Republican Party of Armenia

 A regular Cabinet meeting was held today, chaired by Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan. The Ministry of Transport and Communication will be allocated AMD 50mln to provide State support to the victims of the November 3 Moscow-Yerevan bus crash in Tula region of Russia.

Each victim’s family will be provided AMD1.5 million, while those survivors under treatment in Russian and Armenian hospitals will get 700 thousand drams each. Other bus passengers will get 500 thousand drams. Where necessary, vehicles and undertaker’s supplies will be made available. The Government will also cover the transportation costs for such survivors still hospitalized in Russia as may wish to return to Armenia.

Hovik Abrahamyan thanked the Russian Prime Minister and the Minister of Transport, as well as the Governor of Tula region and all healthcare workers for cooperation and assistance, noting with satisfaction the effective work done by the commission established on the occasion.

The Government endorsed the agreement between the Republic of Armenia and the Eurasian Development Bank on the provision of an EAEC anti-crisis fund-supported investment loan under the Irrigation Systems Modernization Program.

The agreement provides for the grant of an investment loan of USD 40 million in order to increase the efficiency of irrigation systems, expand the coverage of irrigated lands, develop managerial skills, as well as to enhance the technical capacity of water user associations and others.

The meeting next approved a methodology for estimation of the amount of electricity consumed illegally within the system of power distribution. It will enable the regulatory authority and the operator to make a distinction between regular and irregular losses and recover them during tariff calculation.

The Government established proportions and quotas for free import of articles of personal use by those individuals arriving in Armenia for permanent residence, including household appliances and personal devices - 3 pieces, used furniture – one set per each type of furniture, one car for personal use, as well as other household items used equipment without quantitative restrictions.