Armenia’s newly appointed Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan, at a meeting with reporters in Armenia’s Parliament, stated his intention to combat corruption and monopolies.

In response to Tert.am’s question as to the causes of his quitting the post of Yerevan mayor and being appointed as Armenia’s premier in the context of his own statement that he would not be Armenia’s premier, Mr Karapetyan said:

“I left because of personal problems, but conditions are different now.”

Mr Karapetyan explained that he made the aforementioned statement in 2013.

As to what has changed, he said he is very concerned over Armenia’s economy.

Asked about his plans to revive Armenia’s economy and about programs, the premier said that all the programs are part of his two-stage program.

Mr Karapetyan told reporters that some of the acting government members will not continue working in Armenia’s new government. However he refused to name them.

Asked about his plans to combat corruption and about possible new rules of the game, Mr Karapetyan said:

“Yes, equal rules will be in effect. Approach to monopolies will be as follows: the country being small implies each sector will always have a major actor. Another problem is whether this particular economic entity is progressing in fair completion. Equal conditions will be created. We are not going to take away anyone’s successful business.”

Armenia’s premier admits that wrong rules have been in effect in the country.

As to his opinion of Armenia’s ex-premier Hovik Abrahamyan’s activities, Mr Karapetyan said that Mr Abrahamyan shouldered the responsibility when the country was in a rather grave situation.

Mr Karapetyan does not share the opinions that the Abrahamyan-led cabinet failed to effectively combat corruption.

The premier also pointed out objective and subjective causes of a grave economic situation in Armenia.

Source: tert.am