Finance Minister on Pension Increases

During a joint session of the National Assembly committees, Finance Minister Vahe Hovhannisyan addressed the opposition's criticisms regarding pension increases, stating that such a move at this stage could have negative consequences.

"If we raise pensions today to match the food basket level, it will lead to instability in the financial environment. As a result, the same pensioners will have a worse standard of living than they do today," the minister said.

According to him, the government has ensured the promised economic growth in recent years, and the national debt has been reduced to less than 60 percent, reaching around 50 percent. Hovhannisyan emphasized that significant progress has also been made in the social sector, but any decision must be based on the principle of maintaining financial stability.