Responding to criticism voiced by the Yelk and Tsarukyan alliances regarding the government recently approved 2017-2022 strategic development program for Armenia, Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan, in a speech delivered today in parliament, stated that while he welcomed the opposition’s critique and proposals, he believed the government’s plan was “more objective and attainable.”

“There were emotional speeches saying that this program wasn’t one of progress but of marching in place. In my opinion, this criticism isn’t well founded. The critique or proposals of our colleagues in the Tsarukyan Alliance are of two types. They say, we received 430,000 votes, so why don’t you accept our program. The fact is that we received more votes. Then they say that our political party had certain shortcomings and unfulfilled measures in the past, and for this reason we will not listen to any program,” Karapetyan said, adding that the newly approved program includes solutions to past problems.

As to the Yelk Alliance charge that Karapetyan became prime minister solely to extend the power of Serzh Sargsyan, the current president of Armenia, Karapetyan pooh-poohed the idea, noting that he had assembled a professional team that wants to implement positive changes in Armenia.

“This is a professional program that will change the country for the better. It's founded on our culture, our traditions, family values, and, at the same time, on the contemporary and comprehensible world,” Karapetyan said, without going into specifics.

The prime minister concluded by saying that his government was open and interested to all suggestions and to working collaboratively on any platform whether in government or the legislature.