"The true measure of a reform is the difference it makes in people’s lives." intervista di Carlo Coppola al Ministro Arsen Torosyan
Questa intervista di Carlo Coppola al Ministro Arsen Torosyan è stata pubblicata in lingua italiana sul giornale "In Città - Giovinazzo" al seguente link:
https://www.incittagiovinazzo.it/2026/08/13/la-riforma-vale-quanto-cambia-la-vita-delle-persone-intervista-di-carlo-coppola-al-ministro-arsen-torosyan/In the past days we had the opportunity to conduct an interview with H.E. the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, Arsen Torosyan, a distinguished figure we have also covered in the past. The occasion proved valuable for its high educational significance, useful for further understanding the direction in which contemporary Armenia is moving. The conversation was facilitated by the valuable collaboration of the Press Secretary, Mr. Nver Kostanyan. From pre-2018 civil disobedience to leading the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, passing through the pandemic and the 44-day war, the Minister walked us through a decade of reforms and outlined the new course of Armenian social protection.
QUESTION 1: Minister, your public engagement began well before the 2018 Velvet Revolution, through civic participation movements and initiatives of non-violent civil disobedience. You have since taken on positions of increasing responsibility—from heading the Ministry of Health to serving as Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister, and now as Minister of Labor and Social Affairs. Looking back on this path today, which guiding principles have remained unchanged, and conversely, which principles has your experience in public administration led you to revise or adapt, given the complexities of public governance?
ANSWER:
At different stages of my public and political engagement, the scope of my official responsibilities has changed, but never the fundamental values that have guided me. Today, as in the past, I remain convinced that public governance is effective only when authority not only makes decisions but also remains open to “seeing” existing problems, listening to citizens, welcoming constructive criticism, and standing ready to continuously review and improve its work.
Years of experience have convinced me more than ever that the real value of any reform is not measured by the number of legal acts or programs adopted, but by the actual change it brings to people’s lives. In the field of labor and social protection, this responsibility is multiplied many times over, because behind almost every decision stand people facing difficult life circumstances—children, persons with disabilities, or members of the older generation. Our responsibility, therefore, cannot be limited to simply responding to existing problems; it must also involve creating opportunities that allow people to develop, work, fully realize their potential, and become self-sufficient.
QUESTION 2: As Minister of Health you found yourself facing, simultaneously, two unprecedented crises: the COVID-19 pandemic and the health consequences resulting from the 2020 war. In your view, what institutional lessons did that experience teach you, and which of the decisions made at that time do you still consider your most significant contribution to the development of the healthcare system?
ANSWER:
That period was, without doubt, one of the most complex phases of my career. The COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 war were crises of entirely different natures, yet both demanded a rapid response and the utmost responsibility. During that period, one could say that the state—and the healthcare system in particular—was fighting on two, if not three, fronts at once. If we speak of the work accomplished, it is difficult to single out one decision, because in conditions of crisis every step is interconnected and aimed at rapidly saving as many lives as possible.
Nevertheless, during that period particular importance was placed on the rapid mobilization of the
healthcare system: the capacity of medical institutions was expanded, medical personnel, equipment, and other essential resources were operationally redistributed, and continuous access to healthcare services was ensured for citizens—all of this against the backdrop of every other illness still present, because we could not tell a patient that we could not treat their heart attack simply because we were treating a COVID patient and a wounded soldier at the same time. These steps not only made it possible to overcome the challenges of that period but also laid the foundation for strengthening the long-term resilience of the healthcare system. Looking back today, I can confidently affirm that Armenia was among the countries that best overcame the coronavirus pandemic, even though the numerous criticisms directed at us at the time suggested something entirely different. It was also in that year that universal health insurance was introduced—one of the most pivotal reforms, if not the most pivotal, in the history of the Third Republic of Armenia—and I am glad to have made my modest contribution to the design and advancement of that system.
QUESTION 3: From January to June 2021 you served as Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister of Armenia, during one of the most sensitive periods in the country’s recent history—immediately following the 44-day war. How did that experience shape your approach to setting policy priorities, particularly in situations where domestic political needs and geopolitical factors may come into conflict?
ANSWER:
After the 44-day war, the state’s foremost task was to respond quickly, systematically, and effectively to the humanitarian and social challenges that had emerged, as well as to the tense domestic political situation in the country. At that stage, every decision was made through comprehensive assessment, taking into account its social, economic, legal, and security implications. This approach made it possible to develop and implement the necessary programs in response to the problems caused by the war.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and thanks to the wisdom of our people, we managed to emerge from the domestic political crisis and overcome the post-war situation.
As for the influence of geopolitical developments, these can certainly affect the decisions of small
states. However, the main precondition for withstanding external challenges is the “strength of the state from within”—through social solidarity, accountable governance, the strengthening of the rule of law, and social stability. It is on these foundations that a competitive and developing state can be built.
QUESTION 4: Many economists consider pension system reform to be one of Armenia’s key
challenges for the coming decade, particularly given demographic trends and the need for long-term financial sustainability. What are your Ministry’s current priorities on this issue, and what timeframe do you consider realistic for beginning a comprehensive reform?
ANSWER:
Let me first note that since 2018, consistent and systematic reforms have been carried out in the field of pension provision. If we speak of concrete results, I believe this figure alone gives us a clear indication: the minimum pension, which was 16,000 drams, has today risen to 46,000 drams. Alongside this, a program is also in place offering a 20% cashback on non-cash transactions, which can provide an additional 10,000 drams in pension and benefit payments.
At the same time, social protection policy is not limited solely to changes in the pension system. We are developing and implementing complementary reforms in the areas of demography, employment, social protection, and several others. As for the timeline of the reforms, our priority is not speed but quality and long-term sustainability. Every decision must be based on demographic trends, financial calculations, international best practices, and broad professional discussion. Our goal is not to introduce yet another change, but to build a modern, people-centered system of social protection in which, at every stage of life—from a child’s birth to a dignified old age—state policies complement one another and create solid foundations for citizens’ well-being, self-sufficiency, and social security. Beyond this, in our electoral program we have clearly stated the need to introduce a pension indexation system, which will make it possible to index and increase pensions annually in line with inflation. We believe this, too, represents major progress in this field.
QUESTION 5: In recent years, many observers—both within the country and abroad—have noted the perception that the cost of living has risen faster than wages and pensions. Beyond macroeconomic indicators, what specific steps does the Government plan to take to increase the purchasing power of households and protect the most vulnerable groups in society? This isespecially important considering that wherever the state’s economic and social protection system fails to reach, the potential for anti-state sentiment to grow increases.
ANSWER:
Inflation and the rise in the cost of living have been a serious challenge in recent years, not only for Armenia but for many countries. In this regard, the core objective of our policy is not only to mitigate these consequences but also to create conditions that enable people to improve their quality of life through employment, work, and economic activity.
At the same time, it must be noted that the strength of a state is not measured solely by economic
indicators. Equally important is the extent to which citizens have access to quality education, dignified work, effective social protection, and the opportunity to develop their own potential.
QUESTION 6: Social reforms often require a delicate balance between financial stability, economic growth, and social cohesion. Looking at international experience, including European and Italian models, are there specific approaches you consider particularly valuable as a source of inspiration for the development of Armenia’s social protection system?
ANSWER:
Undoubtedly, studying international best practices is an important tool for making policies more effective. Therefore, when developing large-scale reforms or new programs, we examine successful experiences from different countries where relevant, assess their applicability, and take into account solutions that may prove useful to us.
At the same time, it is important to keep in mind that no country’s social protection model can simply be transplanted into another context. Our priority, therefore, is not the direct reproduction of individual countries’ models, but the targeted localization of international best practices—combining them with Armenia’s capabilities and strategic development goals. This approach makes it possible to shape an effective, realistic, and, in the long term, sustainable system of social protection.
QUESTION 7: The arrival in Armenia in 2023 of more than one hundred thousand Armenians displaced from Karabakh, along with a certain inflow of citizens returning from the diaspora—particularly from countries in the Middle East and from Russia—represents one of the most significant social changes of recent years. What impact is this new reality having on the labor market and the social protection system, and what policies is your Ministry implementing to promote stable, long-term integration?
ANSWER:
The situation that emerged in 2023 required a rapid and coordinated response—from meeting the
immediate needs of our compatriots displaced from Karabakh to shaping long-term socio economic integration policies. In the first phase, a needs-assessment process was organized and carried out, the necessary support was provided, and employment, housing, and integration programs were subsequently developed and implemented. Many compatriots are currently benefiting from employment and housing programs, and our goal is to ensure conditions that allow them to fully integrate, build independent lives, and shape their future in Armenia.
The same approach applies to diaspora Armenians returning to Armenia. Ultimately, integration is not merely a matter of providing social assistance; it also involves ensuring education, employment, housing, and full participation in community life. Our goal is to create conditions in which our compatriots can not only return, but also live, work, and build their future in our country.
QUESTION 8: I would like to close with a forward-looking question. If, five years from now, you were to look back on your term in office and identify a single achievement that you would like to leave a lasting mark on the history of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, what would you want it to be, and why?
ANSWER:
Ideally, I would like to see a situation in which there were no citizens facing difficult life circumstances or in need of social assistance, and in which social policy was understood primarily as a policy for developing human potential, expanding opportunities, and fostering self-sufficiency.
At this point, I would consider it a great achievement if we could change public perception of the social protection system, so that citizens turn to the state not only to overcome hardship or receive support, but first and foremost to find work and new ways to develop their own capabilities. If we manage to build precisely this kind of relationship between state and citizen, then I will consider that our work has left a lasting and valuable mark.
