Pashinyan: Armenia seeks to deepen relations with Russia PHOTO

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said Yerevan intends to develop and deepen relations with Moscow despite its efforts to move closer to the European Union.

According to Pashinyan, Armenia is pursuing a policy of diversifying its foreign ties, which he describes as a “balancing policy.”

He noted that after peace was established between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Yerevan’s relations with Moscow were objectively changing, as previously about 90% of their interaction had focused on security issues.

“We are constructively minded; we want to transform and deepen our relations with the Russian Federation in a constructive manner. And we want to deepen our friendly, fraternal relations with the Russian Federation,” Pashinyan said.

Separately, Pashinyan met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in New York.

The two discussed the Armenia-EU cooperation agenda.

The prime minister stressed the importance of EU assistance in Armenia’s economic diversification process and the decisions being taken for that purpose. Pashinyan also emphasised the EU’s support for the effective implementation of democratic reforms in Armenia.

Ursula von der Leyen said the EU would continue supporting the advancement of the Armenian government’s programmes and the development of cooperation in various areas. The two officials also touched on issues of regional importance.

By Tamilla Hasanova