PM: In 20 years Armenia will be independent, secure, just and intellectual

December 4, 2016 By administrator

pm-secure-armenia YEREVAN. – We must create such conditions which will make the Diaspora want to make investments.

Prime Minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan stated the aforementioned on Saturday, responding to questions during an event dedicated to the 110th anniversary of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU).

In his words, the regular address to the Diaspora—as a source of benevolence—is unpromising and wound’s our vanity.

The discussion host Mark Grogoryan, for his part, presented the criticism of actress Arsinée Khanjian in regard to the existence of monopolies and legislative gaps in the country, to which Karapetyan noted that the mentioned issues deserve attention.

Asked which problems hinder Armenia-Diaspora ties, the Prime Minister said: ”It is necessary to create regular contact to listen and understand each other.”

To the question on how he sees Armenia in 20 years, Karapertan responded: ”Independent, secure, just and intellectual.”

Referring to the question on what kind of opposition he dreams of, the PM said: ”Intellectual opposition.”

Responding to the question of a Facebook user on whether he believes in fairy tales, the head of the Government said: ”A person, who grew without fairy tales, is a dangerous one.”

Former Greece President Costis Stephanopoulos dies

November 21, 2016 By administrator

former-pm-dead Former Greek President Costis Stephanopoulos has died at the age of 90. Stephanopoulos served as president between 1995 and 2005 and won praise for his modesty during his time in office.

Greece’s Athens News Agency reported former Greek President Costis Stephanopoulos died late Sunday evening after a bout with pneumonia. He was 90 years old.

Stephanopoulos was hospitalized Thursday and his condition declined rapidly, according to a statement released by his doctors at Henry Dunant hospital in Athens Saturday. He soon suffered multiple organ failure and did not respond to treatment.

Current Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras expressed his condolences, saying Stephanopoulos was “a moral man with a lofty vision.”

Stephanopoulos, widely known by his first name, served two terms as president as allowed by the Greek constitution. Though the position is mostly ceremonial, he won popularity for his modesty during his time in office. Stephanopoulos worked well with politicians from all sides of the political spectrum, especially moderate socialist Costas Simitis, despite Stephanopoulos’ conservatism. Simitis was prime minister from 1996 to 2004.

kbd/bw (AP, dpa)

Karen Karapetyan. “Artsakh is the “driver” of the economy of Armenia. The GDP in NKR has grown by 9.1 % in 2015

November 18, 2016 By administrator

armenian-pm-karabakh (Aravot) Within the last 10 years stable economic growth is ensured in NKR thanks to the implemented economic policy, the average of which has been approximately 10%. In 2015 the gross domestic product -the GDP- by its real expression has grown by 9.1%, constituting it equivalent to 438 million dollars. In 2015 the GDP per person was 3 thousand dollars, which exceeds the level of 2006 four times. This was announced by the government of NKR.

During the press conference of the Prime Ministers of NKR and RA given in the castle of Tigranakert city in Artsakh, one of the journalists asked, “is it expected to have double-digit economic growth, does the slowdown of the growth of the economy of Armenia depend on the Russian economy, does the economy of Armenia have impact on the growth of the economy of Artsakh, how Artsakh succeeds in ensuring such growth of GDP, what is the secret of that and why the government of Artsakh did not share with it?” “With what? with the growth?” joked Prime Minister of RA in answer to the question. Prime Minister of NKR Arayik Harutyunyan said that the main field ensuring the growth was energetics, and the structure of the GDP growth was also changed;

“The field ensuring the DGP growth is hydro-energetic. If from 2002 to 2007 on average it was produced 90 million kilowatt energy, then this year 300 million kilowatt was produced, and it is increasing continuously. It is not only the production of electro energy, it is also the construction. Why it does not exist in Armenia because that potential in Armenia was used in the years on 2000-2008. The economy of NK divides in phases- from 1992 to 1996, when Armenia supported Karabakh with everything. From 1996 to 2008 when Armenia did not support with anything except providing intergovernmental loan, and its logic was different. And from 2009 up to now that Armenia supports with everything especially in the direction of the investment field and its promotion, as a result of which we have ensured quite big investments. The first were HPPs, energetics around 50 million dollar investment this year, mining industry- the mine of Kashen started working, as well as agriculture, the advantage is that we have supported agriculture from the state budget.” “They are champions in terms of growth, they are champions by the brave steps of the fashion,” remarked RA Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan.

RA Prime Minister also said that if they managed to activate the economy of the Republic of Armenia, it would have a multiplicative effect. The Prime Minister of Artsakh noticed that the economic growth of Karabakh had its effect on the economy of Armenia because those investments for example in the field of construction, cement and other construction materials were obtained from Armenia. “It is the “driver” of the economy of RA,” said Karen Karapetyan. NKR Prime Minister Arayik Harutyunyan compared the support provided by Armenia during the governance of Robert Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan, emphasizing that till 2008 Artsakh did not record any economic growth , which was not the oversight of the authorities of Artsakh but Armenia. “During the usual meeting with Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan I thanked and compared with the wartime, when Armenia being in a difficult situation was supporting with everything, of course today and yesterday also it was so especially since 2008. Please, pay a careful attention to the fact that since 2008 our relationships with RA were not limited only by financial intergovernmental loan but by involving investment in terms of implementing different projects. But before 2008 there were no such opportunities that’s why energetics did not developed in Artsakh, there was no active loaning in agriculture that’s why from 1996 till 2008 no new technology was brought to Karabakh. It was not the result of the inactivity of the Karabakh authorities. Yes, there was not that attitude from the government of RA that we have today. That is why we could ensure greater economic growth. And what year 2008 was for RA you know.”

Armenia PM: We cannot but build a good country

November 7, 2016 By administrator

armenian-pm-speech Prior to his working visit to the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR/Artsakh), Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan on Friday met with the leaders of Syunik province communities in the town of Goris.

The PM noted that the main objective of the meeting is to discuss the issues and development prospects of the province. “We must all realize one simple truth: We and only we will build our country, our house, our theatre and our village; we shouldn’t wait for someone to come and change the situation for better. We will speak openly and frankly, and besides presenting the issues it is necessary to propose solutions and note which part of the solution will be taken up by the province, considering all its resources, and what is expected from the government,” Karapetyan noted.

Thereafter, Governor of Syunik, Vahe Hakobyan, presented the programs planned to be implemented in the province in different areas. He also noted that the main efforts will be aimed at the proportional development of the province. It was reported that the development strategy of Syunik has already been drawn out, aiming to ensure new quality of life there. In this context, in the future it is planned to establish Syunik Development Investment Fund, which will deal with promotion of investment programs in different areas and creation of workplaces.

New emergency restoration services will be provided in five towns of the province in the future, which will ensure new workplaces. Work aimed at establishing rubber material processing and pipe manufacturing plants in Kapan is also underway, this also ensureing several dozens of workplaces. Apart from this, the program “I was born in Syunik”has kicked off, which aims to support Syunik residents, who have achieved success in different areas abroad, to implement projects in the province. Moreover, negotiations are held with the Iranian side on exporting meat products and processed wool. It was also noted that public and youth councils will operate adjunct to the Governor’s Office, which will enable the public to present their proposals and issues of concern.

Besides, reference was made to the issues of education, agriculture, health and problems existing in other areas. Underscoring the importance of education, Karapetyan noted that the education system is a primary issue for Armenia.

Referring to the agriculture development, the PM said that the state must help successful farmers, who have potential, so that the others can seek to achieve their standards. “Our first target is the workplace, that is helping the working man,” he stressed.

According to Karapetyan, it is necessary to value the existing potential and come up with different initiatives and programs. Considering their efficiency, the state will provide support for their implementation. “If you don’t have an idea what city and community you want, you have no way to achieve your goals. Be sure that we cannot but build a good country. But each of us should take part in this,” the PM stressed.

Issues related to road construction, gas and water supply, as well as infrastructure development were also discussed at the meeting.

Iraqi PM Warns Turkey After It Deploys Troops Near Border

November 1, 2016 By administrator

iraq-warns-turkey Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi has warned Turkey against provoking a confrontation after Ankara sent tanks and artillery near the countries’ border not far from Mosul.

Abadi said in a televised news conference that Baghdad does not want a confrontation or a “war with Turkey,” but said Iraqi forces “are ready for it” if it happens.

He added that Baghdad had prohibited Turkish forces from intervening in the fight against Islamic State (IS) fighters to regain control of Mosul and if “Turkey enters the current battle…we will deal with them as an enemy.”

Turkey has deployed tanks and heavy artillery on its southeastern border with Iraq, saying that the forces may be sent into Iraq “if necessary.”

The deployments on November 1 were made in Turkey’s Silopi region bordering a stretch of northern Iraq along Iraq’s strategic Highway 2, which leads to Mosul about 130 kilometers to the south.

Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik said on November 1 that Ankara was under no obligation to keep its military forces on its own side of the border.

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on October 25 that Ankara could launch a ground operation into Iraq if it felt its security was threatened. “We are ready to use all our resources, including a ground operation,” he said.

The deployments came as Iraqi special forces battled Islamic State (IS) militants into an eastern neighborhood of Mosul on November 1 — the first time government forces have been inside the city since it was seized by IS militants in 2014.

It also came as the head of the Turkish Armed Forces General Staff, General Hulusi Akar, was visiting Moscow on November 1 for talks with his Russian counterpart, General Valery Gerasimov, about possible military cooperation and what Ankara described as “the situation in the Middle East.”

Turkey has as many as 1,000 troops in northern Iraq at the request of regional Iraqi leaders, and have been training Kurdish Peshmerga fighters.

But the government in Baghdad has called on Turkey to withdraw those forces.

Turkey has not had a direct role in a two-week-old Iraqi operation to recapture Mosul from IS fighters.

But Ankara has said its forces should be involved to prevent Iranian-backed Shi’ite militia fighters from carrying out atrocities against Sunni civilians in Mosul.

At the same time that Turkey has been helping Iraqi Kurdish forces, it has been fighting against U.S.-supported Syrian Kurds from the so-called Kurdish People’s Protection units (YPG) — claiming that the YPG in Syria is associated with Turkish Kurds from the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

Turkey has been battling PKK militants in southeastern Turkey for more than 30 years in a conflict that has killed tens of thousands.

With reporting by Reuters, AP, AFP, dpa, and CNN Turk

Armenian PM: We want Diaspora to more actively participate in economic life of Armenia

October 30, 2016 By administrator

armenian-pm-with-aaa YEREVAN. – We want the Diaspora to have more active participation in the economic life of Armenia.

Armenian Premier Karen Karapetyan said the aforementioned at the meeting with President of the Board of Trustees of Armenian Assembly of America (AAA) Carolyn Mugar and Co-President Anthony Barsamian Saturday.

The meeting was also attended by AAA Board of Trustees member Raffi Kasarjian and AAA regional director Arpi Vartanian, the Government press-service reports.

The Premier welcomed and underscored the importance of the pro-Armenian activity of the Armenian Assembly of America (AAA), which is aimed at enhancing the Armenia-Diaspora ties and deepening Armenian-American relations.

The AAA representatives congratulated Karapetyan on his appointment as the republic’s prime minister, assuring that AAA will continue to work actively towards the further development of Armenia and implementation of pan-Armenian programs.

The Premier noted that the current Government program provides for speedy reforms with the involvement of the entire potential of all Armenians. He considered as a priority the programs aimed at promoting investments, improving business climate, as well as raising education level, especially in rural communities.

Underscoring the importance of involving Armenia-Diaspora ties in the sectoral development of economy, Karapetyan noted: “New economic relations need to be established in the country. The Government is ready to take up the function of investment ‘activeness’ promoter in Armenia and work with international investors to prove that engaging in business and making investments in Armenia is safe and merely beneficial. We want the Diaspora’s participation in Armenia’s economic life to be more active and targeted. We want you to participate in our programs not only within charity and investment initiatives, but also in terms of introducing new governance culture and serving the knowledge and potential of our best specialists for pan-Armenian needs.”

Issues related to reconsidering Armenia-Diaspora ties, preservation of Armenian identity, as well as cooperation programs between Armenia and AAA were also discussed at the meeting.

Armenia PM becomes shareholder in Gazprom “subsidiary”

October 28, 2016 By administrator

armenian-pm-gazprom Prime Minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan has become a shareholder in OGK-2, a Russian power generation company which is a part of Gazprom Energy Holding.

According to the company materials, Karapetyan owns 0.009 percent of the stocks of OGK-2.

Before Wednesday, however, the Armenian PM had no shares in this company.

Karen Karapetyan’s shares are a bonus for his work in 2015, OGK informed RIA Novosti news agency of Russia.

Armenian PM Karen Karapetian Cabinet Pledges New Policy Reforms & combat corruption

October 20, 2016 By administrator

Karen Karapetian chairing a cabinet meeting on October 19, 2016 (Photo: Official Publication)

YEREVAN (RFE/RL)—Armenia’s newly reshuffled government has released its policy program that pledges to help speed up economic growth through a tougher fight against corruption, better tax administration and “equal conditions” for all businesses.

The program adopted at a cabinet meeting in Yerevan late on Tuesday will be sent to the Armenian parliament on Thursday. Its approval by the National Assembly will amount to a vote of confidence in Prime Minister Karen Karapetian’s cabinet.

“I am instructing everyone to pay special attention to the program’s implementation,” Karapetian told ministers. “We are going to be accountable.”

“Given the ongoing global and regional developments, conventional approaches to [Armenia’s] development cannot ensure a pace of progress congruent with our challenges,” declares the 33-page document.

“Analysis of the economic situation shows that it is extremely difficult to ensure progress with standard methods and tools,” it adds.

The government’s stated “strategic” priorities include a strengthening of the fight against corruption and tax evasion, and “equal and fair conditions stimulating business.” The program commits it to improving Armenia’s business environment in a way that would be recognized next year in annual survey conducted by the World Bank.

In particular, the government will reduce or simplify its licensing requirements and other regulations for some types of economic activity. It also pledged to reform Armenia’s tax and customs services with the aim of making tax collection less arbitrary.

The program specifically reaffirms Karapetian’s plans to curb customs officials’ highly controversial discretionary authority to determine the market value of goods imported to Armenia. That has long been seen as a key source of widespread corruption in the customs service.

Karapetian said last week that tax officials must stop harassing “law-abiding” entrepreneurs and simplify taxation procedures for all businesses as he introduced the new head of the State Revenue Committee (SRC), Vartan Harutiunian, to senior SRC staff. Harutiunian is the premier’s longtime associate.

The program also promises “more efforts to eliminate the biggest obstacle to the development of the state: favoritism, embezzlements, bribery and other manifestations of corruption.” It says the government will seek to criminalize within the next three months “illegal enrichment” of state officials. The government will also introduce new legislation on conflicts of interest, it says.

Karapetian and his cabinet will technically serve until Armenia’s next parliamentary elections scheduled for April. “The program covers the six-month period until the parliamentary elections of April 2017,” Labor and Social Affairs Minister Artem Asatrian confirmed after Tuesday’s cabinet meeting.

The Armenian economy is on course to grow at a relatively modest rate of 2-3 percent this year. The government expects growth to only slightly accelerate in 2017.

Finance Minister Vartan Aramian said earlier this month that Gross Domestic Product must increase by at least 4 percent annually in order to ease hardship and boost living standards in the country.

Iraqi Prime Minister: We haven’t allowed Turkish soldiers, We warn them not to dare to violate Iraq’s sovereignty.”

October 18, 2016 By administrator

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi spoke about Turkey: “We warn them not to dare to violate Iraq’s sovereignty.”

According to Almasalah, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi came together with the foreign missions and their representatives in Baghdad.

Talking about Turkey during this meeting, al-Abadi stated: “I am not very optimistic about Turkey’s attitude towards Iraq and the fact that they are escalating the tension.”

Stating that they haven’t allowed Turkish soldiers, al-Abadi added: “Erdoğan says that Kurds are subjected to assimilation in Iraq. Well, have you provided the Kurds in Turkey with their military and political rights?”

Here are the highlights of al-Abadi’s statement:

“We tell them to respect the sovereignty of Iraq and to withdraw their soliders in northern Iraq immediately. If Turkish soldiers stay there, historical relations of the two country would be damaged.”

Barzani: Ankara should come to terms with Baghdad, if they would like to be involved in the operation

While the Mosul operation continues, President of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region Mesud Barzani, Prime Minister Nechervan Barzani and some generals of Iraqi Army paid a visit to Peshmerga forces in Hazir Front.

After the visit, Mesud Barzani held a press meeting and spoke about the operation:

“On the first day of the operation, a region of about 200 kilometers has been liberated. The operation on south and east fronts of Mosul was lead by Peshmerga and Iraqi army. I thank the coalition forces. We won’t let Mosul to end up like Aleppo. I hope Mosul will be liberated and we will put an end to terrorism. People of Mosul should trust Peshmerga and Iraqi army. They won’t be harmed. We won’t hold grudges. We will set them free and make sure that they live in safety.”

“After ISIS, there should be political solutions”

Journalists asked Mesud Barzani about Turkey’s demand to be included in the Mosul operation and Barzani said: “We think that there should be a conciliation between Ankara and Baghdad. Ankara should come to terms with Baghdad, if they would like to be involved in the operation.

Prime Minster Nechervan Barzani stated that ISIS is a threat against the entire world and the Mosul operation is important for every one: “The major operation started, however, ISIS attacks revealed that the safety of all the countries in the world depends on each other. ISIS is not only a threat against some countries in the region, but against the entire world. After ISIS, we have to find political solutions. Iraqi Kurdistan Region is ready to assume responsibility in order to provide a peaceful solution.”

Armenia new PM Karen Karapetyan We want businesses to ‘breathe’ –

September 27, 2016 By administrator

Armenia’s prime minister on Tuesday asked representatives of the banking sector to initiate steps towards increasing businesses’ advantages in the economy.
At a working meeting held at the Government, Karen Karapetyan said he expects practical non-standard solutions to improve the business atmosphere and attract investments. “Our purpose is to attend to the concerns, challenges and expectations which our financial and economic sector is awaiting. We want to make businesses ‘breathe’, and from that point of you, I expect you to submit proposals highlighting the measures to be undertaken to secure additional crediting for the economy. It is now time to propose practical solutions,” he said, according to a press release by the Government.
The premier also proposed elaborating specific mechanisms for issuing loans to small and medium businesses to promote their active work in different branches of the economy.
For his part, President of the Central Bank of Armenia Arthur Javadyan introduced their monetary-loan policies and the general situation with crediting.
At the end, the premier asked all the cabinet ministers responsible for the economic bloc to consider the proposals and continue joint work with the banking sectors’ representatives to resolve the problems raised and implement the necessary projects.