The regular Cabinet meeting took place today, chaired by Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan.

The Government approved the 2021-2026 program of activities. According to Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan, the program, consisting of 439 main goals and 1276 events, is based on the Government's commitments, including the pre-election program and campaign promises made during the "Civil Contract"Pparty's election campaign of the June 20, 2021 extraordinary parliamentary elections, as well as on the targets of the Transformation Strategy of Armenia for the period until 2050. Mher Grigoryan singled out the UN - Armenia Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2021-2025, the International Monetary Fund's memorandum on "Economic and Financial Policies" for 2019-2021, the World Bank's Country Partnership Framework for 2019-2023, the Asian Development Bank's Country Partnership Strategy for 2019-2023, Country Partnership Strategy of European Bank for Reconstruction and Development for 2019-2024. “I would like to emphasize that the program should become the main working plan of the Government, and the indicative funding for the measures should be a guide for the planning of the upcoming medium-term expenditure programs and the annual budgets. The draft program of activities was developed on the basis of the recommendations of state bodies, passed several rounds of comprehensive and detailed discussions”, Mher Grigoryan said.

By the decision of the Government, 462,256.1 thousand AMD will be allocated to the Governorates of Aragatsotn, Gegharkunik, Lori and Shirak for providing subsidies to the communities of the Republic of Armenia in addition to the subsidies already envisaged by the state budget. According to the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Gnel Sanosyan, the funding will be allocated for the implementation of 4 programs in 4 communities. Nikol Pashinyan emphasized the implementation of subsidy programs, reminding that in 2021 subsidy programs amounting nearly 47 billion drams are being implemented jointly with the communities. “Since 2018, we have implemented subsidy programs amounting nearly 80 billion AMD. It is noteworthy that in addition to working jointly with communities, the Government has also made direct investments in communities and implemented community programs. We have summarized the data: since 2018, about 86 billion AMD have been allocated to communities through direct programs alone. For example, schools in many cities are now being rebuilt and renovated outside of subsidy programs. This is very important and, in fact, it turns out that since 2018 we have invested about $ 400 million in communities through subsidies and direct investments. In the draft budget, we have stated that the volume of those investments must also increase significantly. This is a very strong assertion. We have implemented programs in the fields of road construction, school construction, education, we have implemented various programs for the restoration and repair of water infrastructure”, the Head of the Government said.

At today's Cabinet meeting, reference was made to the process of construction of alternative roads in Syunik Province. Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Gnel Sanosyan provided detailed information on the work being carried out. Prime Minister Pashinyan noted that in all these directions it is necessary to have earth roads as soon as possible, where all types of vehicles in all seasons will be able to drive. It was recorded that there is no settlement where there is a livelihood issue or it is completely cut off or under siege. The Head of the Government also informed that in connection with the fact that the road has temporarily become longer, the residents of 6 villages and their families have been provided with gasoline and money for fuel. “We have also provided additional assistance to compensate for the temporary logistical difficulties as much as possible, so that our compatriots do not face additional complications. The working group dealing with Syunik issues has made relevant decisions, and this morning I was reported that all 250 families in the 6 villages have been provided with appropriate assistance.”

The Government made a decision to ensure the provision of extra-pay to teachers who have passed voluntary certification. Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Vahram Dumanyan noted that works are already underway for organizing the certefication process of teachers in 2022. “Next year, teachers teaching in grades 5-12 in all subjects can participate in the process. We expect that more than 5,000 teachers will receive extra-pay based on the results of the next year. The 2022 state budget envisages 1.3 billion AMD for that purpose”, the Minister said, adding that this year 77 million AMD will be allocated for the extra-pay of the teachers who have passed volunatry certification.