After the discussions on the 2005 state budget the Armenian parliament passed a decision last week to increase military expenses

Although the military expenses earlier made up 13% of the state budget ($98m), the figure was increased up to 18% by the parliament to total the military expenses 35% of the next year`s state budget. Thus, the funds scheduled to be allocated for education will be spent on defense. In 2004, Armenia`s military expenses constituted $82 million. The military expenditures of Georgia will total $65 million in 2005. In Azerbaijan, the government has decided to raise military expenses up to $250 million next year. The figure stood at $180 million in 2004. Commenting on Armenia`s unexpected move to increase military expenses, political analyst Rovshan Novruzoghlu explained the fact with the new aggressive position of Armenia in the South Caucasus region and the country`s unsuccessful foreign policy pursued in the international arena over the recent years. Novruzoghlu said that the Armenian lobbyists in the United States have appealed to the Congress with regard to allocation of $75 million to Armenia and $15 million to Upper Garabagh in military assistance. Armenia intends to use financial assistance provided by Diaspora and other foreign sources for military purposes, the political analyst underlined.