Senate Appropriations Committee to provide $40 mln in economic support to ArmeniaSeptember 27, 2011 - 21:23 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Last week, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved its version of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 State, Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill, which outlined U.S. funding and policy priorities abroad, including Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, reported the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly). Overall, the Bill provides $626.7 million in assistance for the countries of Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia (AEECA), which is $69 million below the FY 2011 level. While the Bill does not contain any "congressionally-directed spending items or 'earmarks,'" the report language recommends funding for Armenia "consistent with the budget request." The Administration requested $40 million in economic assistance to Armenia for FY 2012. The Senate Committee vote mirrors the action in the House State, Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, which called for $40 million in economic support to Armenia. The Senate Bill also states "That funds made available for the Southern Caucasus region may be used for confidence-building measures and other activities in furtherance of the peaceful resolution of conflicts, including in Nagorno-Karabakh," while the report language states that "The committee supports humanitarian assistance for victims of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and urges a peaceful resolution of the conflict." The next step would be for the House and Senate to complete action on their respective bills. However, with the new fiscal year beginning on October 1st, Congress must pass a short-term continuing resolution before turning its attention back to the FY 2012 appropriations bills. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Your home is in Armenia – Ameriabank offers mortgage loans for the Diaspora To buy real estate, Diasporans can apply to Ameriabank online to buy, renovate or build a home anywhere in Armenia. Armenia-Qatar ties discussed in Doha The Secretary of Armenia’s Security Council met with the Deputy Secretary General of the National Security Council of Qatar. ARARAT special evening dedicated to Aznavour's 100th Anniv. On May 20 ARARAT legendary Armenian brandy, celebrated the centennial of Maestro Charles Aznavour with a special event. Surveying works underway in Armenia’s Kirants Surveying works are underway in the Armenian village of Kirants in the northern Tavush province. |