Spanish govt. to unveil new raft of austerity measuresSeptember 27, 2012 - 19:59 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Spanish government is due to unveil a new raft of austerity measures amid mounting concerns over the country's economic future, Belfast Telegraph said. Many think the grim measures, which are expected to include higher taxes and changes to pensions, will be a precursor to a request for help from the European Central Bank. Recession-hit Spain has come under pressure to tap an ECB bond-buying programme, designed to keep a lid on the country's borrowing costs. So far the government has been reluctant to ask for help for fear of the conditions attached. Many investors think the measures, to emerge alongside a draft 2013 budget, will pre-empt those conditions, making it easier for the government to request help. The package comes in the wake of a violent protest in Madrid and big falls in Spanish stocks. Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Azerbaijan must respect human rights, Scholz tells Aliyev German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for greater respect for human rights in Azerbaijan. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. |