Republican Party of Armenia

 The Government held its first session in 2015, chaired by Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan.

Before the proceeding to the agenda, the meeting held a minute of silence to commemorate those Armenian citizens killed in the appalling crime committed in Gyumri.

The meeting first approved the 2015 Government Program and the relevant substantiation reports, as well as the priorities and their substantiation.

The Prime Minister expressed his opinion concerning the point at issue, “Yesterday we had a lengthy debate over the matter: Although a serious amount of work has been done, still there are shortfalls. The priorities and the program of activities are the least of what we should do. I expect more of you; I look forth to initiative, thoughtfulness and thoroughness. We have a lot of problems. Any head of agency is responsible not only for paperwork, but also for the sector under his jurisdiction. You are responsible for providing economic growth, employment, taxes and quality of services. Along with initiative, I expect high-quality work, and especially strong discipline.

We look forth to initiative, but we do not need raw and unprocessed documents. I shall be exacting in quality matters and will not accept such unprocessed drafts and documents that have not been discussed in detail. I am not here for doing paperwork. We are supposed to provide result and people should see the impact of our work. This is my personal approach, and I should ask my colleagues to do so.”

Based on Article 1 of the law “On border community tax exemptions,” the Government approved the list of those rural communities in border regions with farmland unused due to military operations eligible for tax exemptions. The list features one community in Gegharkunik Marz, one in Ararat Marz, 5 - in Ararat Marz and 24 – in Tavush Marz.

The Government amended a previous decree under which compensation will be provided for the former SU Savings Bank deposits made before June 10, 1993 by those Armenian citizens born before December 31, 1931, domiciled in needy families with vulnerability index above “0,” as well as for the deposits owned by the participants of military operations and by individuals registered in border communities.

Based on the budget appropriations envisaged in FY2015, the Executive approved the size of family allowances, welfare benefits and limp-sum assistance to be provided by local social service agencies, account taken of base family allowances, child benefits, the amounts of lump-sum emergency assistance, social benefits, child care allowances for up to two years.