Author: VK
The second term in office of Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan and his government, the newspaper "Voice of Armenia" reports, should be a period of effective work in the first place on the priority areas for the country. The first of these is to ensure decent jobs for people, because "people want to eat today, not when they fulfill different strategic programs of 2020 and 2030." The ongoing migration and post-election events in the country are a clear confirmation when some people, tired "to knock on closed doors," vote with their feet for change, and other, more active, holdrallies and protest marches. To address issues of employment and provide a uniform spatial development, the state has developed a series of measures to influence the inefficient land owners, industry and other productive assets, "Voice of Armenia” informs. Now it is not profitable "to retain them" until better times, when there is rampant unemployment. Not used for its intended purpose within three years, the land will be returned back to the community property and leased to those who are willing to work on it. The tax rate for those who do not use their owned facilities for years will be increased. This should force them either to start some a profitable activity on their production areas, including through the conversion of enterprises, or to put them up for sale at the secondary market, “Voice of Armenia" explains. In addition, the fight against corruption, protectionism, the reform of the judicial system, the introduction of mandatory pension system and new market institutions, and much more – all this is a boundless scope of work for the prime minister and his government.
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The Georgian Times newspaper published an interview with the deputy head of the EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM) in Georgia, Gerard A. Fischer. He said the current number of EU observers in the country is about 250. The main function of the EUMM, which was created after a five-day war between Russia and Georgia in August 2008, is to promote the normalization of the situation in the areas adjacent to the borders of Georgia with South Ossetia and Abkhazia. According to Mr. Fisher, observers conduct patrols to monitor the cease-fire and the overall situation on the ground and assist in the resolution of incidents focusing attention on the issue of freedom of movement of people. In the office of the Mission there is a 24-hour "hot line", and any party to the conflict can call there and ask questions. He also said that in order to strengthen confidence his group of observers with the OSCE on a monthly basis within the framework of the so-called mechanism to prevent and respond to incidents (MPRI) facilitates meetings with the participation of all parties to the conflict. Head of the Mission noted that due to the measures undertaken, the parties generally observe the cease-fire, in many cases it is possible to predict whether it is necessary to reduce or eliminate the tension arising between the parties; the parties of the conflict can exchange information, discuss emerging incidents, often they manage to agree on ways to minimize the impact of the conflict on the daily life of local people.
Obstacles to the work of the observers, EU representative said, are that in April 2012 Abkhazia accused the Head of Mission of ignoring its requests and declared him "persona non grata". Despite the fact that the Mission's mandate covers the entire territory of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders, the authorities in Abkhazia and South Ossetia still ban on entry to the territory of these republics for the observers. However, Mr. Fisher said, EUMM will continue to implement its mandate and to do everything possible to keep the situation on the ground quiet and free from war.
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In Baku, a unique project is going to be carried out. In connection with the expansion and improvement of Fizuli street, historic building built in 1908 which belonged to a famous millionaires, the Gadzhinsky brothers, will be moved. Azerbaijani "Khalq Gazeti" published an article about the press conference by Leon Sveyher, head of Bresser Eurasia company tasked to carry out this work. According to him, the uniqueness of the project lies in the fact that the transfer of very large and heavy building for the entire practice of such works will be made. Its length is 52 meters, width - 35 m, height - 20 m, and the building’s weight is about 18 tons. It is assumed that this fact will be recorded in the Guinness Book of Records. Mr. Sveyher also noted that this is the first project of this kind in the territory of the CIS. The process of moving will take 5 days. To do this, under the building 210 lifts will be installed, with their help it will be raised a few millimeters, and 9 hydraulic machineries will move it to the right place. The entire process will be fully captured on camera for the demonstration. Mr. Sveyher assured that he is fully confident in the success of the operation.
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On April 16, Chechnya celebrated the fourth anniversary of the historic event - the abolition of the counter-terrorism operation (CTO) regime in the territory of the republic. According to the newspaper "Capital Plus", the decision to abolish the special regime had important political and symbolic significance for the Chechen society and opened up to the entire republic and each of its residents a huge opportunity and prospects for creative work.
According to "News of the republic," the abolition of the CTO regime gave a powerful impetus to the socio-economic development of the republic, the involvement in the economy of Russian and foreign investment, intensification of foreign trade. Large-scale reconstruction works were carried out, the largest in the North Caucasus business center "Grozny City" was built, which includes one 42-storey, two 30-storey and two 18-storey residential buildings, as well as two 30-storey buildings - a five-star hotel and office center. It became possible to give the Grozny airport an international status, as well as to open customs office. Observers agree that the Chechen Republic is among the most dynamic regions of Russia and its people again feel full citizens of their country.
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According to the newspaper "South Ossetia", the inhabitants of the rural areas of the country face the problem of wolf attacks on livestock, including cattle. The reason for this is, according to the newspaper, the increase of the population of wolves, jackals and foxes because of the termination of the planned shooting. Republican organization "Society of Hunters and Fishermen," which deals with shooting wild animals, faces serious challenges, both financial and organizational. And after the events of the war in 2008 the organization for a long time almost did not function, and it only resumed operations in 2011. However, this is not always possible to arrange a hunt. The government does not encourage hunters, they are not given bonuses for the dead animal, they do not have their premises and vehicles.
Meanwhile, the edition continues, the villagers are afraid to herd cattle. Predators pose a threat to the people themselves, and only few dare to go home in the evening.
