Ministry of Finance: Forced displacement of 100,000 people from Artsakh was unexpected, funds allocated to them are not included in the budget

The forced displacement of 100,000 people from Nagorno-Karabakh was unexpected, Armenian Finance Minister Vahe Hovhannisyan said on Wednesday, presenting the 2024 draft state budget to the National Assembly.

“Of course, Azerbaijan’s policy has made obvious the criminal intent to perpetuate ethnic cleansing, but the forced displacement of 100,000 people in such a short period was unexpected. Thanks to the high rates of revenue collection and the necessary reserves, it was possible to allocate funds for the accommodation of our compatriots forcibly displaced from Artsakh and the provision of primary care,” he said.

The Finance Minister noted that the draft state budget was approved on these days, and the funds allocated to the forcibly displaced persons are not included in the specified program.

The Finance Minister said that the government will continue to pay 50,000 drams during the first three months of the year (January, February, March). It is also planned to spend on pensions and allowances, which will require an additional 30 billion drams.

Additional spending on education and healthcare will also be planned.