ARMENIA CAN’T AFFORD ISOLATION

Hayots Ashkharh Daily, Armenia
Oct 4 2007

Yesterday Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan responded to Hermine
Naghdalyan’s question regarding inflation.

" This question should have been addressed to the Minister of Finance
and Economy. But because the issue is politicized and is linked with
certain processes, I must underscore that it is a simple speculation.

The increase of the prices of certain food items has nothing to do with
the forthcoming elections. It is easy for a person with little logic
to understand that any authority is more interested in decreasing the
prices before the elections. Because this way it is easier to obtain
people’s votes, than increase the prices collect money; later give
this money to "buy" votes. It is nonsense.

The fact is, recently some food items have become very expensive in
the world market, and Armenia can’t afford being isolated from this
processes. You can find information about the recent changes of prices
in the World Bank from Internet and you will see the increased prices
of butter, oil, etc.

Government is really concerned about this issue and we are studying
it. I must say that these investigations are conformed to our general
policy – reduction of shadow economy, transparent business, etc. If
we manage to solve these issues I don’t think any other questions
will arise," the Prime Minister underscored.