ArmInfo. The government of Armenia today has an unprecedented level of legitimacy and this public trust is highly binding, but at the same time inspires bold reforms. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said this on April 30 at the opening of the enlarged meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council.
According to the Prime Minister, it is a great honor for Armenia, in 2019, which presides over the union's bodies, including the intergovernmental council, to receive the leaders of the countries of the integration union. "As I have often said, participation in the Eurasian Integration Union is a priority for our government," he said. Armenia, as noted Pashinyan, is committed to cooperation and effective functioning of the integration space. "Today, discussions in a narrow format took place in an open and trusting atmosphere," he said.
Nikol Pashinyan reminded his colleagues from the EAEU that at this stage cardinal reforms are being implemented in Armenia, affecting almost all aspects of society, whose ultimate goal is to create a competitive and technologically developed economy and modern society based on modern principles of equality, justice and the rule of law. In this direction, according to him, the authorities are fighting corruption, steps are being taken to strengthen the judiciary. The government was able to minimize the activities of artificial monopolies and oligopolies. "Today in Armenia no one can manipulate his levers of influence to achieve economic goals," he said. This, according to the head of the Armenian Cabinet, will lead to the improvement of the entire economy and political life in the republic.
In addition, as the head of the RA government pointed out, effective measures were taken to reduce the shadow economy. The authorities are reforming the system of taxation and tax administration. The government has also initiated the process of optimizing the state apparatus. "These steps are aimed at increasing the efficiency of the government's activities and creating the necessary conditions for the free realization of the creative, intellectual and business potential of the republic's citizens and creating a favorable environment for attracting investments," said Pashinyan. Today, according to Pashinyan, Armenia is a dynamically developing country characterized by political stability and predictability, and the parliamentary form of government is aimed at increasing the accountability of the Cabinet and the transparency of its activities. There is a more effective functioning of the system of checks and balances, he said.
Today, as Pashinyan noted, there has been a steady increase in Armenia's commodity turnover with the EEU countries. The proportion of the EAEU countries in Armenia's exports in 2018 reached 28.5%, exports to the countries of the Union grew by 20%, and trade turnover by more than 11%. "During its chairmanship, Armenia will make every effort to strengthen the positive dynamics of integration and search for ways and mechanisms of cooperation," he said.
According to him, it is necessary to intensify efforts aimed at the earliest possible resolution of the issue of pricing for energy resources on a non-discriminatory basis and their transit through the territory of the Union members, including taking into account transit components. As noted by the Prime Minister, the implementation of the EEU digital agenda, the development of a digital trading ecosystem, the diversification of foreign economic activity of the Union, and transport infrastructure are of particular interest. It is also important to improve the regulatory framework for regulating the rights of workers of the EAEU member states.