Opposition MP criticizes Armenian government's defense policy

Armenian opposition MP Tigran Abrahamyan has questioned why many European countries that face no immediate threat of war are increasing their military spending and modernizing their armed forces, while Armenia takes a different approach.

“Numerous European countries, as well as the EU itself, have announced increases in their defense budgets. Moreover, some of those countries, which already have professional armies, are even discussing the reinstatement of mandatory conscription,” Abrahamyan wrote on Facebook on Monday.

He noted that the key issue is understanding why countries with no real risk of war are striving to modernize their arsenals and boost combat readiness.

“They all realize that diplomatic successes are first and foremost based on modern security mechanisms and high combat readiness,” the Pativ Unem faction MP stressed.

Abrahamyan went on to criticize the Armenian authorities, saying that instead of adapting to these realities, the government prefers to rely on Turkish-Azerbaijani assurances and “simply enjoy the so-called peace”.