This is a phenomenon that must be fought against: Papikyan

The conscription continues to remain one of the challenges our country and state must face, and we must speak out about it. This was stated by the Minister of Defense of Armenia, Suren Papikyan, during the National Assembly's discussion of the draft state budget for 2025 on November 13.

“There is a phenomenon where an Armenian citizen renounces their child's Armenian citizenship so that they do not have to serve in the armed forces. I believe we must undergo a certain lustration based on this circumstance and I have primarily appealed to the Prime Minister of Armenia to initiate such a process within the state governance system. In my opinion, state officials should not allow not only their children but also those of their close circle and relatives to renounce Armenian citizenship. This phenomenon exists, and we can record disturbing statistics, but we must confront ourselves on a moral basis, and ultimately put an end to this rather negative trend for me.

This phenomenon is not new. I do not know how many years it has a history and depth, but this is a phenomenon that must be fought against,” he said.