On October 5 debates, interrupted the previous day, on Convention against corruption, signed on October 31 2003 in New York, continued during the NA sitting. Mr. Viktor Dallakyan, Mr. Tatul Manaseryan, Mr. Arshak Sadoyan presented their view on the Convention. Presenting the view of the United Labour Party (ULP) faction, Mr. Gurgen Arsenyan, the head of faction, considered necessary the ratification of the Convention. Mr. Grigor Haroutyounyan, secretary of the Ardarutun/Justice faction presented the view of the faction. He emphasized the importance of the ratification of the Convention, noting that it would be better to ratify the Convention earlier, in 2003 when it was signed.

Then the conventions on Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions were presented to the MPs.

Ms. Hripsime Avetisyan, MP of the ULP faction, presented the legislative initiative of the faction on Making Amendments and Addenda to the RA Code on Administrative Offences.

The other issue of the agenda concerned the tax sphere: the package on Making Amendments and Addenda to the RA Law on Taxes and on other four laws.

Mr. Gagik Minasyan, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Financial-Credit, Budgetary and Economic Affairs, presented the endorsement of the Committee related to the draft laws.

Mr. Armen Alaverdyan, Deputy Head of State Tax Service, presented the draft law on Suspension of the Cash Registers Users’ Activities for the first reading.

Mr. Gagik Minasyan mentioned in his accompanying report that the draft law aims to exceed the indicators of tax collection.

The draft law on Making Amendments to the RA Code on Administrative Offences, which presented Gevorg Danielyan, RA Deputy Prosecutor General, debated in the procedure of the first reading.

Mr. Aramayis Grigoryan, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Defence, National Security and Internal Affairs, informed in his accompanying report that the Government accepted the Committee members’ proposals. The conclusion of the Committee was positive.

Mr. Rafik Petrosyan, co-author of the draft law on MP’s Pension Provision and Social Protection of His/Her Family, presented it.

Presenting the endorsement of the draft law of the Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Health Care and Environment, Mr. Samvel Shahgaldyan, member of the Committee, noted that the presented draft law did not contradict the pension reforms implemented in the republic and the principles of social justice.

Mr. Aghvan Vardanyan, Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, presented the negative conclusion of the Government, related to the draft law. The Minister informed that the Government put into circulation the draft law on Civil Servants’ Pension Provision, which solves not only the MPs’ problems of pension, but also those who occupy political and discrete posts. The Minister proposed the authors to postpone or remove from the agenda the draft law.

For and against opinions, related to the draft law, were sounded. In the MP Mr. Grigor Ghonjeyan’s opinion, the MP’s salary increases not through high salary or pension but through the increase of his/her role and importance in the society. Highlighting the importance of the MP’s freedom, the MP Mr. Arshak Sadoyan observed it as an opportunity to be guided by conscience and convictions. Mr. Tatul Manaseryan believes that it is necessary to enshrine by the law the MPs’ social protection and pension provision. The MP Gurgen Arsenyan was against the draft law.

Highlighting the necessity of the adoption of the draft law, Mr. Grigor Haroutyounyan, Secretary of Ardarutun/Justice faction, presented the opinion of the faction.

Gegham Gharibjanyan, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, presented 2005-2009 Action Plan of the Cooperation Program between the Republic of Armenia and the United Nations Development Program signed on February 24, 2005. The Deputy Minister noted that the plan of activities envisages to secure an appreciable progress of Armenia in the issues of guaranteeing bases of economic growth, which has a stable social orientation, as well as boosting transparent and productive management institutions and ensuring an efficient management of natural resources. The United Nations Development Program will invest 25.272.000 USD to implement the action plan, and the Government of Armenia will have its participation in investing at least 2.500.000 USD.

The draft laws and international treaties, debated during the sitting, will be put for voting at the next NA four-day sittings.