December 25, 2009 - 15:25 AMT
Tigran Sargsyan: Armenia can finish 2009 with minimal losses
The year of 2009 was full of difficulties, but Armenia proved capable to finish it with minimal losses, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said.

"The global crisis could not bypass Armenia. It bared the weaknesses of the republic's economy and taught useful lessons: to be more resolute in carrying out reforms, economic diversification and creating equal conditions for competition," he said, summing up the results of government's activities in 2009. "Although repeatedly criticized, the government's anti-crisis program was recognized as effective by international organizations."

PM Sargsyan also dwelled on omissions, in particular, the slow pace of reforms and delayed establishment of relevant institutions.