Government amends 2022 state budget draft

During parliamentary deliberations on the budget, Finance Minister Tigran Khachatryan told legislators that the administration changed the draft state budget for 2022, and the deficit was reduced by 12 million euros.

"The updated plan calls for revenue of 3.495 billion euros, spending of 3.920 billion euros, and a deficit of 423 million euros," he stated.

The recalculation of foreign currency spending, dram quantities of revenue, and funding sources by the November 1 exchange rate is one of the causes for the modifications.

The Armenian Parliament also adopted the draft state budget for 2022.

The proposal received 61 votes in favour, 19 votes against, and one abstention.

For 2022, the budget draft predicts 7% GDP growth.

Changes in Armenian State Control Service

By the decision of the Prime Minister of Armenia, Tigran Ulikhanyan has been relieved of the post of the head of State Control Service.

Ulikhanyan was appointed as head of State Control Service on January 15, 2021.

By the decision of Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, Romanos Petrosyan has been appointed Chairman of the State Control Service, the PM’s decision is published in e-gov.am website.

The Governor of Gegharkunik and the Russian Ambassador spoke about the region's socioeconomic progress

Karen Sargsyan, Governor of Gegharkunik Province, and Sergei Kopyrkin, Russian Ambassador to Armenia, met to discuss the region's socio-economic development, according to the Governor's Office.

During the discussion, Sargsyan discussed the activities of Russian firms in the province, his scheduled working travel to Russia's Omsk oblast, the state, possibilities of inter-regional cooperation, and the province's present border situation.

Armenian and Lithuanian defence ministers sign 2022 strategic cooperation agreements

Planning consultations for Armenian-Lithuanian bilateral cooperation were held at the administrative complex of Armenia's Ministry of Defence, with participation from Levon Ayvazyan, Head of Armenia's General Department of Defence Policy and International Cooperation, and Andrius Purvaneckas, Head of the Ministry of National Defence’s International Relations and Operations Department.

According to the Armenian Ministry of Defence, during the meetings, regional security and international events, as well as problems of collaboration between the Armenian and Lithuanian Ministries of Defence, were discussed. Levon Ayvazyan gave an overview of the situation on Armenia's borders and approaches in the hopes of reducing tensions.

The meeting's participants summarised the work done in the previous years in the context of bilateral cooperation. The bilateral defence cooperation program of Armenia and Lithuania for 2022 was signed based on the agreements made during the consultation, and it allows for the implementation of 71 events in Armenia and Lithuania. The activities revolve around the sharing of mutually beneficial experience, staff readiness, military medical, and military-political counselling.

Separatist Karabakh’s president hails "record" birth rates, which are approaching pre-war levels

In November, 178 infants were born in the Karabakh, which de-facto President Arayik Harutyunyan termed as a "record" amount when compared to prior months.

“In this stage of overcoming the great post-war difficulties, I’d like to address another important event: In November, 178 births were recorded in Nagorno-Karabakh. Compared to the previous months this is a record number and the closest to the pre-war figures. The true guarantee for our successes is demographic growth,” the de-facto president said in a statement, adding that his government will spare no effort to encourage population growth.

“I wish carefree childhood to all our children, and may the newborns become the symbol of our homeland’s eternity and peace,” he added.

External problems are discussed by President Sarkissian and the leadership of the "Republic" party

According to the Presidential Office, President Armen Sarkissian continues to interact with extra-parliamentary political forces.

Aram Sargsyan, the head of the Republic Party, was greeted by the President.

During the meeting, they addressed home difficulties as well as exterior challenges, as well as solutions to these problems. Aram Sargsyan briefed the President with his political party's positions and methods.