ITAR-TASS, Russia
May 8, 2013 Wednesday 06:27 PM GMT+4
Armenian president sees no obstacles to new government's effective work
YEREVAN May 8
- Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has outlined the main guidelines
and requirements for the newly formed government.
He signed several decrees on Wednesday, May 8, to appoint the heads of
ministries and agencies. "There are high expectations for this
government to live up to and I see no obstacles to its effective work.
On the contrary, I see that favourable conditions were created and
solid groundwork was laid in the previous years for good progress,"
the president said at the first meeting of the new government.
He stressed that "the work of the government will be evaluated
strictly by certain results. Last year the government was tasked with
ensuring an economic growth of at least 7 percent, which it did."
"This year, the same task has been set but we expect to see
qualitative and concrete indicators of government efficiency and
resolution of social problems. These indicators will include, among
others, increases in wages and pensions, optimisation of the swollen
bureaucratic apparatus and resolution of concrete social problems,"
Sargsyan said.
The majority of Cabinet members have retained their posts. Tigran
Sargsyan was reappointed as Armenia's prime minister in April 19. He
has been holding this position since April 9, 2008. His government
resigned on April 9, 2013 following the re-election of President Serzh
Sargsyan for a new term. The president accepted the resignation but
instructed the Cabinet to carry on until a new government was formed.
Under the Constitution, a new prime minister has to be appointed
within ten days after the government's resignation. A new government
has to be appointed within 20 days after the appointment of the prime
minister.
President Serzh Sargsyan said in April he would reappoint Tigran
Sargsyan as prime minister and also suggested that Defence Minister
Seyran Ohanyan and Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan retain their
posts in the new government.
There are three new ministers -- the minister of economics, the
minister of finance and the minister of sport - and a new government
chief of staff.
Minister of Economic Development Vagram Avanesyan, 51, already held
this post in 1996-1997 and was minister for economic and structural
reforms in 1999-1999.
Finance Minister David Sarkisyan, 36, has been government chief of
staff for the past five years. Now his signature will appear on
Armenian banknotes along with the signature of the chief banker.
Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Yuri Vardanyan, is a prominent
Soviet heavyweight lifter and winner of the Moscow Olympic Games in
1980. In 1991-2008, he lived in California, United States, working as
a coach and implementing social projects. Upon return to Armenia he
became a presidential adviser in 2009.
May 8, 2013 Wednesday 06:27 PM GMT+4
Armenian president sees no obstacles to new government's effective work
YEREVAN May 8
- Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has outlined the main guidelines
and requirements for the newly formed government.
He signed several decrees on Wednesday, May 8, to appoint the heads of
ministries and agencies. "There are high expectations for this
government to live up to and I see no obstacles to its effective work.
On the contrary, I see that favourable conditions were created and
solid groundwork was laid in the previous years for good progress,"
the president said at the first meeting of the new government.
He stressed that "the work of the government will be evaluated
strictly by certain results. Last year the government was tasked with
ensuring an economic growth of at least 7 percent, which it did."
"This year, the same task has been set but we expect to see
qualitative and concrete indicators of government efficiency and
resolution of social problems. These indicators will include, among
others, increases in wages and pensions, optimisation of the swollen
bureaucratic apparatus and resolution of concrete social problems,"
Sargsyan said.
The majority of Cabinet members have retained their posts. Tigran
Sargsyan was reappointed as Armenia's prime minister in April 19. He
has been holding this position since April 9, 2008. His government
resigned on April 9, 2013 following the re-election of President Serzh
Sargsyan for a new term. The president accepted the resignation but
instructed the Cabinet to carry on until a new government was formed.
Under the Constitution, a new prime minister has to be appointed
within ten days after the government's resignation. A new government
has to be appointed within 20 days after the appointment of the prime
minister.
President Serzh Sargsyan said in April he would reappoint Tigran
Sargsyan as prime minister and also suggested that Defence Minister
Seyran Ohanyan and Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan retain their
posts in the new government.
There are three new ministers -- the minister of economics, the
minister of finance and the minister of sport - and a new government
chief of staff.
Minister of Economic Development Vagram Avanesyan, 51, already held
this post in 1996-1997 and was minister for economic and structural
reforms in 1999-1999.
Finance Minister David Sarkisyan, 36, has been government chief of
staff for the past five years. Now his signature will appear on
Armenian banknotes along with the signature of the chief banker.
Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Yuri Vardanyan, is a prominent
Soviet heavyweight lifter and winner of the Moscow Olympic Games in
1980. In 1991-2008, he lived in California, United States, working as
a coach and implementing social projects. Upon return to Armenia he
became a presidential adviser in 2009.