Asatrian: Government proposal is step forward, not a retreat

Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan’s appeal to “I am against compulsory accumulative pension system’ civil movement for a dialog bears evidence of a step forward, rather than the retreat of the government, Labor and Social Affairs Minister Artyom Asatrian said at a briefing today.

The minister did not say whether the Armenian government is prepared to make concessions during the implementation of pension reforms. He noted that at the moment he cannot release any other proposals or observations.

“The current policy of the government and the Armenian authorities are definitely directed towards the country’s future and development and the youth are also concerned about that,” Asatrian said.

Asked whether there is any use in starting a dialog with members ‘I am against’ movement if the government has no intention to make concessions, Asatrian replied that the government will take the planned measures. “It’s another matter that there is concern that requires fundamental, multilateral discussions,” the minister said.