Armenia Research Articles

THE KEY DIRECTIONS FOR IMPROVING THE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT OF THE TAX SYSTEM IN THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA

The transition to market relations involves addressing numerous challenges, and resolving these challenges is essential for creating the necessary preconditions for the further development of the market economy in the Republic of Armenia (RA). This includes the implementation of radical transformations in the country's financial, monetary, banking, fiscal, social, structural, and other systems. During the reforms of the financial system in the Republic of Armenia, special attention has been given to the creation and ongoing improvement of an effective tax system. In this regard, the RA State Revenue Committee, as the tax authority, has served as a state government body responsible for tax administration for more than 30 years. Over this period, it has accumulated significant experience and, in line with contemporary developments, has implemented various infrastructures and information systems. According to the author, the financial management of the RA tax system falls within the general theory of management, and the functions of financial management, such as financial planning, analysis, forecasting, and control, are adequately reflected in this context. The article emphasizes the conceptual foundations of program budgeting and accounting, which ensure a practical, close connection between the financial management of the RA tax system and accounting, budgeting, and the financial flows of the tax system and their related transactions. This connection leads to the effective management of the assets and liabilities of the RA tax system.

On the Legal System of the First Republic of Armenia (1918–1920)

Abstract This article examines the development of the judicial and legal systems in the First Republic of Armenia (1918–1920), highlighting key reforms and challenges. It explores the establishment of various courts, including conciliation, district, and appellate courts, as well as the introduction of a jury court and notarial activities. Despite progressive reforms aimed at democratizing the legal system, such as the creation of jury courts and the regulation of investigatory bodies, widespread malfeasance plagued state administration. Efforts to combat corruption through the establishment of the Extraordinary Investigative Commission and Extraordinary Court proved ineffective, leading to their abolition in 1920. The article also discusses the failure to adopt a constitution, largely due to the republic’s short-lived existence and unresolved political crises. This research draws on primary sources including materials from the National Archives of the Republic of Armenia, parliamentary and government session minutes from 1918–1920, official records, statistical data, periodicals, and contemporary writings.

Economic-ecological assessment of multi-crop small-scale model farms in the Republic of Armenia (piloting results from Gegharqunik region)

Background: Biogenic elements such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) are major pollutants of Lake Sevan's water, causing eutrophication and deterioration of water quality. Untreated wastewater, sewage, agriculture, fish farming, and other activities are significant sources of these pollutants. Vegetable cultivation, heavily reliant on mineral fertilizers and chemicals, and livestock breeding contribute substantially to nitrogen pollution in the lake. However, improved vegetable growing practices, including small-scale agriculture using organic fertilizers, natural soil improvers, and eco-friendly bio-liquids as growth stimulants, can enhance the socio-economic conditions for farmers in the Lake Sevan basin. These practices promote environmentally friendly, water-saving land-use methods, reducing nitrogen leaching into the lake. Objective: This study aims to demonstrate the socio-economic and environmental benefits of applying innovative agro-technology to small-scale farming in the Lake Sevan watershed (Gegharkunik region). Specifically, the study objectives are to determine the quality characteristics of crops grown in small-scale farms and compare these quality indicators between yields obtained through the proposed technology and traditional cultivation methods. Methods: Field trials of multi-crop systems were conducted on 0.25 ha land plots in four variations across four different locations in the Lake Sevan watershed. The trials were evaluated for various parameters. Nitrate content, dry matter, starch, vitamin C, and sugar levels were determined in potatoes, cabbage, broccoli, beets, and green beans, while fat content was measured in green beans and green peas. Results: Economic efficiency calculations revealed that utilizing the proposed innovative agro-technology in a multi-crop small-scale farm (0.25 ha) yielded a 20-25% increase compared to traditional cultivation with synthetic fertilizers, accompanied by notable environmental benefits. Conclusions: The study demonstrates that small-scale agricultural practices employing the proposed agro-technology have significant socioeconomic and environmental impacts on local farmers. Keywords: Cultivation of non-traditional crops, organic farming, small-scale farming, activities, economic and ecological evaluation, and food quality characteristics.

AIR QUALITY IN YEREVAN IN THE CONTEXT OF CLIMATE CHANGE

Over the past five years, the atmospheric air quality in Yerevan has continued to deteriorate, primarily attributed to a significant increase in airborne dust, particularly during the hot summer months that coincide with the peak tourist season. This phenomenon reflects a complex interplay among atmospheric emissions, air quality, emission source altitudes, changes in chemical composition, solar radiation, weather patterns, and topographic conditions. Sources of dust pollution in Yerevan include industrial activities, vehicular emissions, road dust, and construction activities. Data from various administrative districts indicate that, over the past five years, concentrations of dust, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide frequently exceed established standards. Additionally, there are unregulated static sources of dust pollution within the city. This study conducts a comparative analysis of the primary pollutants in the context of climate change and urbanization in Yerevan over the last five years. It also assesses green areas and evaluates the effectiveness of greening initiatives, while considering compliance with national legislation in the Republic of Armenia.

Priorities of Political Communication in Armenia’s Internal Politics

Currently, the effective use of political communication to confront internal threats to national security is an important issue in the Republic of Armenia (RA). Among the internal threats, the author singled out the absence of a stable civil society, the non-establishment of the multi-party system, the neglect of the feedback mechanism in the state’s political communication, etc. In particular, the following are the main reasons for the weakness of the multi-party system in RA:  weak connection with voters, being active only during election periods,  unclear ideological orientation,  personnel policy, the weak structure of internal democracy and autonomy.  not sufficient representation in all provinces  non-transparency of political and financial activities,  weak control over the activity of parties.

Traditional vegetarian food products in villages of Syunik, Armenia: Technogenic contamination risks assessment

Background: For generations, vegetarian food products have been fundamental to the diets of rural Armenian communities. However, villages situated near territories near mines face severe chemical contamination of soil, air and water. This poses a significant problem in Syunik Region, Republic of Armenia (RA), where metal mines have operated for over 50 years. Notably, this region is one of Armenia’s most important agrarian areas ensuring food production for the entire country. Therefore, assessing potential chemical contamination risks in food products from this region is crucial. Objectives: This article assesses the risks associated with chemical contamination of traditional vegetarian food products commonly consumed in the villages of Artsvanik, Sevaqar, and Chapni in Syunik region of Republic of Armenia (RA). Specifically, this region has hosted both a thriving mining industry and agriculture for over 50 years. Results: According to the results obtained, there was no significant increase in the concentrations of most studied metals in the plant samples. Conclusions: Concentrations of most studied metals remained unchanged. However, copper (Cu) and molybdenum (Mo) levels were elevated in nettle samples. Long-term consumption of nettle-based foods, from this region may pose health risks. In contrast, consuming other plants is considered lower risk. Nevertheless, to minimize health risks ongoing monitoring of Cu and Mo concentration in this area is essential. Keywords: heavy metals, vegetarian food, Phaseolus vulgaris, Urtica dioica, Malus domestica, Solanum tuberosum.

Heatwave Intensifications in Armenia: Evidence From Temporal and Spatial Analysis of Observational Data Over the Last Decades

ABSTRACTIncreasing temperatures cause the weather to become more severe. Studying how heatwaves (HWs) impact individual heat exposure and susceptibility is vital for building climate change mitigation and adaptation measures. So, this study explores the impact of HWs on individual heat exposure and susceptibility. The assessment was based on the highly complex topographic region contribution to HWs in the Republic of Armenia (RA) using data from 16 meteorological stations for the extended warm season (May–September). We developed a regional HW catchment program to estimate the HW indices' responses to climatic change and to present them in terms of topography changes. The Mann–Kendall (MK) test was used to determine the statistical significance of the trends for 10 distinct HW indicators using linear and exponential trends along with graphical interpretations. This study reveals a large‐scale, significant increasing trend in annual maximum temperatures (Tmax) and observed HWs over the period 1955–2019. The rising temperature is accompanied by an increase in HW indices, particularly at low altitudes up to 1250 m above sea level (ASL), where the main population centres and national crop production are concentrated. According to our classification, the above‐mentioned areas have faced extreme and severe increases in HW intensity, covering more than 60% of the country's territory. Moreover, not only the intensity and frequency have been identified but the HW period extension as well. This extreme increase has been found in the low‐lying highly populated and intensively cultivated areas, such as in the Ararat valley. These results have implications for future climate assessments, adaptation strategies, agriculture and public health in Armenia. The development of targeted mitigation measures and adaptation strategies informed by these findings is essential for addressing the escalating challenges posed by HWs in the region.

Sports Development Management in the Republic of Armenia: The Structure and Statistics

Sports is one of the many branches of the national economic complex and represents a complex and unique socio-economic system, the activity of which is characterized by multifaceted social and state relations. It should be considered that the management structure of any socio-economic sector of the state is largely determined first by the state policy, the very structure of the state. It should be organically integrated into the sports movement management system. The state body responsible for the development of sports in Republic of Armenia (RA) is the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports (MESCS), which is entrusted with the functions of implementing state policy and legal regulation, as well as providing support to sports organizations and sports federations. The main goal of its activity is the formation of a positive attitude of society, the state and the entire nation towards sports as an effective means of maintaining and strengthening human health, an integral part of universal culture, and as a factor, especially in the physical and moral education of children and young people. The Ministry carries out the functions of state policy and legal regulation in physical culture, sports and youth issues and the processes of developing and implementing them. Along with that, public sports organizations in the form of NAOC of Armenia and national sports federations and units play an important role in the development of sports in the republic. Funding for mass sports and high-performance sports is increasing year by year in Armenia, which is aimed at increasing the number of events, as well as increasing the number of incentives for the achievements of people who do sports and high-level athletes.

Сравнительно-правовое исследование конституционных экологических прав в Республике Армения и Республике Азербайджан: проблемы правового регулирования

The article is devoted to the study of constitutional environmental rights in the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan. The author focuses on the fact that in Armenia, constitutional norms do not formally enshrine constitutional environmental rights, which reflects the novelty of the study. In the Republic of Azerbaijan, constitutional environmental rights are reflected in domestic legislation, but they have their own individual features that distinguish them from other CIS member states. In the domestic legislation of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the legislator reflects only the category of damage.Harm that can also be caused to a citizen as a subject of law is not reflected in the laws of Azerbaijan.In our opinion, this fact indicates a lack of legal regulation. In the Republic of Armenia, constitutional environmental rights are not formally reflected in constitutional norms, but they are reflected in the norms of the fundamentals of legislation on environmental protection. At the same time, the constitutional norms of Armenia stipulate that laws must comply with constitutional laws. In this regard, we consider it necessary to enshrine in the constitutional norms of Armenia the classical triad of constitutional environmental rights reflected in the domestic legislation of this state.

Life-sustaining transboundary survival: rethinking Armenian struggles for heritage

ABSTRACT In September 2020, the ‘frozen conflict’ between the Republics of Armenia and Azerbaijan over the region of Nagorno-Karabakh erupted into full combat when Azerbaijan invaded Armenian towns in Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions. In this war, Armenia lost control over parts of Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions that it had gained in the early 1990s before a ceasefire agreement in 1994. Most importantly, thousands of young people lost their lives. In September 2023, following a nine-month blockade of the region, Azerbaijan invaded and took over, leading to the exodus of the remaining 100,000 Armenians of the region. In this speculative article-provocation, examining heritage discourses popular in Armenia and the Armenian Diaspora, we argue that what counts as heritage in the context of present political claims regarding land, territoriality, and culture insists on what we call national survival that necessitates restrictive lives (especially for women) as well as death (for soldiers). We, thus, ponder the possibility of what we call life-sustaining transboundary survival by imagining a different relation to heritage, drawing on shared inheritance of interconnected culture, knowledge, and water.

Civil Society in Providing the Development of Democracy in the Countries of the Eurasian Economic Union

This study aims to explore the influence of civil society on the level of democracy in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and propose mechanisms to enhance civil society formation for strengthening democratic processes. A comprehensive review of scholarly literature on civil society and its relationship with democratic development was conducted, alongside an analysis of the unique characteristics of EAEU member countries. Comparative assessments were made to determine the extent of civil society development, as measured by the Civil Society Participation Index, and the characteristics of democratic procedures, as measured by the Democracy Index. The findings indicate a link between civil society strength and democratic advancement. Specifically, countries with robust civil societies, such as the Republic of Armenia and the Kyrgyz Republic, demonstrate higher levels of democratic development. This underscores civil society’s role as a catalyst for political and social transformations and state-building processes.

Regulating advanced biomedical technologies: A modern criminal law perspective

This study explores the urgent need for criminal law to address the advancements in biomedical technologies, particularly focusing on cloning. It highlights the dichotomy between the potential therapeutic benefits of cloning technologies, such as combating hereditary diseases, and their possible misuse. The paper discusses international legal frameworks and declarations, such as the United Nations Declaration on Human Cloning and the Council of Europe Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine, which seek to navigate the ethical and legal challenges of cloning. The distinction between therapeutic and reproductive cloning is emphasized, with therapeutic cloning offering significant medical advancements raising profound ethical concerns, particularly regarding the moral status of the embryo. The paper critiques the current legislative landscape in the Republic of Armenia, which it finds insufficient in addressing the complexities introduced by these technologies, suggesting a need for comprehensive legal reform to safeguard human dignity and genetic integrity within the context of modern medicine.

Evaluation of the Epidemic Situation of Anthrax in Armenia Over the Last Decade.

Anthrax is a World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)-listed disease that must be reported upon confirmation based on the Terrestrial Animal Health Code. Anthrax poses a serious health issue for unvaccinated livestock, is a threat to humans through interaction with contaminated livestock and animal products and is endemic in many areas throughout the world, including the Transcaucasian Region. Despite several control and eradication efforts that have been implemented by the government of the Republic of Armenia (RA), sporadic cases of anthrax are still reported. We sought to understand the epidemic situation of anthrax in RA during the last 10 years (2012-2023) based on analysis of outbreaks and reported cases in cattle and humans. We collected and evaluated officially reported data from human and animal cases, such as time, location, animal species, disease intensity and spread radius. The data and various parameters were mapped using ArcGIS to prepare a viable risk assessment. Based on the officially available data and reports, there have been 80 human cases and 55 animal cases of anthrax confirmed in RA from 2012 to 2023. We also identified the presence of anthrax spores in soil and environmental samples near animal burial sites in RA in 2015-2017 through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. Upon comparing the human and animal cases by frequency and intensity, the human cases are directly proportional to the animal husbandry practices performed in RA. The detection of the anthrax pathogen at the burial sites highlights the continued threat in these areas. Thus, it is imperative to secure and monitor any areas that have been used for anthrax burial and limit the movement of animals in these areas. In the future, legislation should be updated to prioritise incineration of anthrax-infected carcasses instead of burial to limit further exposure to animals and humans.

The Second Karabakh War and the Dynamics of Relations Between the Republic of Armenia and the Russian Federation

The article examines the dynamics of development of relations between Armenia and Russia after the Second Karabakh War. Armenian-Russian relations are considered in the context of a comparative analysis of regional processes. In the context of the cooling of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Russia managed to implement a key policy of containment, as well as maneuver between Azerbaijan and Armenia. However, this policy became ineffective when Turkey actively intervened in the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. The article analyzes the factors that negatively influenced the revision of Russian foreign policy to the detriment of Armenia. The article substantiates the hypothesis that Russia was able to stop military operations in the Second Karabakh war in time to prevent the strengthening of Turkish influence in Azerbaijan. From the point of view of Russian interests, the most effective way to solve this problem was to deepen relations with Azerbaijan through a strategic alliance at the expense of Armenia.

THE PROVISION OF SAFE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT IN PUBLIC SCHOOL

In the modern world, and especially in the Republic of Armenia, radical socio-political, socio-economic changes affect the socio-cultural conditions of human life, complicating the process of formation and development of an individual. For human livelihood, development and manifestation, it is necessary to provide all security bases: physical, psychological and social. The existence of the problem of life safety is recognized all over the world and the key role in ensuring personal safety belongs to education. The purpose of the article is to identify the problem of ensuring a safe educational environment in public school. Studying the educational environment, awareness of the safety of the educational environment arising from the fundamental rights of a student and teacher in a public school, ensuring its conditions, assessing the comfort and developmental significance of this environment provide an opportunity to obtain objective information about the educational institution and undertake work that will help to improve the quality of education in the case of quickly and efficiently created pedagogical conditions and professional supportive activities.

Տնտեսական աճի ներառականությանը միտված հարկաբյուջետային քաղաքականության միջազգային փորձ / International experience with fiscal policies for inclusive economic growth

The challenge for macroeconomic policy is to integrate policies that support economic growth and create and expand equal opportunities to participate in and benefit from the economy. This includes policies to improve the functioning of labour markets, reduce discrimination, support equal access to education and skills, and increase economic and financial inclusion in all parts of society. The idea of inclusive economic development has been introduced into academic discourse in recent decades and has become one of the main guidelines for economic policy makers and implementers in many countries around the world. The policy of formation and redistribution of public revenues through the state budget is important from the point of view of overcoming the existing inequalities in society and solving the problems of inclusiveness. Therefore, it is important to activate public policy with fiscal policy instruments, to increase its effectiveness in the context of ensuring inclusiveness of economic growth, mitigating inequality in the distribution of income and national wealth. This article studies and interprets the international experience and specific features of the application of fiscal policy oriented to the inclusiveness of economic growth, which is especially important from the point of view of identifying opportunities for its localisation in the Republic of Armenia. The conclusions drawn can be useful in the development of solutions aimed at increasing the inclusiveness of fiscal policy in the Republic of Armenia.

Необходимость пересмотра численности сотрудников региональных администраций в условиях укрупнения общин в РА / The need to review the number of employees of regional administrations in the context of the consolidation of communities in the RA

In recent years, administrative-territorial reforms and processes of community consolidation have been actively organized in the Republic of Armenia, which has led to a reduction in the number of communities. In such conditions, it became necessary to discuss issues of optimizing the number of regional government bodies. The article discussed the need to review the number of employees of regional administrations in connection with a significant reduction in the number of communities in the regions.

The ethnic conflict over Karabakh in the context of the activities of the military-political representations of the Great Britain in the Transcaucasia (1918-1920)

In 1918-20s the steps of military politics of Azerbaijani were directed towards the frustration of Armenian State system. With this intention, Andranik’s and Dro’s forces were taken out, with the help of British generals Thomson and Shutleworth. This allowed Azerbaijani families on the 21 of August in 1912 make the Armenian council In Karabagh temporarily obey Azerbaijani Government till the solution of this disputable issue by the French conference of allied union, which was one of the beforehand planned cunningsteps of Azerbaijani government. In reality, as a result t of later important military changes in the Republic of Armenia and as a result of mutually beneficial agreement between Russian and Kemal Turkey as well as taking into consideration the evident connivance of allied powers during 1920-23 Azerbaijani managed to capture not only Nachijevan, but Karabagh and other Armenian lands, as well, the struggle for which restarted in 1988-1990.

Celebrowanie świąt wśród polskiej społeczności w Armenii. Nośnik tożsamości, element promocji kultury czy substytut rozrywki w obcym otoczeniu etniczno-kulturowym?

From the historical perspective, Polish migration to Armenia intensified in the 19th century, when men were forcibly conscripted into the Tsar’s Army in the territory of the Russian partition. Since then, the dynamics of Polish mobility and its motivations have changed many times. As for the direction of the Caucasus, since the 1990s it has been closely associated with the population movement in the opposite direction, i.e., with the Armenian migration to Poland. However, we know relatively little on this subject, as most contemporary studies focus mainly on the analysis of historical processes, and the current migration movements are commonly referred to as “labor migration”. The following article is based on field research conducted by the author in 2015–2022. Their main axis was to learn about the ways of self-organization and functioning of the contemporary Polish community living in the Republic of Armenia. The article focuses on the description of individual phases of the annual rituals with which representatives of the Polish minority identify and the influence of Polish organizations on their celebration. The article covers both states, secular, and religious holidays. They create an interesting mosaic consisting of cultural and national identity, promotional and popularization elements, as well as the need for entertainment and social life in a local environment.

Institute Of Conditional Early Release In The Republic Of Armenia

The article refers to the analysis of the institution of parole from the further serving of the sentence of persons sentenced to a certain term or life imprisonment in the Republic of Armenia, in particular, the current and previous legislative regulations, the changes made, their comparison, the problems arising in practice, as well as the possible new legislative changes for their solution. In the article, an attempt was made to outline in the most accessible and accessible way possible the legislative regulations regarding early release from punishment, one of the fundamental rights of persons sentenced to life imprisonment or a certain period of imprisonment, which is an important and integral part of the penal legislation during the formation of the new legal system after the achievement of independence in the Republic of Armenia, because in practice the majority of complaints among convicts relate to the problems arising in the process of their parole. An analysis was made of both the previously existing legal regulations and the new legal regulations that came into force on July 1, 2022, and their differences were also analyzed. The article also describes the legal positions expressed in precedent decisions of the RA Court of Cassation regarding the parole of persons sentenced to life imprisonment or a certain period of imprisonment, as well as the international practice regarding it. The current legislative regulations in the Republic of Armenia were compared with the international practice. Accordingly, the Order 336-L of the RA Minister of Justice of June 12, 2018, which is a cornerstone in the process of parole for persons sentenced to life or a certain term of imprisonment, needs to be amended and amended in terms of assessing and summarizing the standards of convicts.