Armenia’s current policy will continue to focus on building partnership relations with Russia, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, who is currently on leave, said during the election campaign. He was responding to claims that Armenia’s authorities had damaged Armenian-Russian relations.
“I believe those accusations that we have damaged relations are at the very least unfair and unfounded,” Mirzoyan said, according to Sputnik Armenia.
He assured that Armenia has made, is making and will continue to make every effort to maintain normal, partner-like and healthy relations with Russia.
“This does not mean that our foreign policy should focus only on that direction. We have said that our approach is a balanced foreign policy. Yes, we want to diversify many things, including economic ties… These issues are not interconnected,” he added.
During a meeting with Nikol Pashinyan on April 1, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Armenia’s simultaneous membership in both the European Union and the Eurasian Economic Union was impossible. Later, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk said Armenia was very close to the point after which Russia would have to build economic relations with Armenia differently.
On May 9, during a press conference, Putin said he believed it would be right both for Armenian citizens and for Moscow, Armenia’s main economic partner, for official Yerevan to decide as soon as possible on the issue of European Union membership. He also stressed that although it was not Russia’s business, a referendum could be held to learn Armenian citizens’ views on accession. According to him, depending on the outcome, Moscow would draw conclusions and did not rule out the possibility of a soft, civilized separation. Putin added that Russia would support any decision by Armenia that benefits the country.
