Just economic reforms can serve as a basis for struggling against monopolies and oligarchs - ANC member Vahagn Khachatryan.

At Jan. 13 economic discussions, Vardan Aivazyan, a member of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), was expecting criticism of the Armenian government's economic policy.

Armenian Center for Political and International Studies organized the discussions.

Representatives of the opposition Armenian National Congress (ANC), Free Democrats and Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutyun (ARF-D) presented their economic programs and pointed out the government's omissions.

The ARF-D MP Artsvik Minasyan informed his counterpart representing Armenia's ruling party, Republican Party of Armenia (RPAP), of the critical economic situation in Armenia, particularly growing poverty and migration. According to him, this is the result of the government's failed policy. He expressed hope that the coming elections will "afford an opportunity to get rid of the irresponsible" ruling circles.

Mr Aivazyan, in turn, noted that the government did its utmost to cope with the economic crisis. The government's program clearly indicates the measures to improve the situation. Should an economic entity raise prices without any grounds, it is forced to transfer the income received from the price difference to the state budget, he said.

Mr. Minasyan , in turn, said that the law is not properly applied. "Supermarkets have turned out a scourge in our country. Instead of setting civilized trade rules, they are practicing disordered sale," he said. Aivazyan disagreed, saying that the authorities have made progress in this field lately.

The ANC member Vahagn Khachatryan said that Armenia lacks market economy and proposed restoration of market economy first. He advises adopting Georgia's experience.

"By the way, economic reforms are almost the same as corruption control," Khachatryan said. It is the reforms that can serve as a basis for struggling against monopolies and oligarchs, he added.

Tatevik Avetisyan, a member of the Free Democrats party, proposed a number of reforms of Armenia's economic policy, which is expected to promote steady economic growth.

Armenia must have a favorable environment for start-ups, she added.