2022 June 2

Daily news wrap-up

Jun/2/2022. Your daily news digest. || Military education reforms; apartment for officers || Parents get 1000s of $ for birth || Armenia jumps 18 pos. on tourism competitiveness || Mediation to substitute courts || Simpler car registrations || Cashback for poor || STEM labs || Diplomacy news || More
by ar_david_hh

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10 minutes. 2658 words.

officers who graduate from a military institution will receive an apartment

MOD Papikyan: A new type of benefit is being introduced for officers. Those who graduate from a military education institute will have the right to use an apartment for free, and become the owners of the apartment after several years.

Those who are admitted to the military educational institute after July 1st will receive the right to use an apartment upon graduation. And after 20 years of service (or shorter, if receives disability), the person will become the owner of the apartment.

If the serviceman is killed/dies during the contract term, his family will become the apartment owner.

Those who became students before July 1st could qualify for excellent mortgage benefits.

Pashinyan: The serviceman who receives the apartment but is not yet the owner, will be allowed to rent it out to others. We want servicemen to have good living conditions so they can focus on professional service. We want to encourage more servicemen to receive military education.

... Vazgen Sargsyan Military University will go through serious reforms: Pashinyan

Pashinyan:: It will be both in content and physical infrastructure. We are entering an important phase of army reforms.

MOD Papikyan: The length of military education will increase from 4 to 5 years. The graduates, upon receiving a position at any military station, will immediately receive the apartment under the aforementioned terms. They become the full owner after 20 years.

Education requirements will become stricter to raise the quality. Graduation will become more difficult.

Pashinyan: Don't scare away the potential applicants now, Papikyan. People must remember that if they choose this path, they will succeed as long as they study hard.

[more in video](https://youtu.be/llJK_iA-By4), [article](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1084929.html), [article](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1084945.html), [article](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1084974.html),

the number of families who use aid programs meant for boosting demographics is on the rise

Today the government allocated an additional ֏400 million to finance three programs that were adopted to encourage births and help families with a mortgage.

Minister: The program has three components. 1) A one-time aid to purchase or build a house in a province. 2) Aid for a person who is buying an apartment with a mortgage. 3) A one-time aid for a family who is buying an apartment with a mortgage and gives birth to a child.

👶 If the first or second child is born, the family receives up to $1,000 in aid.

👶 For the third+ child it's $4,000.

👶 If the mother is under the age of 30, and the third child is born, the aid is up to $8,000.

We've received a large number of applications. $4.5 million has been paid to 3,250 recipients so far. We expect the number of recipients this year to equal the 2020 and 2021 combined.

Pashinyan: We need to raise awareness about the available aid. For example, beginning this year, for every third and future childbirth the family will receive $100/mo for two years.

So if you have two children and buy an apartment with a mortgage, we give you $2,000 right there. When the third is born, you get another $1,000, plus the one-time childbirth aid of $3,000, plus $100/mo until the child turns 2, plus another $100/mo for provincial mothers who work or $50/mo if they don't work. //

[more in video](https://youtu.be/8h_EPKDgfp4), [article](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1084923.html), [article](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1084974.html)

budget revenues from taxes & duties increased by 23% in the first five months

Uncle Samvel has so far collected ֏761.8 billion, which is 23.2% more than in the same period last year. The collected amount is ֏46 billion more than expected.

[article](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1084902.html)

reminder: cash cannot be used for large transactions like house and vehicle, starting July

Pashinyan: Reducing cash transactions remains one of the key areas of our reforms. The requirement to make house/vehicle transactions electronically will have a positive fiscal and anti-corruption effect. It will also protect the transaction parties.

Deputy Premier Mher: The reduction of cash and an increase in e-transactions will have a profound impact on interest rates. It will lead to more affordable loans of all types.

Pashinyan: Today many seniors and workers get their payments electronically but quickly withdraw it to spend as cash. By reducing cash transactions, we keep those funds in the banks. The banks have access to larger funds. You can still take out your cash at any time, but the banks now have more available cash for loans. Additional resources for loans lead to lower rates.

[article](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1084912.html) [more](https://youtu.be/sbeMpLT6F54) [video](https://youtu.be/arlu0pn859A)

starting next month, seniors and aid recipients will get 10% cashback while shopping & paying utilities

The details of the new program, meant to alleviate the impact of inflation, can be found in [May 19 news digest](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/utc8i1/may192022_your_daily_news_digest_from_armenia/).

Minister: Three banks have already joined the program [5% of the refund comes from gov't, 5% from your bank]. 390K out of 560K seniors are already receiving pension electronically, but only 1K of 80K social aid recipients do so. These numbers will likely increase once the benefits go into effect.

Pashinyan: You have time to switch from cash to electronic pension payments. Hopefully, the banks can handle the influx.

[article](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1084974.html)

there shouldn't be any "hidden" ads for online casinos: Pashinyan

The government recently adopted [laws](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/tx5ygt/your_daily_news_digest_from_armenia_tuesday) to combat gambling. For example, the transactions must be made electronically through a bank account so family members can find out if the hubby has a "problem", and -- in the future -- for the government to see if social aid recipients are wasting the aid on gambling.

Pashinyan: After the law was adopted to ban gambling ads, we've seen some attempts to bypass it by concealing the ads. It's necessary to find a way to combat it.

We launched the fight against gambling in 2018 but decided to implement it in phases upon the request of businesses, to give them some time to adjust. I urge the gambling businesses to stop the practice of attempting to bypass the law by concealing the ads. Let's agree not to harm our relations. //

[article](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1084919.html) [video](https://youtu.be/sbeMpLT6F54)

government approved changes to simplify the registration of imported vehicles by eliminating the need to go through the same process with multiple agencies

Customs agents are already doing identification and documentation. The same process is repeated by the police later during state registration. After the reforms, the customs agents will electronically send the available data to the police.

[article](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1084974.html)

government wants certain types of financial disputes to go through an alternative mediation institute to reduce the burden on courts

Today the executive branch approved amendments to the mediation/arbitration law. One of the goals is to reduce the load on courts by shifting some of the work to other mediation institutes.

Things related to divorce, child's residency after divorce, sharing wealth after divorce, alimony, etc. will need to go through the alternative institute first.

If both parties agree, the dispute process can take place online.

If the parliament adopts the amendment, within a year the Justice Ministry will retrain and involve new mediators per international standards.

[article](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1084974.html) [article](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1084993.html)

anti-corruption: last year ACC took action against 959 officials for not filing the mandatory wealth declaration paperwork

They were warned. An investigation was launched against 42. Some of them ended up receiving a $400 fine.

210 officials' paperwork was placed under a microscope. 139 were judges. In the end, 13 cases were referred to prosecutors.

[article](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1084990.html)

construction is underway to rebuild the Talin-Lanjik section of the North-South highway

A representative of the Asian Development Bank has arrived to observe the process. The area is being built by a Chinese firm Sinohydro Corporation.

Armenian official: The length of this section is 18.7km. A 6km section was filled with asphalt and concrete within a month. The ADB bank is also co-financing the 42km section of Ashtarak-Talin road. This month we will choose a winner to build the 8km section that bypasses Agarak's archaeological site. //

[article](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1084915.html)

Pashinyan spoke with the President of Iran

They discussed the recent trilateral meeting in Brussels, unblocking of regional communication links, AM-AZ border demarcation, Artsakh conflict resolution, the construction of the third electric line between AM-IR, and the North-South highway project. There will be official visits to Yerevan and Tehran by the leaders.

Iran supports the peace negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan: Raisi

Raisi: Protecting the geopolitics of the region, international borders and sovereignty, and strengthening communication infrastructure is the principle of Iran. We support the progress in the AM-AZ peace talks. We hope the remaining issues will be resolved peacefully in accordance with international law while respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the two countries. //

[article](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1084900.html) [article](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1084920.html)

Pashinyan spoke with the Premier of Georgia

Kind words were exchanged. Soon they will meet to discuss various topics.

[article](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1084908.html)

deputy defense minister of Greece visited Armenia

Hardalias will meet MOD Papikyan, the High-Tech Minister, other officials, and the members of the Greek community. He visited the Genocide memorial in Tsitsernakaberd.

We are ready to assist Armenia in overcoming challenges, said Hardalias during a meeting with church leaders.

MOD Papikyan discussed the need to cooperate in the military-technical direction.

[article](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1084904.html) [article](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1084959.html) [article](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1084983.html) [article](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1084999.html)

80 schools in provinces will receive lab equipment

The government wants all 1,400 schools to have modern engineering and STEM labs by 2026. The World Bank (EU) is co-financing it. Today the government approved a plan to accept €4.1 million that will help establish modern labs in 80 schools in Tavush province.

Students in Tavush are studying a new subject called "Թվային գրագիտություն և համակարգչային գիտություն" (digital literacy and computer science). It starts in 2nd grade.

[article](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1084974.html)

former employees of Artsakh's Security Council had filed a lawsuit against chief Vitaly Balasanyan

Under Gen. Samvel Babayan, dozens of additional employees were hired to work at the Security Council. He later left the position and was replaced by Vitali Balasanyan. Balasanyan refused to work with the staff and fired everyone.

The staff were promised another job within 3 months but weren't given any. They contacted Artsakh Human Rights Ombudsman, who conducted an investigation and found violations with the decree.

29 of the 50 fired employees decided to sue. The case reached the court, which apparently sided with the plaintiffs. To "reduce the burden on the state", they agreed to settle for a $2,000 compensation without further demands.

[article](https://www.civilnet.am/news/663735/վիտալի-բալասանյանն-ազատվել-է-սամվել-բաբայանի-կադրերից․-գործը-հասել-է-դատարան/)

Zvartnots employees find and return a wallet with €12,000 cash

Someone traveling from Frankfurt to Yerevan dropped a wallet with tons of cash. It was handed over to the airport security, who found and returned it to the owner. >!Don't be such a հավ․!<

[article](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1084977.html)

first direct flight was held between Yerevan and Almaty (Kazakhstan)

Kazakh FlyArystan will operate Almaty-Yerevan direct flights twice a week. Kazakh bloggers arrived in Armenia on a 4-day tour to learn about the country. Works are underway to open direct flights with the capital Nursultan.

The regular flights are highly important in terms of developing economic relations, said Armenian officials during the "opening ceremony".

One-way ticket costs around $100.

[article](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1084950.html)

the Armenian version of "Hotel Rwanda"

A book titled "The Aleppo Rescue Home: 1464 Accounts of Armenian Genocide Survivors" was presented at the Genocide Museum today. It has the accounts of thousands of survivors.

>The Aleppo Rescue Home or Reception House as mentioned in the League of Nations documents was established first by the American Near East Relief organization in 1918 and then administered by the League of Nations. It was situated in the northern outskirts of Aleppo. With the help of its Armenian and Arab agents and several stations established in different parts of the region, League Commissioner Karen Jeppe was able to shelter in the Reception Home thousands of Armenians, who were rescued or who rescued themselves from Muslim captivity.

>Karen Jeppe succeeded in liberating thousands of Armenians not only from Arab Bedouins but from neighboring Turks and Kurds. Liberation or rescue was performed through negotiation, bribery, kidnapping or urging the Armenians to flee by themselves. Usually they were ransomed by their rescuers, at a rate of 0,50-2 Turkish gold depending on the territory. Sometimes the amount of ransom reached 10 Turkish gold, however this was very high.

[article](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1084970.html) [article](http://www.genocide-museum.am/eng/RESCUE_HOME.php)

Soldiers' Insurance Foundation will participate in Yerevan Wine Days for the first time

The Foundation, also known as [1000plus](https://www.1000plus.am/en/donation-types/), is providing financial assistance to servicemen and their families.

They will bring disabled servicemen to participate in the June 3-5 wine festival in the capital. The servicemen will present their handmade items and business plans.

[article](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1084960.html)

VIDEO: group of Azeri war veterans broke into the Social Ministry building with complaints about lack of disability aid

The 2020 veterans complained that they were unfairly deprived of disability benefits. They broke the ministry windows and entered the hall. A confrontationn ensued.

The suicide rate remains high among Azeri war veterans. Another former soldier, who fought in Mataghis direction, was found hanging in his apartment. Over three dozen suicides have been recorded, without counting the unsuccessful attempts.

[video](https://youtu.be/WlvQEtkgWvs?t=8), [video](https://youtu.be/8LLnNpgEAds?t=3), [article](https://factor.am/518230.html) [article](https://factor.am/517710.html)

UN World Tourism Organization held a session in Yerevan

International guests arrived to take part in the session that was focused on Europe. Deputy PM Matevosyan thanked the guests for electing Armenia as a member of the Executive Council earlier.

They discussed topics relating to tourism, COVID, and making tourism more resilient to shocks.

[article](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1084931.html)

Armenia moves up 18 positions in WEF Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report

Georgia 44

Turkey 45

Armenia 61 (was 79 in 2019)

Azerbaijan 63

Moldova 77

[article](https://arka.am/en/news/tourism/armenia_improves_its_position_in_wef_travel_tourism_competitiveness_report/)

ski federation is going through reforms

Federation chief Gagik: China will become a skiing powerhouse soon. A memorandum for cooperation was signed recently during an international congress.

[In other news.] The newly elected head of the International Ski Federation will visit Armenia soon. He has launched a series of reforms, which we support. We presented our package for reforms.

⛷️ The International Ski Federation will be renamed. It will be "Ski and Snowboard" instead of just "Ski". We decided to rename Armenia's federation accordingly.

⛷️ Under new international reforms, the men and women will compete at the same distance. There will also be mixed teams with men and women.

⛷️ Two countries can join their teams if they lack a sufficient number of athletes. [what?]

Athletes will soon arrive from Belarus to train in Tsakhkadzor and Ashotsk. //

[article](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1084911.html)

weightlifter Rafik Harutyunyan is the European champion

The tournament began earlier in Albania. The men's team has joined the fight. 81kg Rafik won the gold after lifting 160 + 194.

Karen Margaryan finished 4th after failing to lift and hold the weight twice.

89kg Andranik Karapetyan won silver after lifting 174 + 191.

[article](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1084893.html [article](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1085001.html)

Yerevan will host 3 international chess tournaments and the international biology olympiad this year

The Olympiad is on July 10-18. Delegations from 70 countries will arrive.

The government allocated $45,000 to Yerevan Chess Federation to organize the chess tournaments: Yerevan Open 2022, Future Talent 2022, and another youth competition. To goal is to discover new talent.

[article](https://factor.am/518320.html) [article](https://factor.am/518267.html)

in case you missed

Yesterday's news in English, русский (by Impossible-Ad-). Archive by Armeniapedia. Donate to Armenia & Artsakh here

The accused are innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law, even if they "appear" guilty.

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Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/v3hysm/jun22022_your_daily_news_digest_military/