A regular Cabinet meeting took place today, chaired by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

The Government approved the drafts laws on amendments and additions to the “Law of the Republic of Armenia on Activity Implementation Notification" and on amendments and additions to the “Law on State Duties". The adoption of drafts is conditioned by the necessity to reduce and simplifiy administration, to support businessmen engaged in a number of types of activities subject to notification defined by the "Activity Implementation Notification" law, to contribute to the development of the given sectors, to make the given sectors more attractive from the point of view of the business and investment environment․ In particular, the notification requirement is abolished for the production of beer, production of apple, other berry wines and other alcoholic beverages derived from honey, liquors, other beverages containing up to 9% alcohol, sale and import of bottled brandy over 100 liters, and other types of activities. In a separate point, the state duty on the export of bottled brandy is abolished. The Prime Minister emphasized the adoption of bills and the solution of existing problems in the sector.

The Government approved the draft law on amendments and additions to the “Law on Education". According to this, art and sports school teachers and coaches will also be given the opportunity to receive a bonus through voluntary certification in Armenia.

Referring to the decision, Nikol Pashinyan noted that the problem is that it is necessary to ensure equal access to education in the country. The Prime Minister also instructed to start work on creating art and law enforcment high schools in the Republic of Armenia.

During today’s Cabinet meeting, the process of pension and benefit refund in case of non-cash transactions. The Prime Minister noted that the process of introducing the system is progressing successfully. The Prime Minister emphasized the need to consistently continue the policy of reducing cash circulation and instructed to exclude the circulation of cash in any state institution.

The Government approved the proposal to sign the agreement between the Republic of Armenia and Georgia “On mutual visa-free travel for citizens of the two states". According to the substantiation, the citizens of the two states will acquire the right to visit each other's territories with identification cards.

Nikol Pashinyan highlighted the decision in terms of facilitating mutual visits. "Of course, this is a very important decision, but there will also be certain related risks, for the management of which I think we have no limitations to work effectively with our Georgian partners and we will work in that direction. By the way, I would like to note with pleasure that we are waiting for the Georgian delegation headed by Prime Minister Garibashvili. The regular session of the Armenian-Georgian intergovernmental commission will take place in Yerevan, and in the sidelines of that session, we hope to sign this agreement today. Accordingly, the citizens of Armenia and Georgia can use only an identification card when crossing the border and will not need a passport. Of course, those citizens who do not have an identification card will need a passport."