Armenia does not seek to damage ties with Russia, PM says

Armenia does not seek to create a crisis in its relations with Russia, and will continue pursuing closer ties with the European Union, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has stated.

Speaking at a joint briefing with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Yerevan, Pashinyan said Armenia takes into account the interests of its international partners but is guided primarily by its own national interests, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

"Yerevan does not ignore the interests of its international partners, but at the same time is guided by its own interests," he noted.

Responding to a question, Pashinyan ruled out any halt to Armenia's process of closer integration with the European Union.

Commenting on his telephone conversation the previous day with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Pashinyan said the two had agreed to continue discussions on key bilateral issues.

"The phone call took place at my initiative. The range of issues discussed was outlined in the official statement. We agreed to hold more detailed discussions in the near future," he added.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov