'Armenian News' I am happy to announce the return of Armenag Topalian as contributor
Thank you Armenag and Hasmig for both of your input on Seta's Armenian Blog - it makes for interesting and informed reading!
armradio.am
ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT RATIFIES THE TREATY ON
JOINING THE EURASIAN ECONOMIC UNION
04 Dec 2014
The Armenian Parliament voted 103 to 7 (with one abstention) to ratify
the Treaty on Armenia's Accession to the Eurasian Economic Treaty.
The Treaty was signed by the Presidents of Armenia, Russia, Belarus
and Kazakhstan on October 10.
The Treaty will come into force after ratification by the parliaments
of all EEU member states.
04 Dec 2014
The Armenian Parliament voted 103 to 7 (with one abstention) to ratify
the Treaty on Armenia's Accession to the Eurasian Economic Treaty.
The Treaty was signed by the Presidents of Armenia, Russia, Belarus
and Kazakhstan on October 10.
The Treaty will come into force after ratification by the parliaments
of all EEU member states.
ARMENIA ASKS ITS CITIZENS NOT TO BUY DOLLARS
Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Dec 3 2014
The Central Bank of Armenia has urged the residents of the country
to limit their purchases of foreign currency.
"The Central Bank is ready to stabilize the situation on the market
with the instruments it has. The Central Bank urges people to abstain
from currency speculations and not to buy foreign currency, because
this affects the exchange rate and is risky, and can cause severe
damage," news.am quotes a statement of the CBA.
The exchange rate of the Armenian dram to the US dollar has hit the
record of 8 years ago. Analysts connect it to the fall of the ruble.
arka.am
DRAMS' FLUCTUATIONS DO NOT REFLECT ARMENIAN
ECONOMIC REALITY- MINISTER
YEREVAN, December 4. / ARKA /. The weakening of Armenia's national
currency is not an objective reflection of the economic reality of
the country, according to Minister of Economy Karen Chshmarityan.
The dram has weakened by more than 6 percent against the U.S. dollar
since mid-November along with reducing cash inflows from Armenian
labor migrants in Russia.
According to Chshmarityan, there may be speculation phenomena behind
the weakening dram. He said the Central Bank has efficient tools to
prevent and eliminate these phenomena.
The minister expressed confidence that the Central Bank and commercial
banks have sufficient reserves in foreign and national currency to
stabilize the situation in the financial market in several days.
He said the Russian Central Bank (the Russian ruble has depreciated
even more sharply in the same period because of steady decrease in
international oil prices and Western sanctions) is using all its
available tools to take control of the situation.-0-
mediamax.am
ERDOGAN UNHAPPY WITH NOBEL COMMITTEE AND UN
SECURITY COUNCIL
Thursday 4 December 2014 13:21
Yerevan/Mediamax/. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan continues his
criticism of international institutions claiming they lack objectivity.
Speaking at the Presidential Awards Ceremony on December 3, Erdogan
said "even the Nobel is not awarded objectively", Turkish Hurriyet
writes.
"Do not hope for objective points of view in a world where
international institutions decide according to their own ideologies,
politics and beliefs. Is the Nobel awarded objectively? No. Does the
UN Security Council make objective decisions? No, never", said Erdogan.
The Turkish President added that Turkey cannot silently watch while
hegemons write the history of arts and science.
Earlier, Erdogan instructed Turkey's educational institutions to
highlight the contribution of Islam to global science and arts,
including the discovery of the American continent by Muslim sailors
300 years before Columbus.
In his speech on December 3, Erdogan also criticized the UN Security
Council for allowing only five major powers to effectively make
all decisions.
"The UN, which was established on the post-World War I international
system, is short of representing the whole world. The entire world's
destiny cannot be in the hands of five countries only", said Erdogan.
arka.am
CONSERVATION OF DEEP WELLS IN ARARAT VALLEY
Thursday 4 December 2014 13:21
Yerevan/Mediamax/. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan continues his
criticism of international institutions claiming they lack objectivity.
Speaking at the Presidential Awards Ceremony on December 3, Erdogan
said "even the Nobel is not awarded objectively", Turkish Hurriyet
writes.
"Do not hope for objective points of view in a world where
international institutions decide according to their own ideologies,
politics and beliefs. Is the Nobel awarded objectively? No. Does the
UN Security Council make objective decisions? No, never", said Erdogan.
The Turkish President added that Turkey cannot silently watch while
hegemons write the history of arts and science.
Earlier, Erdogan instructed Turkey's educational institutions to
highlight the contribution of Islam to global science and arts,
including the discovery of the American continent by Muslim sailors
300 years before Columbus.
In his speech on December 3, Erdogan also criticized the UN Security
Council for allowing only five major powers to effectively make
all decisions.
"The UN, which was established on the post-World War I international
system, is short of representing the whole world. The entire world's
destiny cannot be in the hands of five countries only", said Erdogan.
arka.am
CONSERVATION OF DEEP WELLS IN ARARAT VALLEY
HELPED SAVE ABOUT 8 MILLION CUBIC METERS OF
WATER A YEAR - MINISTER
YEREVAN, December 3. / ARKA /. The conservation and closure of over
100 illegally operating artesian wells in the Ararat Valley has helped
save about 8 million cubic meters of water a year, Nature Protection
Minister Aramayis Grigoryan said today during a parliamentary Q&A
session.
According to government figures, about 50% of underground water
resources of the country are concentrated in Ararat artesian basin.
A recent USAID-funded study, managed by Clean Energy and Water Program
(CEWP), revealed that over the last 6-8 years, the level of groundwater
resources in the Ararat Valley that has the bulk of fish farms, has
significantly decreased, leaving over 30 communities without reliable
access to potable and/or irrigation water.
The minister said today the government has allocated 107 million
drams for the closure of illegal deep artesian wells.
"The conservation and closure of deep wells translated into 8 million
cubic meters of water saved per year. The results are being already
felt by the population," said Grigoryan.
In 2013 July the government began charging for use of artesian water -
15 drams for a cubic meter of deep water and 5 drams of surface water.
Before that these waters were used illegally and for free.
The collected money will be used for conservation and closure of more
illegally operating deep wells. According to government estimates,
conservation of a deep well requires about 4 million drams. ($1 -
442.48 drams). -0--
arminfo.am
YEREVAN, December 3. / ARKA /. The conservation and closure of over
100 illegally operating artesian wells in the Ararat Valley has helped
save about 8 million cubic meters of water a year, Nature Protection
Minister Aramayis Grigoryan said today during a parliamentary Q&A
session.
According to government figures, about 50% of underground water
resources of the country are concentrated in Ararat artesian basin.
A recent USAID-funded study, managed by Clean Energy and Water Program
(CEWP), revealed that over the last 6-8 years, the level of groundwater
resources in the Ararat Valley that has the bulk of fish farms, has
significantly decreased, leaving over 30 communities without reliable
access to potable and/or irrigation water.
The minister said today the government has allocated 107 million
drams for the closure of illegal deep artesian wells.
"The conservation and closure of deep wells translated into 8 million
cubic meters of water saved per year. The results are being already
felt by the population," said Grigoryan.
In 2013 July the government began charging for use of artesian water -
15 drams for a cubic meter of deep water and 5 drams of surface water.
Before that these waters were used illegally and for free.
The collected money will be used for conservation and closure of more
illegally operating deep wells. According to government estimates,
conservation of a deep well requires about 4 million drams. ($1 -
442.48 drams). -0--
arminfo.am
ARMENIAN MP ADVISES RESTORING WEALTH TAX AND
SPENDING RECEIPTS ON SOCIAL PROJECTS
by Tatevik Shahunyan
Wednesday, December 3, 16:59
Armenian MP from Orinats Yerkir Party Hovhannes Margaryan urged the
Government on Wednesday to restore wealth tax for the owners of cars
worth more than 25mln AMD and houses worth over 200mln AMD and to
spend the receipts on social projects.
The MP said that he has discussed the possibility with some car owners
and they are ready to pay the tax.
They in the tax service had told Margaryan that officially there is
just one person owning a house worth more than 200mln AMD but he is
sure that in each city there are at least 10 such money-bags.
Armenia's Territorial Administration Minister Armen Yeritsyan said
that only 16 people own expensive houses in Armenia with 57 people
living there.
The wealth tax was cancelled a few months ago after the appointment
of Hovik Abrahamyan was Prime Minister. The ruling party explained
that the tax was inefficient and prevented growth in car imports
into Armenia.
armradio.am
FREEDOM ON THE NET 2014: ARMENIA RANKED AS A
by Tatevik Shahunyan
Wednesday, December 3, 16:59
Armenian MP from Orinats Yerkir Party Hovhannes Margaryan urged the
Government on Wednesday to restore wealth tax for the owners of cars
worth more than 25mln AMD and houses worth over 200mln AMD and to
spend the receipts on social projects.
The MP said that he has discussed the possibility with some car owners
and they are ready to pay the tax.
They in the tax service had told Margaryan that officially there is
just one person owning a house worth more than 200mln AMD but he is
sure that in each city there are at least 10 such money-bags.
Armenia's Territorial Administration Minister Armen Yeritsyan said
that only 16 people own expensive houses in Armenia with 57 people
living there.
The wealth tax was cancelled a few months ago after the appointment
of Hovik Abrahamyan was Prime Minister. The ruling party explained
that the tax was inefficient and prevented growth in car imports
into Armenia.
armradio.am
FREEDOM ON THE NET 2014: ARMENIA RANKED AS A
"FREE" COUNTRY
04 Dec 2014
Armenia is ranked as a "free" country in the Freedom on the Net 2014
report released by the Freedom House today.
Georgia is also ranked as "fee," while Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkey
are among countries in the "partly free" category.
Iceland tops the ranking, followed by Estonia and Canada, Armenia's
southern neighbor Iran is at the bottom of the table, Public Radio
of Armenia reports.
According to the report, "the internet penetration rate in Armenia
has continued improving over the past few years, accompanied by fewer
restrictions on online content. Additionally, citizen groups and NGOs
have made use of online communication tools to organize campaigns
and promote policy changes in the country."
According to the International Telecommunication Union, the internet
penetration rate in Armenia stood at 46 percent in 2013, compared
with 39 percent in 2012 and just 6.2 percent in 2008.
The Armenian mobile phone penetration rate reached 112.4 percent in
2013, compared to 111.9 percent in 2012 and 48.4 percent in 2008.
Access to mobile broadband is available throughout the majority of
the country and is affordable for much of the population.
In practice, the Armenian government and the telecommunication
regulatory authority, the Public Services Regulation Commission
(PSRC), do not interfere with or try to influence the planning of
network topology. Operators plan and develop their networks without any
coordination with either the government or the regulatory authority.
Armenian internet users enjoy access to internet resources without
limitation, including peer-to-peer networks, voice and instant
messaging services such as Skype and Google Talk, and popular social
networks such as Facebook, YouTube, and Odnoklassniki.
The Armenian government does not consistently or pervasively block
users' access to content online.
Currently, self-censorship is not a widespread practice in the
online sphere. The Armenian government and the ruling political elite
have avoided the application of any extralegal measures to prevent
political opponents or independent internet resources from publishing
online content.
Freedom on the Net 2014 - the fifth annual comprehensive study
of internet freedom around the globe, covering developments in 65
countries that occurred between May 2013 and May 2014 -finds internet
freedom around the world in decline for the fourth consecutive year,
with 36 out of 65 countries assessed in the report experiencing a
negative trajectory during the coverage period.
In a departure from the past, when most governments preferred a
behind-the-scenes approach to internet control, countries rapidly
adopted new laws that legitimize existing repression and effectively
criminalize online dissent.
The past year also saw increased government pres-sure on independent
news websites, which had previously been among the few uninhibited
sources of information in many countries, in addition to more people
detained or prosecuted for their digital activities than ever before.
04 Dec 2014
Armenia is ranked as a "free" country in the Freedom on the Net 2014
report released by the Freedom House today.
Georgia is also ranked as "fee," while Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkey
are among countries in the "partly free" category.
Iceland tops the ranking, followed by Estonia and Canada, Armenia's
southern neighbor Iran is at the bottom of the table, Public Radio
of Armenia reports.
According to the report, "the internet penetration rate in Armenia
has continued improving over the past few years, accompanied by fewer
restrictions on online content. Additionally, citizen groups and NGOs
have made use of online communication tools to organize campaigns
and promote policy changes in the country."
According to the International Telecommunication Union, the internet
penetration rate in Armenia stood at 46 percent in 2013, compared
with 39 percent in 2012 and just 6.2 percent in 2008.
The Armenian mobile phone penetration rate reached 112.4 percent in
2013, compared to 111.9 percent in 2012 and 48.4 percent in 2008.
Access to mobile broadband is available throughout the majority of
the country and is affordable for much of the population.
In practice, the Armenian government and the telecommunication
regulatory authority, the Public Services Regulation Commission
(PSRC), do not interfere with or try to influence the planning of
network topology. Operators plan and develop their networks without any
coordination with either the government or the regulatory authority.
Armenian internet users enjoy access to internet resources without
limitation, including peer-to-peer networks, voice and instant
messaging services such as Skype and Google Talk, and popular social
networks such as Facebook, YouTube, and Odnoklassniki.
The Armenian government does not consistently or pervasively block
users' access to content online.
Currently, self-censorship is not a widespread practice in the
online sphere. The Armenian government and the ruling political elite
have avoided the application of any extralegal measures to prevent
political opponents or independent internet resources from publishing
online content.
Freedom on the Net 2014 - the fifth annual comprehensive study
of internet freedom around the globe, covering developments in 65
countries that occurred between May 2013 and May 2014 -finds internet
freedom around the world in decline for the fourth consecutive year,
with 36 out of 65 countries assessed in the report experiencing a
negative trajectory during the coverage period.
In a departure from the past, when most governments preferred a
behind-the-scenes approach to internet control, countries rapidly
adopted new laws that legitimize existing repression and effectively
criminalize online dissent.
The past year also saw increased government pres-sure on independent
news websites, which had previously been among the few uninhibited
sources of information in many countries, in addition to more people
detained or prosecuted for their digital activities than ever before.
ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT IS DEADLOCKED
Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Dec 3 2014
Susanna Petrosyan, especially for "Vestnik Kavkaza"
In recent days interesting events have taken the place in relations
between the Armenian government and the opposition. On November 10,
President Serzh Sargsyan suddenly suggested that the Government once
again return to the 12 requirements presented by the opposition in
the summer. He proposed to the opposition a step by step form of
discussion, which involves the preparation of a small "road map"
alternately for all items.
A week later, Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan expressed willingness to
discuss with the opposition its demands for amendments to the financial
and economic and social policies. In case of failure to implement the
requirements by September 30, the opposition has promised to begin
large-scale protests. From the end of September the parliamentary
opposition "troika" represented by the "Prosperous Armenia" Party
(PAP), "The Armenian National Congress" (ANC) and "Heritage" began
to hold meetings in all the main cities of the country.
The protests and especially the two rallies in Yerevan (10 and 24
October), that were organized by the "troika", supported by the
majority of the population, have had a sobering impact on the regime.
The leading power pyramid decided to use a conciliatory tone unusual
for them to prevent the wave of rallies and the further unwinding of
the unfavorable situation for themselves.
But the opposition rejected the proposal of the authorities to
start a dialogue. According to the vice-chairman of the ANC, the
head of the parliamentary faction of the same name, Levon Zurabyan,
the topic of the 12 claims has closed. The "troika" sees no point in
negotiating with the authorities. The invitation to the opposition for
dialogue is an attempt to involve the opposition in long, fruitless
discussions and simulations, and also win time and break the pressure
of the movement. With political will, the authorities can meet these
requirements without discussing them with the "troika". The opposition
will continue to move on the planned route, the main purpose of
which is to change the government and to hold early presidential and
parliamentary elections."With its intransigence and tough rhetoric
against the opposition, the authorities have driven themselves into
a dead end. In recent years, the parliamentary majority has torn up
every initiative of the opposition, whether it was the convening of
an extraordinary session, or a proposal for amendments to any law.
Immediately after the presentation of the 12 claims by the opposition,
the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) accused its political
opponents of making an effort to score political dividends. According
to the head of the Government Staff, Davit Harutyunyan, none of the
items will be accepted, because the government has its own working
agenda.
"The political minority does not make decisions in any country of the
world. If you want to present your 12 points - win the election!" the
Vice Speaker of Parliament, Edward Sharmazanov, advised the opposition
just a few months ago.
In short, the authorities on the one hand showed their inherent
rigidity and intolerance of their political opponents; on the other
hand, seeing the strength of mass protest, they realized the danger
to themselves and tried to slow it down with a proposal to hold a
dialogue with the opposition. But these steps were too late. After
all, the authorities not only ignored the opposition and its demands,
but also the fact that the driving force behind the protests was
the great social discontent resulting from the extremely unpopular
economic policies of government.
These events point to the virtual absence of any chance for the
authorities to negotiate with the opposition on a number of critical
issues - the moment was lost. Today the expansion of the protest
movement trend is noticed. The representatives of the "troika" are
busy forming headquarters of the movement in the regions and mobilizing
people. On December 10, a regular meeting on Freedom Square in Yerevan
has been scheduled, and in addition, in the near future the political
council of the national movement will be formed, that will include
representatives of regional organizations, the center of cooperation
with youth organizations.
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