Day: May 4, 2024

PARIS — France’s world-leading cosmetics sector is counting on talks between Xi Jinping and Emmanuel Macron next week to help minimize the impact on French companies of tough new Chinese import rules requiring the sharing of formulas and manufacturing know-how. 

President Xi’s first visit to Europe in five years comes amid a backdrop of tense trade relations, with the European Union threatening China’s electric vehicle and green energy industries with tariffs. 

But progress toward an agreement between France and China on the regulation of cosmetics, including lipstick and fragrances, could be a bright spot in discussions in Paris next week. 

President Macron’s office said ahead of the meeting that cosmetics would be a topic of “great attention,” and that they sought to “find a solution that also protects the interests of our companies.” 

France is the world’s leading cosmetics exporter, shipping nearly 2 billion euros ($2.15 billion) worth of makeup and skin care products to China last year, second in importance only to aerospace products. 

New Chinese safety rules due to come into effect next year threaten that trade. 

From May 2025, cosmetics exporters will be required to share detailed information on their manufacturing processes with Beijing and receive Chinese inspectors in their factories, a measure that raises concerns about losing control of intellectual property. 

Under a plan proposed in talks between the two sides in the past year, French authorities would take responsibility for assuring the safety of some of its exports without the need for Chinese inspections. 

France would grant some similar measures to China, but it was not clear what areas those would cover. 

“This reciprocity will assure the highest standards of safety to Chinese consumers,” said Emmanuel Guichard, secretary general of France’s cosmetics industry association FEBEA, adding that the plan could be formalized during talks between Xi and Macron. 

FEBEA’s members include L’Oreal, LVMH and Coty. 

Under the agreement, France’s consumer and anti-fraud watchdog DGCCRF would ensure the safety of a number of French manufacturers that qualify for “white list” status. 

The agency said in a report issued Friday on its recent activities that it held its first meeting on certification of French cosmetics for export to China with China’s National Medical Products Administration, or NMPA, in December. 

The Elysee did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 

The DGCCRF did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The NMPA could not be reached for comment on a holiday weekend. Sunday is Labor Day in China, recognized as a national holiday. 

Today marks 30 years since Azerbaijan became a #NATO partner: Colomina  1lurer.am

US Lawmaker Cuellar Charged With “Bribery, Unlawful Foreign Influence” In Azerbaijan, Mexican Bank  News18

Rep. Cuellar accused of taking bribes from Azerbaijan, Mexican bank  The Spokesman Review

Georgian President, EU ambassadors discuss European integration, protest rallies against controversial transparency bill  Agenda.ge

The volume of industrial goods exports in Uzbekistan amounted to $1.02 billion from January through March 2024, Azernews reports.

Mini football tournament dedicated to the 101st anniversary of the birth of National Leader of Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev is being held between the main departments and departments of the Defense Ministry under the plan approved by the First Deputy Minister of Defense – Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, Azernews reports.

At least 42 people, mostly children, have died following an outbreak of measles in a northeastern Nigerian state, an official said Friday, Azernews reports.

Assistance for Armenian school teachers

The Armenian government is launching a program to support school teachers who were dismissed for failing certification exams. They will receive assistance in obtaining university education or completing courses to adequately prepare themselves. Only those who obtain a higher education degree or pass certification exams will be eligible to return to work.

In 2024, the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports plans to cover the tuition costs for specialized courses for 500 teachers willing to participate in certification exams. Additionally, tuition fees will be reimbursed for 159 teachers who wish to pursue undergraduate education.

This year, the government will allocate 12 million drams (approximately $31,250) for professional development courses. In 2024 and subsequent years, around two million dollars will be allocated to compensate tuition fees for those pursuing higher education. This includes full-time education over four years and part-time education over five years.

Interested individuals must submit their university admission applications within the next three months. Upon admission, they will be reimbursed for the first semester’s tuition fees.

“Starting from the second semester, a minimum grade threshold will be established, meaning academic performance will be taken into account for those receiving tuition fee compensation,” explained education minister Zhanna Andreasyan.

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Teachers had 12 years to rectify the situation

According to Zhanna Andreasyan, back in 2011, amendments to the Education Law stipulated that the minimum educational requirement for teachers should be a university degree.

“The transitional provisions of these amendments stated that teachers working in schools who did not meet the requirements of the law could continue their professional activities until August 20, 2018. This deadline was then extended again until August 20, 2023. So, teachers had about 12 years to comply with the law,” she said.

According to amendments made to the Education Law in 2021, “an educator of an educational institution may be a person who has obtained the appropriate pedagogical qualification (bachelor’s, master’s degree, or specialist diploma), or has a higher education and at least five years of teaching experience in the last ten years.“

As of 2023, over 1,300 school teachers lacked a higher education degree

To address this issue, the government implemented a mechanism of voluntary certification. Initially introduced as a pilot program in 2021, certification later became an annual event. Amendments to the Education Law were made again last year.

Teachers without a higher education degree were given the opportunity to participate in voluntary certification and continue working in schools if they achieved passing scores.

“Last year, 894 teachers without a higher education degree opted for voluntary certification. Of these, 354 successfully passed and continued teaching, with some even receiving salary increases. The rest, according to legal requirements, lost the opportunity to teach,” the minister explained.

600-700 vacancies annually

For those who have lost their jobs, there are currently two options to return to school: either obtain a higher education degree or undergo voluntary certification.

According to the minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports, educators are interested in these opportunities, but they simply need state support. Specifically, it will be difficult for them to afford tuition at higher education institutions or courses organized for certification preparation.

“According to preliminary estimates, more than 150 people have expressed a desire to pursue higher education, while around 500 are willing to participate in professional development courses,” said Zhanna Andreasyan.

The government hopes that the implementation of the support program will enable experienced teachers who are dedicated to their profession to return to school. The state is ready to support their professional growth, especially considering the shortage of staff in schools.

The task of filling 600-700 teaching positions per year is either proving difficult or cannot be solved entirely, particularly in both rural and urban schools.

Assistance for Armenian school teachers