Media: Armenian FM at odds with new ambassador to Russia

Tensions have arisen between Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and the country’s new ambassador to Russia, Gurgen Arsenyan, who is also a prominent businessman.

Armenian newspaper reveals that Mirzoyan is displeased with Arsenyan’s appointment, Caliber.Az reports.

Sources suggest that Mirzoyan did not support Arsenyan’s candidacy because it was proposed by Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan. “Mirzoyan still can't forgive Simonyan, as it was he who removed him from the post of speaker and ‘sent’ him to work at the Foreign Ministry,” the newspaper claims.

The situation is further complicated by Arsenyan’s past criticisms of the Foreign Ministry. Arsenyan had previously reprimanded Mirzoyan from the parliamentary rostrum, which reportedly angered the minister. Additionally, in 2022, Arsenyan called for an increase in the ministry’s budget, arguing that the current funding was inadequate for effective work.

Gurgen Arsenyan, appointed Armenia's Ambassador to Russia on August 14, succeeded Vagharshak Harutyunyan. It is noteworthy that, while serving as an MP, Arsenyan had frequently criticized Russia. However, following his appointment as ambassador, he stated that he would adhere to the principle of political restraint in his new role.