Pashinyan 'unaware' of developments in Armenia, ex-advisor says
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Thursday claimed that the number of air passengers arriving in Armenia increased by 20% between January 1 and January 6 compared to the same period in 2024.
In a social media post on Friday, Mesrop Arakelyan, an economist and Pashinyan's former advisor, said the statement "suggests that Nikol Pashinyan is unaware of the current developments in the country."
Arakelyan explained that many Armenians traditionally celebrate the New Year abroad, leaving the country in late December and returning in early January.
"In essence, the rise in arrivals this year indicates that more Armenians celebrated the New Year outside the country," he wrote.