YEREVAN. – The year 2015 was difficult and full of challenges.

Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia (RA), Hovik Abrahamyan, stated the aforesaid at Tuesday’s special Cabinet session, as he summed up the closing year.

In the PM’s words, three major developments have occurred for Armenia in 2015, and the first of which was the economic growth.

“[And] the average inflation [rate] stood at 4.1 percent, in the case when the average monthly wage rose by 8.5 percent,” Abrahamyan said. He stressed that all this took place in the country against the backdrop of the sanctions imposed on Russia, and around a US$500-million reduction in remittances from abroad to Armenia.

In the Premier’s words, the second major accomplishment for Armenia in 2015 was the implementation of Constitutional amendments.

“The bill, which was approved by the RA citizens through a referendum, surely serves a valuable basis for the wellbeing and sustainable development of Armenia,” Hovik Abrahamyan added.

As per the PM, the third major event for Armenia was its economic integration.

“By joining the EEU [i.e. the Eurasian Economic Union], Armenia got the chance to lessen the decrease in exports,” he noted. “At the same time, in December 2015, the RA began new extensive negotiations with the EU.”

Also, Hovik Abrahamyan expressed a conviction that Armenia will achieve new successes in the coming year.