Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan Makes a Statement

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan participated in a roundtable discussion titled "Armenia's Science in the Global Research Landscape: Competitiveness, Scientific Excellence, and the Application of Scientific Results in the Economy" at the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia.

"I believe that discussions around programs are necessary but not sufficient, as there should be a regular exchange of ideas regarding the current state and developments in the sector," the Prime Minister stated, adding that this would also contribute to refining those ideas.

The country’s leader noted that compared to 2017, the funding for science had increased by approximately 2.8 times—by 185 percent—by 2025, and there had been a significant increase in salaries in the scientific sector, with some reaching as high as 300 percent.

"First, our thinking and cognitive language must change, and in this regard, I must confess that my ears prick up when it is said that the Government supports science. A kind of distance is being created between the Government and science. We do not support science; the development of science is our political goal. In other words, we do not see a state, a government, and a separate entity called science that we need to support. The development of science is our policy, and it has very concrete and palpable reasons. We cannot imagine the development of the state without the development of science. On the other hand, we cannot imagine the development of science without the development of education. However, I also want to say that when we refer to the development of the state, we primarily mean the development of the economy," emphasized the country’s leader, adding that science and the scientific community should have a greater volume and presence in policy-making.

According to the Prime Minister, science is an economy because effective management of science, proper allocation of resources for science, and perceiving science as an economy is a very important tool that resolves numerous issues. Nikol Pashinyan emphasized that the development of science is crucial for not only preserving our identity but also for developing it further and understanding ourselves better.

The Prime Minister stated that one of our greatest challenges is to bridge all localized sectors and understand that we are dealing with a cycle, as there is no separate community in the Republic of Armenia; there is no separate village, nor a separate sector. "We cannot imagine science as a separate sector, let alone separate fields within science. It is very important that we unite our sectors and our country around a common goal. That goal is the Republic of Armenia and the development of our state. However, as I have had the opportunity to share our visions, the state is both a goal and a means. It is a goal by virtue of its existence, and it is a means because the state is the only tool that will secure the best conditions for preserving and developing our identity, as well as for ensuring our security, freedom, well-being, and happiness," he stated.

In conclusion, Nikol Pashinyan noted, "Of course, citizens of the Republic of Armenia must love their state, and this is a very important and crucial factor. On the other hand, the Republic of Armenia must love its citizens—those engaged in all professions, including scientific activities. And the policies we pursue are our expression of love, the expression of the Republic of Armenia’s love for all people involved in science."