On March 12, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's press conference was held in the government.

Before answering the questions of media representatives, the Prime Minister made an opening speech, in which he particularly stated:

"Dear representatives of mass media, I welcome all of you. I also welcome those who follow us on the air. On February 24 of this year, the Government adopted and sent to the National Assembly the 2023 report on the progress and results of the 2021-2026 Action Plan of the Government of the Republic of Armenia.

Like last year, this time also prior to the parliamentary debates, I initiated this press conference to discuss the report through a question-and-answer session with journalists accredited by the Government.

Before proceeding to the question and answer, I would like to emphasize that according to the results of 2023, an economic growth of 8.7 percent was recorded in the Republic of Armenia. To be precise here, there is some discussion in the Ministry of Finance and the Statistical Committee regarding the exact growth figure, but we are confident that the economic growth is more than 8 percent, the rate will probably be adjusted or remain the same.

The Government formed by the results of the extraordinary parliamentary elections of 2021 set as a key target the provision of an average annual economic growth of 7 percent in 2021-2026. In 2022, 12.6 percent economic growth was recorded in Armenia, in 2021 - 5.8 percent economic growth. Accordingly, with the results of the three years following the elections, the economic growth target is secured.

I have mentioned many times that the state interest of Armenia is the economic development, from which the Government's policies and decisions should be derived. It is the economic development that will enable the Republic of Armenia to serve the state agenda in its entirety. In this regard, I would like to thank all our citizens who work, create results and pay taxes provided for by law, and all persons who conduct economic activity and pay taxes in the Republic of Armenia, who provided a record tax revenue of 2 trillion 222 billion AMD for the state budget of 2023. This figure is 92 percent or 1 trillion 64 billion AMD higher than the state budget revenues of 2017.

Dear attendees,
Dear people,

The biggest challenge of 2023 was the forced displacement of the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh. The government and the people of Armenia were able to receive more than 100,000 people in 1 week and address their short-term needs. Addressing the long-term needs of our forcibly displaced brothers and sisters is still ahead, and we will soon complete the program to address their housing needs. As I have said, if our forcibly displaced brothers and sisters do not have an objective opportunity or desire to return to Nagorno Karabakh, the government's policy will be aimed at creating the necessary conditions for them to stay in the Republic of Armenia.

Dear journalists,

Dear people,

Based on the results of a deep and comprehensive analysis of the events of recent years, the Government continues the policy of diversification of foreign and security relations. In this context, the peace agenda remains the priority for us, and the Government continues the policy of signing a peace agreement with Azerbaijan and implementing border delimitation and demarcation based on three principles. And although these principles are well-known, in order not to cause confusion, I consider it necessary to mention them again.

First, Armenia and Azerbaijan recognize each other's territorial integrity on the basis of the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration.

Secondly, the Alma-Ata Declaration is a political basis for delimitation and demarcation between the two countries, which means that there is no agenda to create a new border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, but it is necessary to reflect on the ground the de jure existing administrative border between the republics during the collapse of the USSR, which became a state border with the Alma-Ata declaration.

Third, regional communications should be opened with respect for the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the countries they pass through, based on the principle of equality and reciprocity. We have summerized our ideas on this topic in the "Crossroads of Peace" project.

Dear journalists,

I am now ready to answer your questions."

Next, Nikol Pashinyan answered many questions of media representatives.