YEREVAN, OCTOBER 9, NOYAN TAPAN. In the opinion of Ara Abrahamian, the chairman of the Union of Armenians of Russia and the World Armenian Congress, a breakthrough is necessary in those sectors of the Armenian economy that may ensure Armenia's leading positions in the region, taking into account its dffficult relations with neighbors and especially the factor of the blockade. In the interview with the Azg newspaper, A. Abrahamian expressed a view that some progress has been indeed made in the economy, an economic growth has been observed, which, according to official data, is a two-digit one, however, as A. Abrahamian said, taking into consideration the whole complex of Armenia's difficulties, even such a growth is insufficient for solution of immensely serious strategic problems. In his opinion, the issue of lifting Armenia's blockade and search for ways to restore its transport communications is still on the agenda, and solution of this issue would create most favorable conditions for an economic leap. "They say: "Necessity is the mother of invention," he remarked, adding that maybe the ongoing blockade of Armenia will cause to use modern means of communication and the Internet to a greater extent for development of the knowledge-based economy and information systems. According to him, the physical blockade of Armenia's territory is not an obstacle to involving Armenian programmers, high-tech experts, scientists, and economists in the global knowledge-based economy and international labor division. "A lot of investments are certainly needed for this, and, unfortunately, the country lacks such sums," the chairman of the Union of Armenians of Russia said. "We must assess the country's economic situation not only by comparing the indices of this and previous years but also in the context of regional economy's development and the opportunities of our neighbors, partners and opponents. Only in this case we will be able to see the objective picture because Armenia's economy is able to ensure the economic and especially the army political security of our people and our historical homeland," A. Abrahamian said, expressing a hope that on the whole the new president and authorities of Armenia will more efficiently use the potential of the Diaspora.

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