Presenting the draft state budget for 2022 at a government meeting, Nikol Pashinyan spoke about the importance of effective governance and security.

Armenia will pay special attention to the development of defence capabilities, the Prime Minister said. He highlighted the importance of creating a favourable external environment around the Republic of Armenia, in addition to modernising and re-equipping the army to strengthen the country's defence capabilities.

He told MPs that the government will continue its investment stimulation agenda by increasing transparency in the public procurement system, expanding competitive bidding for state procurements, and drafting legislative changes to simplify relations with reliable companies.

"This will increase the confidence of citizens that their taxes are being spent more efficiently. Every day, citizens of Armenia must feel the impact of the measures taken by the government on their lives. An important component of this is the involvement of the public in the various stages of budgeting and implementation” said Pashinyan.

Pashinyan stated the 2022 budget is based on three main priorities: security system reform, infrastructure development, and the modernisation of education and science.

"We will pay great attention to ensuring security, without which it will not be possible to achieve long-term development goals. In this sense, it is possible not only to modernise the army's defence capabilities but also to create a favourable external environment around Armenia, with the consistent implementation of the agenda of opening an era of peaceful development for Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh, and the region.”

He also said Yerevan should "consistently try to implement the agenda of the era of peaceful development for Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.

In this context, Pashinyan sees the opening of regional economic and transportation infrastructure as a fundamental shift in the content and structure of the Armenian economy, as well as a stimulus for economic growth and an attractive investment destination.

The draft budget enters into force after being discussed and approved by parliament.