I have said very specifically that certain circles in Russia are, yes, attempting trying to destabilize the situation in Armenia. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Thursday stated this at a press briefing following the Cabinet meeting of the Armenian government, in response to Armenian News-NEWS.am's question about whom the premier is referring to when he speaks about the intention to destabilize the situation in Armenia, and why he doesn't mention it directly, although his accusations were entirely directed at Russia.
“So who were making posts on Facebook in 2023, calling on the people of Armenia to take to the streets and remove the ‘anti-national’ authorities? Who was doing that?” Pashinyan asked.
Separately, regarding the possible 70 percent increase in the price of Russian natural gas in Armenia and the fact that the Central Bank governor has stated that this will be apocalyptic for the country’s economy, the prime minister said: “There will be no apocalypse in Armenia’s economy. Those who are still talking about the apocalypse do not understand economy. I am saying directly, because they were promising an apocalypse in 2018, in 2019, in 2020, in 21, in 22, in 23, in 24, in 25, in 26. What happened to Armenia’s economy during that time? Armenia’s economy has grown and will continue to grow.”
“I constantly ask the question. I say, we must ask ourselves: how is it that [natural] gas in neighboring Turkey is three to four times more expensive, whereas tomatoes grown there are cheaper than tomatoes grown in Armenia? Should we ask these questions to ourselves or not? Armenia’s economy must develop and be competitive. The Central Bank is an independent body, it can say whatever it wants. I am stating the [Armenian] government’s position,” the prime minister added.