Pashinyan: Armenia seeks to deepen ties with Islamic world

The Armenian government does not pursue a pro-Western foreign policy but rather adheres to a balanced approach that does not pose a threat to Iran, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated.

"Our government implements a balanced foreign policy that excludes targeting any country. Our relations are and should be based solely on the state interests of our country. This is our approach," Pashinyan said in an interview with Iranian state television when asked about the Western-oriented direction of Armenia's authorities, Caliber.Az reports referencing international media.

He emphasized that the trajectory of Armenian-Iranian relations over the past seven years is not inferior to any previous period and, in some respects, even surpasses earlier levels. At the same time, Pashinyan acknowledged Armenia’s strong ties with the European Union, explaining that these relations are partly shaped by the democratic reforms implemented by his government.

"Regional diversity creates opportunities for us to integrate not only with the West but also with the East. We do not want our relations with the so-called East to shrink or weaken. On the contrary, we want to deepen them. We attach great importance to our relations with Iran, and we want our ties with the Islamic world to expand," he stated.

Pashinyan also reassured that Armenia’s foreign policy does not endanger Iran’s interests. "Our relations with other [countries] do not pose a threat to Iran. And I hope that Iran’s engagement with third countries does not pose a threat to Armenia. It is this mutual understanding that creates a natural foundation for deepening our relations," he concluded.

By Tamilla Hasanova