Armenia’s acting government led by newly appointed Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan participated in a question hour in Armenia’s Parliament on Wednesday.
“We can observe great interest in the newly appointed premier, and none of us is informed of his program,” said Lyudmila Harutyunyan, an MP of the Armenian National Congress (ANC) party.
She inquired about the premier’s priority steps, his intention to continue his predecessor’s policy of combating corruption, monopolies and so on. Ms Harutyunyan also inquired about the new premier’s personnel policy.
Mr Karapetyan reminded the MP of his two-stage program.
“The first stage does not envisage rapid reforms because we can implement them in the near future. And the second stage requires time for us to decide on the course our country will follow. As to expectations about ensuring rapid economic reforms, I would like to say they will not come true. But we are going to give signals for the economic course,” Mr Karapetyan said.
The government will address the previous programs, and develop Armenia’s economy to create the best conditions to create surplus value.
“This is a general formula, but, all ratings considered, happy and prosperous states are the ones where a businessman feels well and is capable of creating surplus value – the oil and gas rich countries are not among them,” Mr Karapetyan said.
With respect to his personnel policy, Armenia’s new premier said that professionals will be prioritized.
“If I say no rapid changes should be expected, it does not mean no steps will be taken. We intend to take specific steps to reduce social tension, ensure business development. But we should realize that there is no magic wand. If we want economic changes, we need system changes. I am honestly telling you that our economic situation is extremely grave,” Mr Karapetyan said.
