Armenian PM shares insights on Brussels meeting with party members

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan convened a meeting with members of the initiative group of the ruling Civil Contract party, offering a glimpse into discussions surrounding Armenia's recent trilateral meeting in Brussels.

The gathering, attended by both rank-and-file party members and MPs, featured insights from Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia, Armen Grigoryan, who presented a report on the meeting's outcomes, Caliber.Az reports citing Armenian Hraparak newspaper.

Reportedly, Pashinyan's contributions to the meeting were brief, as he delivered a succinct three-minute speech expressing his assessments and impressions. During the rest of the session, he interjected with remarks and observations. The meeting, lasting approximately an hour, shed light on Pashinyan's reservations regarding the Brussels meeting's results, according to observations made by attendees.

While Pashinyan acknowledged the significance of support pledged during the meeting, he highlighted concerns about the depth of cooperation and readiness from Western partners, particularly in addressing potential obstacles to Armenia's economic diversification. Notably, he underscored the absence of guarantees regarding Western support in navigating challenges, such as potential disruptions from Russia.

Members of the ruling party probed further into the implications of Western cooperation, particularly concerning Armenia's commitments. Discussions reportedly touched upon issues related to the promotion of LGBT rights and the ratification of the Istanbul Convention. Pashinyan humorously acknowledged these topics as part of the dialogue during the meeting, hinting at undisclosed agreements and suggesting that the convention's ratification remains on the agenda.

Secretary Armen Grigoryan maintained his stance on Armenia's regional development, echoing his prior assertions that Armenia's progress cannot be isolated from its regional context. Grigoryan expressed surprise at the extent of support offered by Western partners, surpassing initial expectations.