Citizens wishing to go to Russia marched from the government building to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There, they met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Zohrab Mnatsakanyan. He told the protesting citizens, “There are many examples and there are many situations in which Russian citizens said that they wanted to go, but Georgia said that they will not allow people to pass in their cars. We organized things, we came to agreements together that would enable us to change the situation, but they were Russian citizens, which is why they were given permission in the end.”
Mnatsakanyan said that people who are not Russian citizens are not allowed to go. “Those are the rules Russia has presented. There are 192 countries outside of Armenia. Please, do not think that I am giving you empty promises. Once the pandemic passes, everything will happen. You came here to tell us that you want to go to Russia. Believe me when I say that everyone is trying to solve this problem.”
The minister said that Armenia is holding negotiations and discusses, but he cannot say anything specific as far as when the borders will open.
Upon the observation of one citizen who said that the border between Belarus and Russia is open despite the pandemic, Zohrab Mnatsakanyan said, “That is their decision. They are in a different situation. We are aware of the issue and it is understandable, but the solution is not readily available because the situation has to do with decisions made by other countries.”
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The minister also said that these discussions are not only taking place with Russia, but with other countries, too. “Another group can come to us tomorrow and ask us to let them go to Europe. Let me remind you that this is a global pandemic. The situation has not improved to the point where we can change the rules. We are making new rules according to the demands of our country because our main target is to overcome the virus and reduce its presence in our country.”
One of the people said that they are not pleased with the minister’s response, to which the minister responded, “That’s natural, of course. You want to leave.”
Lusine Budaghyan
