Asked if discussions on arms supply have taken place, regarding Russia’s indirect reference to the situation evolved in Armenia, presupposing certain negative effects, taking into consideration that an extensive part in the partnership takes the military-technological cooperation, the acting Minister of Defence, Vigen Sargsyan responded, that Russia is Armenia’s strategic partner: “We have passed along path together and have had sustained institutions. It is understandable that any given change should make all engaged actors concerned, interested and can have an influence on the processes. We were blamed for using Russia to make people afraid, which is a nonsense. No one was going to make anyone afraid of anything. The Republican Party was simply reminding people that this factor exists, which should be taken into account.”
Vigen Sargsyan assured that people who make decisions today – the new PM and his team, are fully conscious of those challenges and will do anything to preserve the existing relations: “Regardless of the fact how deep our partnership with other countries, in other directions is, our military cooperation with Russia are of exceptional importance and they should put much efforts to keep those ties and develop them.”
Vigen Sargsyan informed that he had a conversation with PM Nikol Pashinyan on those issues yesterday as well: “I am hopeful that the team to be formed and the steps to be undertaken will contribute to preserving those ties and making them more productive, which Mr. Pashinyan promised within his speech in the Parliament when representing his program.”
Asked if at the moment no negative development is in place, Mr. Sargsyan replied that everything will be normal.
Lusine BUDAGHYAN
