YEREVAN. – We have a task of implementing major projects in the domain of justice, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at Thursday’s Cabinet session of the Government of Armenia. He noted this reflecting on his recent visit to Brussels.

“We also have a [similar] task in the judicial system,” he added, in particular.

Pashinyan noted that even though the European Union (EU) supports these projects, it does not plan on funding them by 100 percent, and it expects Armenia to make considerable funding as well.

“[But] increasing incomes in Armenia is a major issue here,” Pashinyan stressed. “In this context, inclusion of foreign funds is also underscored. We have written in the government’s program that we consider the development of infrastructures the primary target for them.

“We have to make a political decision on this matter because we have certain legislative restrictions regarding the GDP/national debt ratio.

“During my entire parliamentary activities, I myself have voted against all loan agreements, without any exception (…). I have said that if I consider the government corrupt, I can’t entrust that government the spending of any loan resource.”

The PM noted that now the Armenian government has to respond to two questions.

“First, whether we are able to create systemic guarantees that public funds—moreover, loan resources—are spent purposefully,” Nikol Pashinyan explained. “And if we are able to, which is that limit where we can keep the level of national debt manageable without additional risks?”