PRIME MINISTER URGES COALITION TO WORK TOGETHER FOR ELIMINATION OF SHORTCOMINGS

ARKA
March 17, 2010

YEREVAN, March 17, /ARKA/. Armenian prime minister Tigran Sarkisian
called on coalition government members March 16 to avoid criticizing
the performance of separate ministries, saying the coalition should
join efforts to work together.

His remarks came after economy minister Nerses Yeritsian reacted
angrily to a blistering attack of Gagik Tsarukian, a wealthy
businessman, MP and head of the Prosperous Armenia party, who
accused him of being incompetent. Asked by journalists to comment on
Yeritsian’s claims that the economic crisis ended , Gagik Tsarukian
said on Monday that Yeritsian was not in the right position and had no
knowledge of the economy and the country’s economic situation." "The
president of the country knows that and he is taking corresponding
steps," Tsarukian said.

"The economic crisis is not over. Nobody in the world is saying today
that the economic crisis has ended. Moreover, analysts say a second
phase is possible " Tsarukian added, urging the government to soften
some taxes instead of seeking to toughen them.

In retaliation to this criticism Nerses Yeritsian suggested that Gagik
Tsarukian should assess the work of ministers from his own party,
adding that his work is assessed by the president of the country and
prime minister.

‘There are shortcomings in all ministries, not only in the ministry of
economy. We should not focus on criticizing each other. The coalition’s
strength is in its unity,’ the prime minister said to journalist
during a visit to Ashotsk in the northwestern province of Shirak.

Armenian economy reported a 2.4% year-on-year growth in 2010 January.

According to the official figures, the GDP volume in January amounted
to 149.5 billion Drams, while the GDP deflator index was 10.5% from
January 2009.