Poverty reduction is the Armenian Government`s priority, RA Minister of Economy Tigran Davtyan stated in Parliament.

He reminded the MPs of the international economic crisis, which proved an impediment to the Government`s economic projects. The Government is now revising its strategy to present a new steady development strategy shortly. "The strategy will contain a part on poverty reduction with specific figures," the Minister said. A total of 44 billion AMD will be allocated from the state budget for poverty reduction this year. Off-budget funds will be used as well, Davtyan said. "By and large, 45% of budget programs are social ones," the Minister said. He pointed out that resolution of social problems depends on Armenia`s economic progress.

In response, the Parliament member Victor Dallakyan said: "1.1 million people in Armenia are poor. People have no money for bread and put their children to bed so as not to give them supper. It is Armenia`s reality." Dallakyan stressed that grave social conditions account for the increased number of suicides in Armenia. "40% of suicides are unemployed," he said. The poverty problem is so grave in the country that it poses a threat to national security, Dallakyan said. He stated that 38% of Armenian children come from poor families. As regards disabled children the figure is 70%.