Hovik Abrahamyan’s Full Statement at the Government’s Session
In May 2014 presenting the Government’s program in the National Assembly I clearly emphasized my belief in listening to public concerns and the partnership. During my entire political career I have fought against political barriers working towards the establishment of cooperation bridges.
The Government under my supervision has always been open for the discussion of any dialogue and sound idea. We have made huge efforts for building a dialogue with all sectors of the society. A scientist, land worker, artist, trader, ally or opposition, builder or a citizen affected by construction frauds, I have meet all of them, honestly presented the existing restrictions and gave realistic solutions to concrete issues.
Our honest and realistic approaches achieved their results, but the public still remained polarized. In my opinion, one of the main reasons of that are the existing disagreements fed with geopolitical, foreign economic and military challenges. Those are that still do not provide us an opportunity to unite our forces to give urgent solutions to the most important issues starting from providing equal economic conditions up to fight against corruption.
Despite our 25-year-old proud independence formed through daily work and unwavering courage of soldier standing in the border, we are still a country of transition issues where we need the united efforts of the public and the Government to improve the existing economic and social situation. And new approaches, new beginning are needed for that.
That’s why I have decided to resign and give a chance to the President of the Republic to form a new Government. We must think about everyone’s success and give a chance to the new Government to unite the society through new approaches and the work done.
And the works are actually carried out. I have never spoken and will never speak about the existing situation when I was appointed Prime Minister. It is not my work style. But I will openly speak about the Government’s achievements reached through our joint work.
The works on agricultural irrigation systems were significantly intensified, the reservoirs construction works were launched. The four reservoirs predetermined by the Government’s program have concrete sources of funding and are at different stages of implementation.
All infrastructural projects intensifying the regional integration with Iran and Georgia, providing great potential have been restored and significantly accelerated.
The membership to the Eurasian Economic Union provided an opportunity to our businessmen to reduce foreign trade transaction costs and mitigate 2015 regional economic shocks.
Extensive work has been carried out for the restoration of the rights of citizens who for a long time didn’t have residence due to the failure of certain builders in Yerevan and support to them. Due to solving their issues “Old Yerevan” project became viable which will launch soon.
After the adoption of the Law on “State Support to the Information Technology Sector”, which came into force in January 2015, 125 startup companies were established. Moreover, the number of companies in this sector is gradually increasing.
In the budget field, despite the intensifying fiscal pressures, starting from 2014 the salaries were increased by over 40 billion AMD. Despite the 2015 significant external economic shock, 3% economic growth has been recorded. In JanuaryJune 2016 the economic activity rose by 4.8%.
I want to stress the importance of the fight against corruption. It is necessary to carry out consistent and comprehensive works on the fight against corruption. By cooperating with the civil society, the Government prepared a number of legislative initiatives for the fight against corruption. To implement this legislative package we are planning to convene National Assembly extraordinary session in October. I think this package will be one of the best tools through which the new Government can start to unite our polarized society.
Concluding my speech, I want to thank you all for the joint work and inform that as an active participant in the political life I will continue my mission of overcoming the existing barriers in the public”
