By Vestnik Kavkaza
The Armenian media is still focused on processes over the party of Prosperous Armenia. Zhamanak reports: “PA has turned into an internal governmental training range. It seems Serge Sargsyan has initiated the situation over the party to solve all disputes and confrontation in power on the training range, while in other parts of the power, there is peace. It will enable Sargsyan to prepare for the upcoming cycle of reproduction of power in calmer conditions.”
The editor of Aeavot writes: “The party’s management where power is concentrated in hands of one man, is not effective and outdated. PA suffered serious losses financially, due to the events; at the same time, it benefited – it got rid of “rats” and members of the party, who had to praise all steps by its leader previously, got freedom. The party elite will have to think about ideology (some politicians hate the word), a vision of the future, working mechanisms which are based not on the cult of a personality. Unfortunately, this cannot be said about other parties,” the newspaper concludes.
The chairman of the parliament Galust Saakyan answered to a question about his explanation of the “rat race” from Prosperous Armenia: “I think it is natural, and these is not a rat race. The party was founded by Tsarukyan, and people consolidated over him. Today Tsarukyan is out of politics, and everybody is getting rid of duties.” Zhamanak reports that speaking about deprivation of the former leader of PA Gagik Tsarukyan of his MP mandate, the speak of the parliament said: “The process depends on me, and the issue is about an individual decision; a final resolution will be published in a few days.”
Zhamanak reports on a statement by the Republicans, which says that probably Serge Sargsyan will present two sets of constitutional reform projects to the National Assembly. “It means Serge Sargsyan has no clear view on a shift to the parliamentary model, what duties should maintain in presidential management, whether the position of the president should be decorative or not, whether foreign political centers will accept such changes. The questions demand time from Serge Sargsyan. That’s why he will probably present two projects to have an opportunity to switch, developing them at the discussion progress, which will be provided by political forces.”
As a result of constitutional changes, the number of MPs in the Armenian parliament may decrease from 131 to 75, the head of the parliamentary faction of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia, Vagram Bagdasaryan, told Aykakan Zhamanak. When a journalist of the newspaper pointed out that the address required 121 mandates, the head of the parliamentary majority said: “It’s the first time I’ve heard about the number of 121. Let’s wait reforms. The number of MPs will probably be reduced to 75. If it changes, difference shouldn’t be serious. Otherwise, everything will remain the same.”
Speaking about criticism of political forces which met Serge Sargsyan, Aravot reports: “Meetings between the opposition and the authorities should be a natural process at various levels and platforms – a routine and an integral part of the political life. They are not enemies, they are different parts of a common system. Their different views should complement each other. For example, one party stands for constitutional reforms, the second party is against them; the third party stands for them, but under certain conditions; the fourth party is against them, but in some ways; the fifth party suspects that the power wants reproduction in such a way; the sixth party thinks the Constitution has nothing in common with the reproduction… What are obstacles on the way of discussion all these positions?”
Zhogovurd comments a message published at the official website of President of Russia. According to it, Vladimir Putin ordered the Bank of Russia and the government to define further directions of integration in monetary and financial spheres within the EaEU in a view with development of an opportunity to establish a monetary union in the future in cooperation with central banks of members of the EaEU till September 1st. The newspaper reports: “There can be no united currency in the near future, till the Constitution of Armenia hasn’t changed. The Armenian Constitution says that the national currency of Armenia is dram. However, it seems Russia has initiated some programs, but it is hushing up any information. The government and the Central Bank of Armenia don’t explain since when Putin gives them orders, what the order it is, and what damage will be done to the Armenian economy in favor of Russia, the Big Brother.”
Speaking about signing the new document on cooperation with the EU in the new geopolitical situation, Aykakan Zhamanak reports: “Signing of the new document between Armenia and the EU mainly depends not on the EU or Armenia, but on Russia. If Russia says “no”, Serge Sargsyan won’t sign even the most innocent document. At the moment Armenian and European diplomats have a difficult task – to develop such a document, which will satisfy Russia, and it won’t say “no.” The problem is that there are many diplomats in Armenia, who think that Russia will say “no” anyway. So, what’s the point in negotiations and another shame in front of the whole world? Pragmatists say that there is the point: Armenia will manage to have 400 million euro from the EU as a financial aid.”
The Armenian authorities made terms with leadership of the Russian company of Gazprom on a decrease of prices for gas imported to the republic from $189 to $165, Zhamanak reports, referring to its sources in the Armenian government. “It will enable to maintain gas prices for the population,” Zhamanak points out, adding that the question on a possible increase of electricity power prices is still topical due to serious financial problems of the company of ‘Electricity Networks of Armenia’. The newspaper reminds that Armenia has already received gas for internal Russian prices previously.
The CBA said that in the last quarter of last year international money transfers to Armenia in comparison with the same period in 2013 decreased by 24% and amounted to 162 billion drams, the newspaper "Aikakan Zhamanak" reports. "At the same time, transfers from Armenia abroad rose by 5% and amounted to 74 billion drams. In this case, it is not about private transfers, but about the movement of capital as a whole. This rate suggests a sharp reduction in the currency income to the country, and the rates of export of capital from Armenia increased, which in its financial system is called "monetary hunger." According to information from the banking system, this tendency has continued this year. This creates serious problems for banks in Armenia and may lead to new shocks in the financial market of the republic," the newspaper notes.
As stated in the 'Report on the study of migration issues in Armenia in the context of households', prepared in 2013 - 2014 by governmental and international organizations, at least 28.3% of the population, or 870 thousand people, are living abroad, the newspaper "Zhohovurd" reports. "In this case it is not about those who have left Armenia and refused citizenship. It is about those who were among the famous 3 million, calculated by the results of the population census, and settled under the term "population of the Republic of Armenia." We note that in this report there is much noteworthy information. In particular, according to the data of one of the tables, in 2013 the estimated population of Armenia was 2 million 690 thousand. If we subtract from this number the rate of emigration in 2013 and 2014, then the currently estimated population of Armenia is only 2 million 600 thousand people," 'Zhohovurd' says.
"Although a spokesman for the airline 'Air Armenia' stated that it is possible to resume flights by the end of March this year, according to information which has reached us, this is unlikely to happen, as the company that acquired its shares is in financial difficulties," the newspaper 'Zhamanak' reports. "49% of the shares of the airline company were sold to the British 'East Prospect Fund'. However, as we know, the prospects for investment in 'Air Armenia' by the said company were dictated by another transaction. Profits from it should have been directed to investments and programs to improve the health of the airline company. But the British company failed to successfully implement the deal, which is why investments were not made and should not be expected in the near future. Therefore, to think that the planes of the Armenian aircraft carrier will rise into the sky at the end of this month is not necessary. Especially if you consider that several deadlines noted by the representatives of the airline company have already passed, but the flights have not resumed. We also note that the airline company refuses to repay debts of wages to their employees. The pilots and flight attendants to this day cannot get the money owed to them. Some of them have presented lawsuits against the company, and now they are being considered," the newspaper notes.
