Putin Overstates Economic Growth in Armenia

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a press conference after meeting with Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian at the Kremlin in Moscow on August 10, 2016. (Photo: Reuters)

YEREVAN (RFE/RL)””The head of Armenia’s National Statistical Service seemed mystified on Thursday by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s claim that the Armenian economy grew by 10 percent last year thanks to becoming part of the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU).

Putin cited the growth rate contradicting official Armenian statistics during and after his talks with President Serzh Sarkisian held in Moscow on Wednesday.

“The republic has already felt benefits of its membership in the union,”