Government 2021-2026 In the report on the progress and results of the 2025 implementation of the activity plan, there are two more noteworthy and at the same time worrying records, which refer to the main key sectors of the export sector of the economy: industry and agriculture.

On page 22 of the report it is written: “In the January-December period of 2025, the volume of industrial output was about 3.3 trillion AMD, increasing by 329.4 billion AMD or 4.7% compared to about 3 trillion AMD in the same period of 2024.

… The number of workers in the manufacturing sector in 2025 was 94,998, an increase of 4,148 or 4.6% compared to 90,850 workers in 2024.”

Here again, the government has avoided answering the most important question: what is structurally happening to the sector, instead simply trying to create an imitation of positive dynamics. In particular, the key indicator, the weight of the manufacturing industry in the GDP, was bypassed in the report. Meanwhile, this is one of the main targets set by the government’s plan, namely to increase the weight of the manufacturing industry in the GDP to 15% by 2026. However, the actual picture shows the opposite. If the weight of the processing industry was 12.4% in 2020, it will decrease to 11% in 2025. In other words, not only is there no progress, but there has also been a regression. And, taking into account the current dynamics of the sector, expecting a sharp increase during 2026 is simply not realistic. This means that the 15% target set by the government program will most likely not be met.

This picture suggests that the “growth” presented in the industrial sector does not translate into structural change, the real role of the sector in the economy is decreasing. This is a simple indicator of the failure of economic policy.

The condition of the agricultural sector is equally, if not more, worrying. Despite a number of large-scale projects implemented by the government in the field of agriculture – establishment of new gardens, expansion of cultivated land, promotion of livestock breeding, increase of general productivity – the main emphasis in the report is not on results, but on processes. For example, it mentions the increase in hectares of established orchards, but does not say what this has done in terms of actual output.

Meanwhile, according to statistics, the picture is much clearer. 2018-2023 agriculture registered a cumulative decline of around 18.9%. Although in 2024-2025 there are some positive developments, they have not changed the general picture. As a result, in 2025 as of now, the output of the agricultural sector is still around 13.3% lower than in 2017. level (see diagram below).

Naturally, there is no emphasis on these facts in the report. Instead it states that “1,365 ha intensive park has been established. It is noteworthy that the actual planting of gardens within the framework of the program started in 2019: 37 hectares, compared to which the figure for 2025 has increased by about 37 times. In 2025, compared to 2024, the increase was 9.7%. From the start of the project, from 2018 to 2025 inclusive, 4,635 hectares of intensive gardens have been established.”

It turns out a strange situation. the sector has been in serious trouble for a long time, but unique successful projects are presented, only “convenient” numbers are raised: hectares, percentages, job growth, thereby trying to influence the formation of the general picture.

In summary, the economy faces structural problems, but the government presents to the public an image of a controlled and successful process. However, the longer the government hides the reality with formulations, the deeper the crisis that exists in reality will deepen. And the price for this will be paid not by the writers of the report, but by the economy, and ultimately every citizen of the country.

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In this article, we will look at the government’s 2021-2026. to another remarkable and at the same time problematic record in the report on the progress and results of the 2025 implementation of the activity plan. It refers to the following wording on page 8 of the report. “Within the economic and investment plan for 2021-2025 The sum of the actually implemented, as well as signed, approved and soon-to-be-launched projects amounted to around 900 million euros.։

At first glance, this can be perceived as a serious investment achievement. However, if we go a little deeper, the picture will be completely different. We are talking about the “Economic and Investment Plan” formed within the framework of cooperation with the EU, regarding which as early as 2021. the government announced about 2.6 billion euros of investments in Armenia. Now, according to that report, 900 million euros of that volume are already “in motion” in the form of a signed, approved, or in the beginning project. But there is an important subtlety here, which the report tried to hide as much as possible.

A significant part of that 900 million euros is not really an investment. we are only talking about the loan funds provided to the RA government. In other words, external financial resources that Armenia attracts within the framework of cooperation with the EU and is obliged to return in the future. In other words, what is presented as an “investment package” is mostly public debt.

This is not just a wording problem, but a substantive one. When a loan is presented as an investment, an artificial impression of “success” is created. Meanwhile, real investment implies risk-taking capital, private sector activity and long-term confidence in the country. The loan, on the other hand, is a liability that sooner or later must be repaid at the expense of RA citizens, “proud” taxpayers.

Moreover, if we talk about the investment environment, the picture here is more than worrying. Despite the official assurances that Armenia remains an attractive destination for investors, in reality, the opposite assessment is being heard more and more often by various international organizations and experts: high risks, unpredictable environment, weak institutions, self-righteousness by the ruling power. The investor is primarily looking for stability, predictability, protection of rights and clear rules of the game. However, the problems of property rights protection in Armenia, political or arbitrary interventions and lack of transparency of decisions have significantly undermined that trust.

When talking about the quality of the investment environment in Armenia, it is impossible not to mention a number of scandalous cases in recent years, which have caused additional doubt among investors. For example, the processes surrounding Armenia’s electric grids, which are accompanied by high political tensions and conflicting public assessments, show how quickly an unstable situation can develop around private property. In the same way, the questions and lack of transparency surrounding the activities of the ANIF Foundation undermined the trust in public-private cooperation. The fact that the Zangezur copper-molybdenum combine applied for international arbitration cannot be ignored. These examples create an environment where the investor not only calculates economic profitability, but also political risks, which remain high in Armenia.

The general picture is unequivocal: when the debt was presented as an investment in the most important state document, and the actual results were not compared with the own program targets, it is not just a mistake, it is a conscious manipulation. This is not a report, but a political text written in the language of “good numbers”. And no matter how much an attempt is made to package the reality, it is obvious that it is not about achievements, but about failed management, missed opportunities and yet another unfulfilled promises.

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On April 15, in the National Assembly, the government’s 2021-2026 on the progress and results of the project in 2025. During the discussion of the report, Nikol Pashinyan mentioned several things related to the army statement did, which we will look at separately. And so.

 The different numbers presented by the military academy cadets Pashinyan and Papikyan

Pashinyan said in the parliament. “Last year, the number of people admitted to the Vazgen Sargsyan Military Academy increased 2.7 times compared to 2018.” Then he continued.

“Nobody notices that in 2018 the Military Academy was on the verge of closing due to the lack of cadets, they don’t talk about it, they don’t talk about it. It has increased 2.7 times, and students receive a scholarship of 175,000 drams, moreover, when they graduate, they will be considered certified and have the opportunity to receive a salary of up to 750,000 drams as an officer. Starting from 2026, those admitted, graduates who have completed their service will receive an apartment.”

Here we consider it necessary to recall several episodes.

On April 17, 2025, Deputy Chairman of the Standing Committee on Defense and Security of the National Assembly, Armen Khachatryan, speaking about the changes recorded in the field of military education, made unacceptable statements in the parliament.

“Until 2021-2022, what was the military academy? It was some kind of institution between a colony and a military unit. There was almost no physical education chair, everything was destroyed inside, there were no normal lecture chairs. There was a year when the number of applicants to the academy was only 16 people, and under these conditions, did we want to have an army without basic education officers, without a military academy?” he said.

We not only argued we have responded to the claims and inadmissible wording of the former “Gaishnik”, but immediately, on April 19, 2025, we sent written requests to the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia with the following questions:

– Before the April war, starting from 2010, and during the period after, RA Defense Minister V. When was the highest and lowest number of applicants to the Sargsyan Military University recorded, specify the specific year, until 2018? the change of power.

– After 2018, RA Defense Minister V. When was the highest and lowest number of applicants to the Military University named after Sargsyan recorded, specify the specific year, including 2022?- Before the April war, starting from 2010, and during the period after, when was the highest and lowest number of applicants to the Military Aviation University named after Marshal Armenak Khanperyants recorded, specify the specific year, until 2018. the change of power.

– After 2018, when was the highest and lowest number of applicants to the Military Aviation University named after Marshal Armenak Khanperyants of the RA Ministry of Defense recorded, specify the specific year, including 2022?

– Please submit to RA Defense Minister V. The number of applicants to the Sargsyan Military Academy for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 academic years.

However, about 20 days later, in its reply, the RA Defense Department provided the information requested by us had refused provided by reference to the State Secret of the law to Article 29 (Service information of limited distribution), According to Article 8, Clause 1, Clause 1 of the RA Law “On Freedom of Information” and the Government of the Republic of Armenia dated 11.01.2024. to the requirements of paragraph 8 of the N5З-Н decision.

In other words, the government deputy publishes the number of applicants to the Military Academy, regardless of specifying a specific year, and when we try to find out when this happened, how valid this accusation is, the RA Ministry of Defense considers it not subject to publication.

Moreover, let’s note that, for example, for the 2006-2007 academic year, digital data related to 2016 and 2020 were published, so the question arises: why did the RA Ministry of Defense not want to show the digital data, especially when it is for the benefit of the current authorities and the Minister of Defense? After this, of course, we again tried to get digital data from the defense department, but to no avail.

And since already in April 2026, Nikol Pashinyan again raised the issue of the number of applicants to the Military Academy, this time we once again asked the structure headed by Suren Papikyan to provide already public digital data. Will they give it or will they avoid it again, even though they think the statistics are in their favor?

Note that in 2023 By the decision of the RA Government No. 914 A of June 8, the “Military University named after Vazgen Sargsyan” and the “Military Aviation University named after Marshal Armenak Khanperyants” were reorganized and the state institution of the Ministry of Defense “Military Academy named after Vazgen Sargsyan” was reorganized and created.

Therefore, taking this fact into account, and also if we accept that due to the small number of applicants, according to Pashinyan, the Military University was on the verge of closing in 2018, then under the conditions of the privileges granted in recent years, the Military University and the 2018 2025 A comparison of the number of applicants to the Military Academy and the claim that 2,7 even increased, is it a very significant figure?

Moreover, 5 months ago, on November 13, 2025, RA Defense Minister Suren Papikyan from the NA podium had announced. 

“The number of academy cadets increased by 26% compared to 2018. which proves that the attitude of our public towards military education and the attitude of our young people towards this profession has changed significantly.

Let’s admit that the numbers presented by Nikol Pashinyan and Suren Papikyan are different.

By the way, Pashinyan “taught” the generals in January this year had forgotten  that the Military University named after Vazgen Sargsyan has the status of an academy from June 2023, and that those studying in military institutions are not students, but cadets, there were no mistakes in this regard yesterday in the National Assembly. Positive record.

And we will wait for the response of RA Defense Minister Suren Papikyan and the structure he leads, to provide at least the number of cadets of the Military University in 2018 and 2025, and then the academy, and to confirm or deny whether it was on the verge of closure.

On May 28, Pashinyan will only give a pre-election report at Republic Square  

Yesterday, April 15, Nikol Pashinyan claimed in the National Assembly that they are on the way to a professional army, capable of retaining both conscript and non-conscript soldiers. And from this there is a transition to fortified regions.

“When we talk about additional six and six billion dollars, where is that money?” Go to fortified areas and see where the money is. Go to the fortified regions and see how the security and the comfortable and comfortable service of the soldier is. Fortified regions – we are asking the opposition, we are begging, we are saying: listen, come, we invite you, let’s go and look, let’s go and look, and you show me anything even close to 73 km, just show me one. Because they were allegedly opposing us, saying: our fortified regions… you did something with canned coconuts, your alternative was canned coconuts, they were upset here…” he stated, presenting some things done for the army as “aldage”, not as a duty and responsibility.

By the way, in 2022 we are in the positions of the Tavush sector we recorded “canserva coconuts” and a photo we took later Nikol Pashinyan’s Deputy Chief of Staff Taron Chakhoyan presented: as a photograph of former positions. Moreover, the representatives of the ruling power at the time they were mocking the presence of tires in positions, but even today you can see tires in positions.

Of course, no one ignores the works of furnishing the army positions engineering the solutions about which Suren Papikyan shared a video again the other day, but when you have lost a war, when you have had significant human and territorial losses during positional conflicts, and you constantly remember the “can-bottle” of the former, is it honest or correct? Maybe it was possible to do more in the past, but is it moral to make fun of former Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan, from whom, one month after the April 2016 war, he went to dig a ditch and received a certificate and a medal for it…

And at the end, Pashinyan couldn’t help but remember from the podium of the National Assembly the expected display of weapons on Republic Square on May 28, which we talked about much earlier. to report. 

“Well, what about the acquisition of weapons, which, yes, including due to a number of objective and subjective circumstances, was also acquired with funds from external sources. Do you remember that I constantly responded to those speculations about Armenia’s foreign debt, national debt, I am not talking about weapons now, because as they say, it is better to see once than to hear 100 times, and we, I want to emphasize again, we absolutely did not have such an intention, nor did we have such a desire, especially since there is a lot of secret information, that is, there are some things, one thing, all countries do, of course, and, one way or another, international what we have acquired has been circulated in the press, but in any case, we want to be accountable to our people for what weapons we have acquired in recent years. On May 28, on the occasion of the Republic Day, we will display in the Republic Square, by the way, only the weapons that we have acquired after 2022 and we just want to be accountable to our people, so that we can hope that the issues will be closed, and also produce them”, on April 15 in the National Assembly, the government’s 2021-2026 on the progress and results of the project in 2025. Pashinyan said during the discussion of the report, adding that on that day what needs to be covered will be covered.

In other words, this is not so much a demonstration of the army’s fighting ability, or, as they say, defensive ability, but a report for its own name. In other words, the hero of the day will not be the army, but Nikol Pashinyan and his government.

Let’s add that recently Suren Papikyan announced that during his tenure “5.4 times more was spent on armaments than during the years of the previous two presidents”.

Of course, any achievement related to the army is positive, but the combat capability of the army is not determined only by weapons, there are a number of components, including the number of personnel, the degree of its combat training, etc., not to mention that the state is judged by the results of the war.

And before this announcement, we sent a written request to the Minister of Defense to find out from which countries, apart from Russia, Armenia acquired weapons and military equipment before the 2018 revolution, and what exactly, and what percentage of the increase in the state debt goes to the purchase of new weapons, but Suren Papikyan had refused provide us with that information.

168.amthe wrote also that before the 44-day war, the former head of the RA Armed Forces General Directorate, Onik Gasparyan, presented an arms development project worth 8 billion dollars to Pashinyan, which, in fact, was not implemented, even if it was not rejected at the time.

It is interesting that Nikol Pashinyan and his government are somehow forgetting the period between 2018-2022, when in 2019 they were proud of the unprecedented acquisition of weapons at every opportunity. Shouldn’t there also be a report on expenses and war losses in this regard…

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