A regular Cabinet meeting took place today, chaired by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

The Government adopted a decision to ensure the implementation of "Reconstruction of Roads of Republican Importance", as well as "Reconstruction of Transport Facilities" measures of the state-funded "Road Network Improvement" program. Accordingly, financial means will be allocated for the reconstruction of the Karinj, Marts, Ahnidzor, Lorut. Shamut and Atan sections of the M6-Atan republican road, reconstruction of the bridge on the Yerevan – Sevan – Ijevan – border of Azerbaijan M4 road, section of Pthghni, Abovyan, and reconstruction of the bridge located in Teghut of Tavush Province, on the Yerevan-Sevan-Ijevan-border of Azerbaijan M4 road. In total, the decision envisages allocating 3,114,231,008 AMD. Referring to the decision, Nikol Pashinyan attached importance to the reconstruction works of roads and bridges. Then the Prime Minister inquired about the progress of the reconstruction or repair of the 500 km of roads planned for this year.

Nikol Pashinyan also referred to capital expenditures, emphasizing the need to implement them with high discipline in order to ensure proper economic activity. The Prime Minister noted that at the moment, based on the results of last year, there are opportunities to finally reach a new benchmark for capital expenditures. Minister of Finance Tigran Khachatryan noted that based on the results of 2021, 218 billion AMD or 92.3% performance of the adjusted capital expenditures has been recorded. “That’s the highest index ever, we do our best to ensure no less performance for this year’s work. One question that has arisen especially in connection with macroeconomic uncertainties and possible tax reductions related to it. We have clarified for all our partners, including the International Monetary Fund and all other financial institutions working with us to understand the annual plan, that if there are such tax cuts, we will raise additional funds that, and it will not affect the performance of our expenditure commitments in any way. In other words, we will execute the expenditures in full”, Tigran Khachatryan said.

Responding, the Prime Minister noted that it’s a very important message to our economic environment. "By the way, we have again envisaged unprecedented amounts of capital expenditures - 350 billion AMD. There has never been such an indicator, and regardless of anything, we will execute those capital expenditures."

At today's Cabinet meeting, Nikol Pashinyan referred to the inspections carried out within the framework of the criminal case initiated in the Ministry of Emergency Situations. "You know that this week, I think two or three days ago, law enforcement agencies conducted searches at the Ministry of Emergency Situations as part of a criminal case being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Committee. At the moment, there are arrested people over that case, the Minister of Emergency Situations Andranik Piloyan is also arrested. I say this with sorrow, it is a very sad fact. We, of course, have no right to disrespect anyone's presumption of innocence in any way. But I also want to record, to express my attitude, that we have publicly assumed zero tolerance for corruption. It is very important that we maintain that position consistently and firmly, which does not predertermine anything, preliminary investigation has still to take place, finally, the case must be submitted to the court and it will be possible to draw conclusions only after the court decision entering into force. This is not a pleasant situation, but I think the obligations before the society, the rule of law, the equality of all before the law are much more important. I am convinced that the investigation will be conducted in an objective manner, in accordance with the letter and spirit of the law. All the guilty will be punished according to the law, if their guilt is found out or proven”, the Prime Minister said.