YEREVAN. – According to the Armenian National Statistical Service (NSS) data, the foreign investments in Armenia have doubled in the first quarter of this year, as compared to the same period last year, Chorrord Ishkhanutyun newspaper reported.

“And do you know thanks to what has this miracle become possible? The NSS simply represented as a foreign investment the transfer of the 20 percent of ArmRusGazprom [company’s] shares, which belong to Armenia, to [the Russian energy giant] Gazprom [Company].

“Incidentally, Russia is in first place in the volume of foreign direct investments in Armenia. And do you know what country is in second place? Cyprus because it is an offshore zone. In other words, it is not foreign investment.

“Our [Armenia’s] officials take out of the country what they have robbed, ‘launder’ it in Cyprus, and then start businesses in Armenia representing it as a foreign investment,” Chorrord Ishkhanutyun wrote.