Category: 2018

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan commented on the possibility to decrease gas and electricity tariffs.

During the parliamentary debate of the government’s program on June 7, in response to Tsarukyan faction MP Vardan Bostanjyan’s question, the PM said there is a problem with the gas and electricity tariffs, and they are dealing with that.

“During the meeting with the Russian President we highly appreciated the fact that Russia supplies gas to Armenia at a very affordable price. But I stated that the Armenian citizen attaches importance to the fact on what price he/she consumes the gas in his/her house, rather than with what price Russia supplies gas to Armenia. Today the citizen of Armenia doesn’t feel that he/she consumes Russia’s cheap gas, and I think here there can be some ineffective management, even up to corruption risks. And I think the Russian leadership understands that we should seriously deal with these issues and understand what is taking place”, the Armenian PM said.

Commenting on the question regarding the electricity tariff, the PM said here also there are problems, and the government is dealing with them. “I just don’t want to make an early statement, but I assure you that we are seriously dealing with these issues and we hope to reach concrete results on this matter”, Nikol Pashinyan said.

The Armenian side attaches importance to the status and security of the Artsakh people in the settlement process of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Foreign minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan said during a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on June 7.

He said during the meeting with FM Lavrov they discussed a number of issues of international and regional agenda. “A special attention was paid on the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. We highly appreciate Russia’s contribution with the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs aimed at settling the conflict exclusively through peaceful means. We are ready to continue the joint efforts directed for the progress of the negotiation process. At this stage we work on the continuation of the negotiation process”, the FM said, adding that the Armenian side attaches importance to the status and security of the people of Artsakh. “The negotiations are directed for solving these issues”, the FM said.

FM Mnatsakanyan said during the meeting with Lavrov it was stated that the Armenian side is inclined to develop the multilateral partnership.

“During the meeting I highlighted the importance Armenia attaches to the strategic partnership with Russia. We plan to continue that partnership later based on the principles that exist in the 1997 Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance”, the FM said.

Zohrab Mnatsakanyan said the mutual ties between the two peoples have been as example of constant friendship, mutual understanding, sincere respect and mutual assistance.

“The intensity and depth in our relations really oblige to make new efforts to ensure their continuation”, the Armenian FM said.

He added that the sides plan to further deepen and expand the close cooperation in all spheres, including within the CSTO and the EAEU. “These plans have already been announced during the Sochi meeting of the Armenian Prime Minister and the Russian President. We are happy that the dynamics of these meetings is being maintained, we expect new meetings in the nearest future”, he said.

The minister also thanked Sergey Lavrov for the warm reception and constructive dialogue and stated: “We look forward to see you in Yerevan”.

Defense minister of Armenia Davit Tonoyan assures that the Armed Forces will stay out of any political processes.

Commenting on the reporters’ remarks according to which the government’s program includes a provision relating to depoliticization of the Armed Forces, the minister said he will unconditionally implement what is reflected in the program. “The Armed Forces will be out of any political processes”, he said.

Asked whether previously the Armed Forces have been involved in the political processes, the minister said: “If now this issue is being raised, it means that there have been some problems. There have been cases when reporters recorded some violations, problems have always existed, and we reacted to them. But I, as a defense minister, will work to rule out their repetition”.

On June 7 the Parliament is debating the government’s program.

Armenian Prime Minster Nikol Pashinyan commented on the criticisms according to which there is no clarity in the government’s program, it is not clearly stated what economic growth is expected and to what extent the poverty will decline.

The PM told reporters in the Parliament that at the moment the government’s task is to assess the shadow volumes of the country’s economy. “This is very important issue. Now, for instance, who can say how many percent shadow our economy has? The government previously estimated it 22%, the international organizations assess it 46% and so on. I want to draw your attention on the fact that the numbers fixed in the previous government’s programs have not become a reality as a rule. We are going not to write numbers, but to make major changes in the country. And these changes will lead to results”, the PM said.

In response to the question that if today the government’s program is approved, the next mechanism is going to be his resignation for the snap elections, when to expect his resignation, PM Pashinyan said: “Within a year”.