The Armenian government is set to determine the future of the $500,000 Zayed Prize awarded to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. JAMNEWS reports this from Yerevan. Pashinyan’s prize money, received as part of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, will be transferred to the state budget.
Pashinyan and the President of Azerbaijan jointly received the $1 million prize. Under Armenian law, officials must transfer gifts exceeding 60,000 drams ($160) to the state. This regulation applies to gifts and souvenirs obtained during official trips, business ventures, or events from foreign entities.
The Corruption Prevention Commission has classified the cash prize as a gift received by Pashinyan during his official duties. Following registration, the funds will be transferred to the State Property Management Committee. A local television channel inquired about the prize’s destination, stating that the matter is currently undergoing procedures aligned with Armenian government decree No.
956 of June 20, 2024. The decree governs the management of state-owned gifts. The authorities plan to establish an extra-budgetary deposit account at the finance ministry’s treasury to manage the prize funds, subsequently allocating them to cover government-approved expenditures.
This “mechanism will ensure transparency in the management of the funds.”
Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Aliyev received the Zayed Prize for Peace Efforts, a significant development. Pashinyan previously stated he hadn’t yet decided how to utilize the funds, though he indicated a potential revision of his plans. He had initially considered public purposes and needs for the funds, promising an announcement upon a concrete decision.
The award symbolizes support for peace from both Muslim and Christian communities, aiming to strengthen regional peace. Pashinyan emphasized that the award signifies the closure of the conflict chapter, highlighting the importance of continued peace efforts. The prime minister’s stance on constitutional amendments remains an “internal matter.”
Topics: #pashinyan #prize #armenian
The Armenian government will decide whether to retain the $500,000 Zayed Prize given to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. This information comes from a report out of Yerevan, as detailed by JAMNEWS. The