government to pursue judicial reforms in a way consistent with the country’s Constitution. This is reported by the US Embassy in Armenia.
“Pastinfo” turned to the US Embassy with a request to find out the position of the US regarding the events that took place around the judiciary, the Prime Minister’s announcement to hold a vetting of judges.
“The United States is committed to supporting the strengthening of an independent judiciary in Armenia, which includes anti-corruption efforts and building rule of law institutions. This requires determination, vigilance and a long-term strategy for building transparent and accountable governance institutions. The people of Armenia have clearly indicated that they support these changes, and we encourage the government to pursue judicial reforms in a way consistent with the country’s constitution,” the embassy said.
To remind, yesterday evening RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan wrote on his Facebook page that starting from 08:30 in the morning, we block the exits and entrances of all courts of the republic, without exception, so that no one enters. Early in the morning, the entrances to Yerevan and regional courts were already blocked.
Later, at At 12:00, Nikol Pashinyan announced that all judges operating in Armenia should undergo, so to speak, vetting. “In other words, the public should have complete information about the judge’s political connections and genealogy, property status, activities carried out as a judge and in the previous period, personal and professional characteristics,” he said.
“Sasna Tsrer” party is ready to support the realization of the goals mentioned in his statement in the case of appropriate systemic approach and consistency of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. This is stated in the statement released by the party.
“Prime Minister of RA Nikol Pashinyan today, 2019 on May 20, made an important statement containing significant emphasis on making serious changes in the judicial system, as well as neutralizing threats to national security related to Artsakh. The goals set out in the announcement are largely in line with our agenda that has been brought to the public’s attention for years, so they are welcome for us in that sense. However, in order to achieve the intended goals, it is necessary to act with a systematic approach and be consistent.
First, the process needs to start with a juridical and political assessment of the previous regime’s activities. Although there were separate elements in the statement, a full juridical and political evaluation was not given, which is why the correct diagnosis and full treatment of the disease of the national-state organism remains problematic. In order to neutralize the national security threats related to Artsakh, it is not enough to create an intolerant attitude towards the 5th column or partial actions to restrain its individual representatives.
If Lavrov’s plan, aborted twice by the self-sacrificing bravery of our soldiers and officers during the April Four-Day War, and then by the uprising of Sasna Tsr, still remains on the agenda of the 5th Battalion and he is even today ready to hold his position at the cost of handing over territories liberated through conspiratorial war and separating Artsakh from RA, then its leading members, including: Serzh Sargsyan and Robert Kocharyan, should be immediately isolated from society on charges of creating a criminal partnership and usurping power through it, usurping the state and turning it into an instrument of their crimes, including treason.
Transitional justice, the necessity of which was mentioned in the statement of the RA Prime Minister, must be complete and comprehensive, because the crimes committed by the criminal cooperation that usurped the power and seized the state were systematic, covered almost all spheres of life, caused genocidal consequences and threatened the statehood, and the range of victims includes almost the entire nation. It should include the entire period of RA independence, as well as all the components of the international practice of transitional justice, including criminal justice and political, economic and agency lustration.
A Transitional Justice Court with a jury-style court format and an investigative component should be established by referendum. The cases regarding usurpation of power, state capture, state treason and other serious crimes of public-state significance, as well as acts of resistance against the activities of criminal cooperation (October 27, March 1, Berdzor state terrorism, April four-day war and other attempts to hand over liberated territories or actions of their preparation, Sasna Tsrer rebellion, etc.) should be taken to the existing law enforcement and judicial courts. from the proceedings and surrender At the Transitional Justice Tribunal.
In addition, the further participation of the persons who previously performed judicial actions in those cases in their examination should be excluded, as well as the alleged facts of committing crimes against justice by them during the examination of these cases should be thoroughly investigated.
Currently, the justice system has found itself in a state of legal self-denial and absurdity, as it simultaneously examines the citizens who committed an act of armed resistance in order to overthrow the constitutional order in the case of March 1, and to restore the overthrown constitutional order and abort the process of handing over the territories liberated due to the war, two of whom, Smbat Barseghyan and Armen Bilyan, are still in prison on trumped-up charges. This absurd phenomenon, which insults national dignity and destroys the meaning of justice, must be stopped immediately.
Smbat Barseghyan and Armen Bilyan cannot stay in a criminal prison for years and wait until the hands of Transitional Justice reach and provide a legal solution to their case. The adoption of the new Constitution is also very important, because all the constitutional referendums were falsified, besides, the state administration system formed by the current Constitution does not meet the standards of constitutionalism and democracy.
The partial changes to the current Constitution, which the RA Prime Minister’s statement implies, cannot solve the problems of the Constitution’s legitimacy and effective state administration.
The secretariat of the Sasna Tsrer All-Armenian Party once again assures that it is ready to support the realization of the goals stated in his statement in the case of a systemic approach and consistency in accordance with the above mentioned by the RA Prime Minister.