YEREVAN. – Armenia needs to reduce the number of ministries, opposition Armenian National Congress member, economist Vahagn Khachatryan, who is former mayor of capital city Yerevan, said at a press conference on Monday.

Reflecting on ineffective budget expenditures, he stressed that the country does not need the Diaspora, Sport and Youth Affairs, and Economy Ministries.

“We don’t need the Ministry of Economy in its current form,” Khachatryan stated. “The Ministry of Diaspora may enter into the Ministry of Foreign Affairs while the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs—[into] the Ministry of Culture. But I believe that the Ministry of Education and Science should be separated.”

Vahagn Khachatryan added that Armenia needs a very strong Ministry of Nature Protection.

Several days ago, Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan stated that the state apparatus of Armenia needs to be downsized, and the resultant funds shall be used for increasing the defense capability of the country.