Eurasianet

While the defense minister refused to specify exactly how the budget growth would be allocated, he did suggest the increase would be utilized for new weapons systems for the Armenian military.

Western backers are making a tactical retreat, hoping that a quiet approach will ultimately help the controversial legislation pass.

Following April’s elections, Armenia now has four ethnic minority MPs – one each from the country’s Yezidi, Assyrian, Kurdish, and Russian communities – in its 105-seat parliament.

Recent efforts suggest the country’s leadership is trying to address growing public concern about the country’s demographic decline.

Legislation aimed at preventing domestic violence in Armenia has been scuttled after opponents charged that it is a European attempt to undermine traditional Armenian values.