Republican Party of Armenia

 The Cabinet held today a regular meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan.

Before proceeding to the agenda, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan referred to the self-started popular movement of the last few days, which according to the Premier is of social rather than political nature. The head of government stressed that any decision affecting large masses should be discussed in advance with the public (see separate).

The government approved the principled guidelines and a timetable for strategic review of tax and customs laws.

In order to enhance inspection reform efficiency, the meeting decided to set up managing boards with the agency inspectorates, approving a model charter for the boards so established. The boards’ staffing is subject to the Prime Minister’s approval.

To overhaul the applicable environmental law effective since 1995, improve the business environment and set new requirements, the government approved a new draft law on environmental impact assessment.

The new bill is expected to streamline the process of environmental impact assessment and expertise, making it simpler and more transparent, bringing in international norms and standards. However, as the Prime Minister noted, there is a conflict of interest with respect to this law in spite of heated discussions held with non-governmental organizations and the National Assembly approval in first reading.

“We are getting indications from the private sector, business entities who believe that the law ignores corporate interests, giving a one-sided preference to environmental issues. We need to hold debates with business representatives to listen to their views in order to ensure a more balanced approach before submission to the National Assembly," Tigran Sargsyan said in this connection.

In a bid to provide additional incentives for young researchers, the government decided to allocate AMD100mn to the Ministry of Education and Science for the first nine months of 2013 for subsequent contribution to the Youth Foundation of Armenia. The Minister of Education and Science was told to raise public awareness through mass media so that eligible young scientists could submit bids.

The government amended one of its previous decisions, reconsidering the approaches to the project of oncology excellence center. The amendment will lead to a consolidated medical center, equipped with state-of-the-art technologies, which is to become a regional hub over time.

The meeting accepted the proposal on signing an arrangement on mutual abolition of visa requirements between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Administration of Macao, a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China.