2022 June 30

Daily news wrap-up

Jun/30/2022 news \\ Artsakh will build a large hydro station, new power/internet/gas lines, safer road to Armenia \\ Pensions, min. wage, childcare aid to rise \\ Details of Arm-Az border check & transit \\ Economy stats \\ Closer to North-South \\ Ex-MP sentenced to 9yr \\ Driver's license & visa
by ar_david_hh

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11 minutes. 2839 words.

Government met to discuss the progress on 2021-2026 plan

The Executive is aiming for a 7% economic growth. It seemed improbable earlier this year but they believe it's possible, especially [after the recent growth revisions](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/vmwuh7/jun282022_news_expremiers_bombshell_interview/) by IMF and Central Bank. The goal is to achieve and maintain 7% growth in the next few years.

... Finance Minister provides details:

▶︎ Debt will reduce faster. The debt-to-GDP ratio should fall below 60%.

▶︎ Tax revenues will exceed 23.4% of GDP.

▶︎ Budget expenditures will rely more on own revenues and less on borrowed funds. As a result, the deficit won't exceed 3% of GDP [was 5.4% in 2020, 4.59% in 2021]. It will further reduce to 2.6% in 2025.

▶︎ 10.2% economic growth in the first 5 months of this year. The year could end with 7%.

▶︎ To help maintain that 7% growth in the next few years, we will increase capital expenditures. It will increase from 4.5% of GDP to 6% by 2025.

▶︎ Significantly more investments in social infrastructure and economy. Education financing will rise from 2.3% and reach 2.6%, and healthcare from 1.6% to 1.7%. Next year we plan to spend ֏65b ($160m) more on social security programs.

▶︎ Next year we will increase the public sector's wage fund by ֏17b ($42m).

▶︎ Education will get an additional ֏31b ($77m).

▶︎ Next year science budget will get an additional ֏6.2b (total of ֏36.3b, after an 82% hike this year) so we can have research facilities with equipment shared by scientists. Scientists will get a raise.

▶︎ Artsakh will receive ֏144b ($353m) next year.

... Pashinyan about the economy:

▶︎ Economy grew +13% in May. The strongest locomotives were construction +18%, services +30%, energy production +8%, and exports +34%. Sadly, the industrial output only grew by 2%, and we still have high inflation.

▶︎ Budget revenue plan for H1 2022 has so far been outperformed by ֏47b, and we are yet to receive ֏10b from EAEU's customs pot.

... pensions, minimum wage, and child aid will increase starting January 1: Pashinyan

▶︎ Minimum wage to increase from ֏68k ($166) to ֏75k ($184).

▶︎ The financial aid for kids under the age of 2, which began in 2020, will increase from ֏28.6k to ֏30.7k.

▶︎ Every mother will be eligible for this aid regardless of where they live and employment status. Rural mothers who are employed will receive the double amount (֏61.4k).

▶︎ Pensions will also increase, as we promised during the elections. Details soon. //

[video,](https://youtu.be/hNNJuJ9niz0) [article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087260.html) [article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087262.html) [article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087264.html) [article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087284.html) [video,](https://youtu.be/PfNZ2cEE9wM) [video,](https://youtu.be/c-HRibNNp7M) [article,](https://www.statista.com/statistics/440801/armenia-budget-balance-in-relation-to-gdp/)

iGorts: diasporan expert Tatev Manucharyan believes it's necessary to develop provinces to have a strong country

Manucharyan, who migrated to the U.S. at the age of 16, returned to Armenia last year to help the government with environmental protection, as part of the iGorts program organized by the Diaspora Office.

Manucharyan: I was born in Yerevan and later moved with the family to Los Angeles. Studied political science at a university, before moving to the Netherlands to study EU Legislation.

I have always wished to return to Armenia and work here, and after the war, my desire further intensified.

I've encountered very few problems in Armenia, but I do wish the residents treated nature with more care. It's sad to see garbage everywhere. I'm more concerned about waste management and air pollution.

My iGorts program ends in September. I hope there will be more opportunities so that I can work and live in Armenia. Armenia has many good sides, but I see potential in all areas that are not used much. I would like to see more investments, both public and private, in the education sector.

Apricot orchards in full bloom are the best. //

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087255.html)

update: Supreme Judicial Council won't launch ethics case against chief Jhangiryan because of "statute of limitations" and the ex-chief's refusal to provide unedited materials

Context about "pressure" allegations and "blackmail" counter-allegations in [June 20](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/vgxrh1/jun202022_news_armenia_is_preparing_for_starlink/) and [June 24](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/vjyvqh/jun242022_your_daily_news_digest/) digests.

Ex-chief Vardazaryan wanted current chief Jhangiryan removed from the position after releasing the tape. The panel of judges has decided there is not enough valid evidence to launch an ethics investigation against Jhangiryan unless Vardazaryan wants to share the unedited tape, but even if he does, it won't be possible because Vardazaryan recorded the tape and sat on it for 1.5 years, while the "statute of limitation" for ethics case is 1 year.

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087296.html)

government nominates prominent pro-Western lawyer for Constitutional Court judge

Serj appointee Arevik Petrosyan's term will end in December. It's the Government's turn to nominate a judge, so the Court has asked them to nominate one.

The government has nominated Seda Safaryan for the position. Parliament will vote to approve or reject her soon.

Safaryan is a prominent lawyer, most famous for representing March 1st victims. She is a staunch critic of the Kocharyan regime, and a pro-Western figure who joined the Babajanyan-Shirinyan alliance to run against Pashinyan's QP during the 2021 elections.

Safaryan: Կարծում եմ, որ իմ անմիջական մասնակցությունը սահմանադրական արդարադատության իրականացմանը կստացվի, և դուք չեք զղջա՝ ինձ այդ բարձր պաշտոնի թեկնածու առաջադրելու համար:

[video,](https://youtu.be/KCqIfon6TYU) [article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087277.html) [article,](https://www.aravot-en.am/2021/06/08/284086/)

Armenia's new national carrier FlyArna is one step closer to flying

Dickie signed a service agreement with Cross Technics company to provide line maintenance services in Zvartnots. The company recently hired 18 engineers to support Dickie. The first flight is scheduled for July 3 to Egypt.

[article,](https://hetq.am/en/article/146106)

the government will use eminent domain law to pave way for the construction of the crucial North-South highway in Syunik

It's about the Yerevan-Yeraskh-Goris-Meghri-Iran road's Sisian-Kajaran section, the most difficult part that will involve multiple tunnels and bridges.

The government has decided to seize 570 pieces of private lands located on the path, in exchange for compensation.

▶︎ Avg. speed on the 60-kilometer Class-2 road is expected to be 100 km/h.

▶︎ 4.7km bridges and 12.5km tunnels. Bargushat tunnel alone will be 8.6km.

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087284.html) [video,](https://youtu.be/b7z4QtEEGEo)

Armenia and Azerbaijan are one step closer to lifting the communication blockade

Security Council chief Armen Grigoryan: Our positions have gotten closer lately. As we've stated earlier, there will be no "corridor". Last year Azerbaijan was demanding a "corridor", but even Russia and the EU publicly stated that no such topic is being discussed. We will conduct border control and checks.

Reporter: For example, if the Azeri cargo passes through Armenia, will it be examined and will they pay a customs fee to pass.

Grigoryan: If you are asking about the technical part, the "customs clearance" process happens when someone exports the product to Armenia as the destination. If Armenia is used only as a transit state, that's not customs clearance per se, but they do pay transit taxes. It's similar to transfers between Georgia and Iran. The same for Azerbaijan.

Today the negotiations are around the methods that will be used to control the border. We could use modern technologies like "applications" to expedite the process. In any case, we will have full control over the border. //

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087269.html) [video,](https://youtu.be/PDp1GRGmLPY?t=64) [video,](https://youtu.be/W4uSi3ZaTS4)

Artsakh president about the new Lachin road between Armenia and Artsakh, and surrounding villages

[Earlier this month we received confirmation](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/vbo6zh/jun132022_your_daily_news_digest_interview_w) that the residents of the villages next to the current Lachin road will need to be relocated when the new Lachin corridor road is built. Berdzor had a population of 2,000 before the war and 100 after. They will be given apartments to relocate.

Artsakh parliament MP: Pashinyan recently said that Artsakh authorities guided him with the selection of the new road path. Can you confirm? And can you tell us what will happen to the villages neighboring the existing road?

Artsakh President Arayik: Russia and Azerbaijan offered several road connection options. We rejected all of them. The new road that's being built was discussed during Security Council sessions several times, attended by representatives from [ARF and pro-Kocharyan parties]. We chose the best road option. I can't publicly state some of the reasons why, but it's about future security.

Once the road is complete, we will be able to:

1) Express our stance on whether the road meets the quality we were expecting.

2) Whether it will be truly safe. I firmly believe the new path will be orders of magnitude safer for many reasons, without opening parenthesis. It will be easier for our NSS and peacekeepers to do their work.

3) The Nov. 9 agreement states that we must leave Berdzor. As for Aghavno, we are still working on a solution. There is already almost no population in Sus village. Berdzor and Sus residents were given compensation.

This topic has been discussed several dozen times on public platforms and with political parties. Today you've got to worry more about the spy network that we have here in Artsakh. I can't step out of my office without Azeris instantly knowing about it. But you want to make a scene about why we chose this highway path. If you don't like it, let's get together and cancel Security Council's decision, and keep the existing road, if you are willing to take responsibility for the outcome. //

[article,](https://factor.am/528857.html) [video,](https://youtu.be/ASBaVUXQK8M) [video,](https://youtu.be/ZKBRoasfeD4) Tags: #RoadSafety #NewRoad #Berdzor #Aghavno

Artsakh is building a large hydro power station, electric grid, internet cables, and likely gas pipe

President Arayik: We are building a very large 17MW hydro station. Not only will this resolve our electricity issue, but it will regulate the regime. The large business that we have in the north, I won't name it [mining?] is highly interested in this project. It's not only about the generated volume. There are other electrical parameters that we will be able to deliver.

Azerbaijan will build electric poles alongside the new Lachin road that they are building in areas under their control. It's going to be a lot more powerful. We will revamp our network's capacity.

We are working with Azeris on other communication projects. They will build some of it. Karabakh Telekom will install protected cables so some jackass will no longer be able to cut the suspended cable "just for fun" and shut down the entire connection. We will have multiple lines underground and above the ground.

We are negotiating around gas [a new gas pipe, presumably]. It won't be cheap. We are negotiating. //

[video,](https://youtu.be/AO19rMYFA7U) [article,](https://factor.am/528878.html) Tags: #Artsakh #GasPipe #ArtsakhElectricity

anti-corruption: State Supervision Service wants prosecutors to investigate alleged corruption instances after receiving reports from citizens

SSS has confirmed instances of corruption reported by several citizens, and asked prosecutors to investigate:

▶︎ Gazeebo was built illegally next to a protected historical monument in Shirak >![extremely Armenian]!<.

▶︎ A mayor of a settlement illegally converted the status of the land before selling it in pieces.

▶︎ Medical center falsified a COVID patient's records.

▶︎ An official broke the law while distributing apartments to survivors of the 1988 quake.

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087259.html)

ex-HHK MP Alraghatsi Lyovik is sentenced to 9 years in prison

Serj's former party member Levon Sargsyan, aka Alraghatsi Lyovik, has been found guilty of organizing and ordering an armed attack on the residence of former IRS chief Armen Avetisyan 14 years ago. Lyovik's son-in-law is sentenced to 8 years.

Russia extradited Lyovik to Armenia in 2020. >!How nice.!<

[article,](https://factor.am/528900.html)

government allocates ֏67m to send a wounded veteran to London for treatment after finding the treatment was impossible in Armenia

Defense Ministry will receive the funds to organize Martiros Kocharyan's travel so he can undergo 3 follow-up surgeries.

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087284.html)

Armenia rolls back COVID-related visa restrictions for citizens of several countries

It's about the ability to get a visa on the border. This privilege was limited during the pandemic. Citizens of the following countries will once again qualify: Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Marocco, Tunis, Algiers, and Vietnam.

... other visa reforms

You will fill out the same visa form regardless of whether you are obtaining it from an embassy, E-VISA, or on the border.

>Նախատեսվում է վերականգնել ՀՀ պետական սահմանին մուտքի վիզա ստանալու հնարավորությունը՝ 21 երկրների քաղաքացիների համար։ Նշված երկրները ընտրվել են փոխադարձության սկզբունքի, միգրացիոն ռիսկերի և ուղևորահոսքերի համադրված գնահատման արդյունքում։

>51 երկրների քաղաքացիների համար կսահմանվի ՀՀ պետական սահմանին մուտքի վիզա ստանալու հնարավորություն, եթե նրանք ունեն մի շարք զարգացած պետությունների, այդ թվում՝ ԵՄ և Շենգենյան համաձայնագրի, Ծոցի երկրների կացության քարտ կամ վավեր վիզա։

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087284.html)

does Armenia really need tourists?

They had to put a sign "do not climb" on the Noravank monastery after a Russian tourist (of Armenian origin) fell and had to be hospitalized.

[photo](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087304.html)

Russian Parliament greenlights a bill on recognizing national driving licenses of Armenian citizens

Russian Duma adopted a bill at the first hearing on recognizing Armenian licenses if it's being used for work purposes.

[article,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1087249.html)

Armenian and Russian chemical-pharmaceutical companies organized a forum

The 3-day ChemEx forum launched on Thursday in Yerevan. Biotech and other firms arrived from EAEU countries, mostly Russia, to discuss cooperation.

Economy Minister Kerobyan: Chemistry and the pharma industry are priority areas for us. We have big plans on how to develop these branches in Armenia. The chemical industry was quite developed in Soviet Armenia. Our goal is to return to the same level and exceed it. //

Last year Armenia and Russia signed an agreement to form a roadmap for scientific cooperation. The ChemEx forum will be used as one of the platforms to implement the roadmap.

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087267.html)

prominent Russian ballet director is in search of "Juliet" in Armenia

Former dancer and ballet director Oleg Vinogradov is in Armenia to direct the "Romeo and Juliet" by Sergei Prokofiev, which is based on Shakespeare's work.

He has done this once in Yerevan Opera in 1970. The upcoming performance will be dedicated to his 85th anniversary.

Vinogradov: I'm very happy to be back in Armenia after 52 years. A wonderful country, amazing Yerevan, a very festive city. Here I met an elegantly dressed audience. The streets are full of music, full of kind people who love music and ballet. //

Vinogradov has already found Romeo. He is looking for the right Juliet ahead of the August 1 premiere. Are you the one?

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087251.html)

RosTelecom ISP has financed the construction of a robotics lab for students in Ararat province

Last year the ISP launched a program titled "Նվիրի՛ր երազանք": 30% of every new customer's monthly payment went towards the construction of an engineering lab in the village of Shaghap, Ararat.

The opening ceremony was today. It's located in the school building. The students will have access to computers, equipment, and lots of Lego.

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087286.html)

Israel's new ambassador to Armenia visited the Genocide Memorial

Joel Lion's diplomatic residence in Jerusalem. He visited Armenia this week to meet Armenian leadership. They spoke about establishing parliamentary ties and the development and bilateral relations.

Lion was given a tour at the Genocide Museum, where he left a note in the Book of Honorable Guests.

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087291.html) [article,](https://www.armenpress.am/eng/news/1087182/)

Armenian Greco-Roman wrestlers won 4 medals during U20 European Championships

1 gold (60kg Suren Aghajanyan), 1 silver, and 2 bronze.

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087293.html)

today in history

1957: Ex-president Serj Sargsyan is born.

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087236.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/vogg80/jun302022_news_artsakh_will_build_a_large_hydro/