Armenian press review (January 28-February 3)

By Vestnik Kavkaza

The press is discussing the vote of the Armenian delegation at the PACE session on depriving Russia of voting rights in the organization. Zhamanak newspaper questions the absence of the members of the Armenian delegation from non-ruling parties at the winter session of PACE for reasons of problems with health. Three Armenian MPs – one from Orinats Enkir and two from the Republican Party – who participated in the session, abstained from voting. The periodical reports: “Actually, the reason for the “non-ruling” illness was a desire to avoid the vote on Russia. Those MPs who were present abstained from voting. By the way, this could be considered real heroism, regarding the vote in the UN on Crimea, when Armenia voted against it. In fact, it seems the authorities are more independent and bold on the issue than the opposition.”

The Armenian media is discussing the confrontation between small and medium-sized businesses and the government over a new draft on turnover tax. Chorrod Ishkhanutyun writes: “What is going on in reality? On the one hand, the government is right. For many years everybody has been saying that the economy should be taken from the “shadows” and taxes should be reduced. On the other hand, small and medium-sized enterprises know well all the peculiarities of Armenian business. They have counted up and understood that according to the new law they would have to pay more. It doesn’t matter whether it will be a tax, fees or penalties. That’s why they are protesting.”

On Monday another spring session of the Armenian parliament began. “The internal political life is intensifying,” Irates De Facto reports. “However, it is not clear whether the hot political autumn which was promised by the opposition will shift to spring. Obviously, the non-governmental forces will try to place the authorities in a difficult position; while the authorities will be satisfied with this fact, as they are dealing with an absolutely controlled “opposition.” The non-governmental forces should stop using the methods approved by the ruling party. Otherwise, Armenian society, which knows all the methods very well, will easily leave all the political players who try to use them in the background of political life,” the newspaper notes.

Aykakan Zhamanak published a list of MPs who were absent at sessions of the National Assembly more often than others in the period September-December 2014. The head of Prosperous Armenia, Gagik Tsrukyan, is at the top of the list. 113 meetings were held during the sixth session of the NA. According to the Department of Information and Public Relations, Tsarukyan was absent from all 113 meetings. In general, the representatives of Prosperous Armenia are the leaders of the list.

Air Armenia, the only Armenian airline since December 2014, can restart flights in March, Sirak Ambartsumyan told Zhokhovurd. “In October 2014 the company stopped flying; its administration spread a message that the airline would restart flights in December. However, in late December the director and owner of Air Armenia, Arsen Avetisyan, declared he was selling 49% of the live stock to the Russian company East Prospect Fund. Thus, Air Armenia is not an Armenian airline anymore; and today Armenia has no airline company which provides regular flights,” the newspaper states.

“The Armenian government is one of the most effective governments in the world, maybe the most effective,” Aykakan Zhamanak reports. “Such a conclusion was made after studying a plan of fulfillment of the program of governmental activities for the period of August-December 31st 2014. It was fulfilled 100%. It was a perfect and irreproachable fulfillment. There were 75 provisions. The question is: if the government fulfills its duties by 100%, why is Armenia such a poor country…” the newspaper concludes.

Spreading of disinformation, obvious lies and provocative messages in the Armenian segment of the internet (through information websites and Facebook) assumed unprecedented scales, Iravnuk reports. “According to a source connected with information security circles, works on identification of personal data of all players have already been completed; and in the near future lists of those who participate in the information and psychological war against the country will be published – with photos and descriptions of activities,” Iravnuk notes.

“Foreign transfers to Armenia continue decreasing. According to the Central Bank, in 2014 $1.728 billion was transferred through banks to private individuals. In 2013 it was $1.869 billion,” Chorrod Ishkhanutyun reports. “It is interesting that transfers from Russia have decreased: in 2014 $1.4 billion was transferred from Russia to Armenia; in 2013 it was $1.6 billion. At the same time, the number of private transfers from the USA increased from $82.3 million to $103.6 million,” the newspaper reports.

The international ratings agency Fitch decreased the long-term issuer default rating of Armenia in foreign and national currency from BB- to B+, according to Aykakan Zhamanak. “It is the third case of decreasing Armenia’s economic rating in recent time. Only two weeks ago our rating was decreased by Moody’s. Plus, there is a forecast by the European Bank that the pace of economic growth will slow down in Armenia, as well as a huge regress of the country, according to the Heritage Foundation’s economic freedom rating. It is clear that for foreign investors our country is becoming even more unattractive. In general, the financial and economic situation and expectations in the sphere have never been so bad,” the periodical writes.

“It is possible only in Armenia: a company which was recognized bankrupt took 11th place in the list of the 1000 major taxpayers of the country,” Zhokhovurd reports. “It is true. The Armavia Company takes 11th place in the list of the 1000 major taxpayers of the country, paying 7.176 billion drams to the state budget. Armavia, which used to belong to oligarch Mikhail Bagdasarov, stopped flying in April 2013. Last autumn the company was recognized bankrupt. Armavia has about 130 loan holders -companies, banks, former employees and the tax service. Even when Armavia was a profitable company, it wasn’t included on the list of the 20 major taxpayers. Actually, when it paid the majority of its debts, it was automatically included om the list of major taxpayers,” the newspaper concludes.