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ARMENIAN MEDIA MONITORING No. 3 | 1-15 March 2016 As part of our research and analysis, the Regional Studies Center (RSC) has initiated a new “Armenian Media Monitoring” effort, focusing on political and economic developments and based on a daily survey of Armenian print and electronic media outlets. The RSC offers a summary compilation of the most significant articles, translated into English and produced every two weeks. POLITICS NEW ENERGY MINISTER 1 March 2016 President Sargsyan appointed Levon Yolyan as the new minister of Energy and Natural Resources, replacing Yervand Zakharyan, who retired from government service on 29 February. Yolyan is a nonpartisan politician, and served as the deputy chairman of the Audit Chamber and Vice President of the Armenian Chess Federation. www.azatutyun.am/archive/news/20160229/2031/203 1.html?id=27581297 www.aravot.am/2016/02/29/662532/ EU’s MOGHERINI VISITS ARMENIA 1 March 2016 The High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and VicePresident of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini, visited Armenia and met separately with President Serzh Sargsyan, Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, MPs, and representatives of the country’s political forces and civil society. http://news.am/arm/news/314495.html http://armenpress.am/arm/news/837947/em-nsatarum-e-eahk-minski-khmbin-federika-mogerininverahastatel.html NEW ELECTORAL CODE OF ARMENIA 3 March 2016 The Armenian government approved the new draft of the Electoral Code and noted the need to make changes in series of laws and regulations. The Chief of Staff of the Government Minister Davit Harutyunyan stated that according to the new constitution, the final approval of the Electoral Code would be completed by June 1. Interestingly, the Venice Commission published the full text of the Electoral Code draft, in English, days before the Armenian government released the official version. www.tert.am/am/news/2016/03/03/gov/1951153 www.venice.coe.int/webforms/documents/?pdf=CDL -REF(2016)018-e NEW HEAD OF STATE REVENUE COMMITTEE (SRC) 3 March 2016 President Sargsyan signed a decree to relieve Havhannes Hovsepyan of his duties as Head of the Presidential Oversight Service, Department of Public Relations and Mass Media of the President’s Office informs. By another decree of President Sargsyan, Hovhannes Hovsepyan was appointed the Head of State Revenue Committee of Armenia. http://news.am/arm/news/314859.html http://168.am/2016/03/03/604176.html NEW DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER NAMED 4 March 2016 President Sargsyan appointed Robert Harutyunyan as a new deputy foreign Minister. He was a former member of the Board of Eurasian Economic Commission. The new Deputy FM is the son of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) faction MP Khosrov Harutyunyan. www.aravot.am/2016/03/04/664337/ RSC Armenian Media Monitoring No. 3 | 1-15 March 2016 ARMENIAN PRESIDENT VISITS RUSSIA 10 March 2016 Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan met in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin and discussed cooperation between the two countries, including the integration processes in the frameworks of the Eurasian Economic Union, and “exchanged ideas on regional conflicts and challenges.” http://news.am/arm/news/316100.html www.aravot.am/2016/03/10/665962/ EXPERIMENTAL CARGO CONTAINNERS WILL BE SENT FROM IRAN TO EUROPE VIA ARMENIA 12 March 2016 Armenian and Iranian freight forwarders will experimentally send two cargo containers from Iran to Europe in the near future. This trial delivery is designed to test conditions for Iranian and Armenian cargo shipments that can be transported from Iran to Europe via Armenia in the fastest and most beneficial way. http://news.am/eng/news/316493.html ECONOMICS NEW BUDGET AIRLINE IN ARMENIA 3 March 2016 A new Armenian airline, “Armenia,” will conduct regular flights to Europe, CIS countries and some parts of Asia, at prices starting from $49. The first flight will be carried out on a Boeing 737-700 in mid-April. The 350-member airline staff is set to include several employees of the Georgian air company Airzena, while the remaining personnel will be comprised of local experts. The newly created company will use aircraft currently in service by the Georgian carrier. www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/207326/ WORLD BANK FORECASTS 2.5 % GDP GROWTH FOR ARMENIA 7 March 2016 The World Bank released an updated forecast for Armenia predicting 2.5 percent GDP growth for 2016. The slowdown in GDP growth was attributed to Russia’s economic decline and deteriorating external conditions, which were also responsible for Armenia’s 3 percent growth last year. The World Bank also noted that the budget deficit (4% of GDP) is mainly covered through external debt. Earlier this year, the Armenian Central Bank lowered the refinancing rate to 10.25 percent. http://armenpress.am/eng/news/838574/hamashkharh ayin-bankn-ays-tari-hh-hna-i-25--atch-ekankhatesum.html The Regional Studies Center (RSC) is an independent think tank engaged in a wide range of strategic analysis and research, developing policy initiatives aimed at bolstering political and economic reform and conflict resolution in the broader South Caucasus region. As a leading think tank based in Armenia, the RSC strives to elevate the level of political discourse and deepen civic activism while broadening engagement in the public policy process. One of our core longer-term goals is to serve as a catalyst for reform and sustainable development by contributing to the formulation of public policy through innovative research and objective analysis. Regional Studies Center (RSC) Yerevan, Armenia www.regional-studies.org NET INFLOWS OF ARMENIAN REMITTANCES DOWN BY 23% 9 March 2016 According to the Armenian Central bank, net inflows of foreign remittances by individuals and legal entities and received by individuals via Armenian commercial banks were down by 23 percent compared to the same period last year. The figures noted that remittances totaled only $165 million for January-February 2016, compared to $159.7 million for the same period in 2015. http://armenpress.am/arm/news/838408/ Regional Studies Center (RSC) 2