Tourism is one of priority sectors of Armenian economy. That’s why it is not surprisingly, that development of the sector and the growth of tourists flows were reflected in pre-election programme of “My step” Alliance, which received the support of the majority of Armenian citizens in the 2018, as well as in the "Program of the Government of the Republic of Armenia" adopted on February 8, 2019. 

This study presents the promises made by the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the political majority in the tourism development, analyses the steps taken by the Government for the implementation of that promises in period 2018-2019, as well as the possible impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the sector. Full material is only available in Armenian.

In the present analysis, given the data published by the Statistical Committee of the RA, we study the recent social-economic developments in the economy of the RA. In particular, we consider the cumulative indicator of economic activity of the given month, its sectoral distribution, as well as the dynamics of individual sectors of the economy. We also analyze economic developments in the foreign trade, labour market and fiscal system of the RA. In addition, some aspects of the financial system (inflation, deposits and loans), as well as the behaviour of the exchange rate, are touched upon. Full material is only available in Armenian.

The spread of the new coronavirus has forced to reveal and implement alternative mechanisms in order to insure, on the one hand, the sustainable functioning of state institutions, the provision of public services and, on the other hand, to prevent the spread of the disease and ensure public health and safety. The effective provision of public services should comprise also the sphere of justice because a person, his dignity and rights are at the center of the modern legal state. The state is obliged to provide appropriate organizational mechanisms and procedures guaranteeing the exercise of fundamental human rights. This study examines the measures taken in different countries to prevent the spread of the coronavirus infection, including the fields of criminal, civil law and procedure, e-justice, as well as penitentiary law. Based on a comparative analysis of the measures taken in Armenia and abroad additional measures to prevent the consequences of the infection for the justice field are proposed. Full material is only available in Armenian.

The supplement to the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia, which envisages liability for making public calls to exert violence, for publicly justifying violence or for advocating such violence (hate speech) entered into force on 16 May of 2020. “Luys” foundation has conducted a research on the legitimacy of the criminalization of the hate speech in the context of freedom of expression and proportionality of its restriction. The research addresses also the relevant international documents on restricting the hate speech, as well as examines the practice of the European Court of Human Rights and the experience of other countries. Full material is only available in Armenian.

This article attempts to analyze the technology of dramatization of the political process with the participation of the main characters of political symbolism. The article presents the phenomenon of political carnival with all the features of behavioral and imaginative dimensions. The main purpose and function of the carnival is to make masses to do necessary actions having an illusion of independent behavior. The article studies theatralization of politics according to the game theory logic. Full material is only available in Armenian.

On March 31, 2020, in an extraordinary sitting, the National Assembly adopted the laws of the Republic of Armenia “On amending the law of the Republic of Armenia “On the legal regime of a state of emergency” and “On amending the law of the Republic of Armenia “On electronic communication” which allow to record the location and phone calls of citizens on the basis of information provided by mobile operators during the state of emergency declared because of the epidemic. The Human rights defender, a number of other human rights’ activists have expressed their concern about the mentioned draft laws. We conducted a study of international experience on this issue, which highlights the approaches of international organizations and shows that legislative changes in Armenia provide for excessive interference with the rights to protection of personal data and privacy. Full material is only available in Armenian.

In the present analysis, given the data published by the Statistical Committee of the RA, we study the recent social-economic developments in the economy of the RA. In particular, we consider the cumulative indicator of economic activity of the given month, its sectoral distribution, as well as the dynamics of individual sectors of the economy. We also analyze economic developments in the foreign trade, labour market and fiscal system of the RA. In addition, some aspects of the financial system (inflation, deposits and loans), as well as the behaviour of the exchange rate, are touched upon. Full material is only available in Armenian.

On March 18, 2020, the European Union published a document entitled "Eastern Partnership policy beyond 2020", which outlines the new, long-term EU policy for the EaP program after 2020 and sets out the measures under this policy. On March 16, the “Luys” Foundation published an analysis entitled "The prospects for the EU Eastern Partnership program and Armenia", trying to outline the main projects on the future of the Eastern Partnership discussed by Europeans. The document, published on March 18, already clarifies some of the key EU policy approaches to the program. With this analysis, we have attempted to explore the document presented by the EU and understand what the EU's policy towards the EaP project will be after 2020. We presented the main ideas and priorities outlined in the document, and then tried to figure out by which model the EaP program will eventually move forward.

The budget execution report of Yerevan represents the main results – achievements and failures - of activities of the city council in the given period. It shows by how much the actual revenue collection deviates from the planned level. Additionally, the report demonstrates whether the expenditures were made in accordance with the prespecified plan. The budget execution report of Yerevan also characterizes the structure of actual revenues and expenditures. The goal of the present analysis is to study the foregoing report and to make necessary conclusions. Full material is only available in Armenian.

The study of indicators and indices published by international organizations allows to address two important problems. First, to assess the performance of the RA in the given period with the help of comprehensive numerical measures, as well as to make intertemporal comparisons in order to understand whether the country moves in the desirable direction. Second, to compare the performance of the RA with other countries to ascertain Armenia’s relative position in the region and Eurasian Economic Union. These results are important, since they help to derive the comprehensive assessment of the economic situation, which is needed both for the public and the private sector. The present analysis is aimed at addressing the foregoing problems. Full material is only available in Armenian.