Rethinking: Armenian PM calls for “speedy” reforms in wake of Karabakh hostilities

Armenian Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan has urged his Cabinet members to engage with the opposition and other “capable” forces to find solutions to expedite reforms in various sectors of political and public life in the country.

In his opening remarks at today’s government session Abrahamyan, in particular, said that the four-day war with Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh “has made us all rethink our work and once again remember the February 12 speech of the President of the Republic.”

“Are we developing, are we fighting corruption, do we have a combat-ready army? The answer is yes. But is all this sufficient for us to withstand new challenges? I think I will express everyone’s opinion if I say no,” the premier said.

“We should become a more efficient state, doubling, tripling our efforts. Our resources are indeed limited, but I strongly believe that the shortage of resources can be offset by two factors – the application of efficient models and speed in their realization.”

Abrahamyan reminded about his initiative on starting a series of discussions with the involvement of lawmakers, including opposition members of the National Assembly, as well as other “capable forces of society”.

“And the matter concerns not only discussions. Solutions, decisions that we will arrive at should be realized as soon as possible. And issues that are going to become subject to discussion are numerous. Among them are those that concern economic development, fight against vicious phenomena in the health and education sectors, and numerous other issues,” said Abrahamyan, drawing his Cabinet’s attention also to “noteworthy researches” on ways of Armenia’s development in the Diaspora.

Abrahamyan said the first such weekly discussion is scheduled to take place as early as on May 14.