Lavrov: Russia`s relations with Armenia today close, like allies, but  also complex

ArmInfo. Russia's relations with Armenia today are close, like allies, but also complex. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated this in a conversation with  journalists following his visit to India and the BRICS Foreign  Ministers' Council.

"We have relations with Armenia; these relations are close, like  allies, but at the same time complex. And given how the West is  trying to subjugate Armenia, following the example of some other  members of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and sever  Armenia's mutually beneficial economic, trade, and investment ties  with its CIS and EAEU partners," the Russian minister said. He also  recalled that Russian President Vladimir Putin had openly stated this  when he received Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in the  Kremlin on April 1. Lavrov noted that the Russian president had said  that Moscow would respect any choice its Armenian friends made, but  it must also be understood that commitments within the Eurasian  Economic Union cannot be maintained if Armenia, as has been  repeatedly declared at the highest level, embarks on the path to  joining the European Union. "There are simply mutually exclusive  obligations there, including trade regimes and much more," Russia's  top diplomat continued.

He added that Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk, who  oversees the EAEU, had also spoken about this in detail. "We are  being absolutely clear and honest with our Armenian friends here. It  is our duty as allies to explain how economic integration processes  are structured in the modern world and how the EAEU differs from the  EU. And judging by the progress of the EU accession negotiations  between Brussels and our Serbian friends, one of the conditions being  put forward to anyone who wants to move closer and fully join the  European Union is full adherence to the EU's foreign policy. And the  essence of this foreign policy at this stage is open, rabid, and  aggressive Russophobia. I think our Armenian colleagues are also  aware of this and will take it into account," the diplomat continued.

He further stated that he had developed very good personal contacts  with his Armenian counterpart, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan. He  added that he communicates with Mirzoyan, although mainly by  telephone.

He added that the most recent CIS meeting in Moscow was attended by  the Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister, who actively participated in  the discussions on preparing the final documents.

"Now I think the optimal opportunity to openly discuss the issues  arising in connection with the EU's insistence on drawing Armenia  into its orbit, including at the cost of risking the benefits Armenia  enjoys through the EAEU, will openly arise at the end of the last  week of May, when the Supreme Economic Council meets in Kazakhstan,"  Lavrov said.

He added that he had heard that the Armenian Prime Minister stated  that he would be unable to attend the summit due to election  campaigning. "That would be unfortunate, of course, because it would  be a good opportunity to discuss the issues that are currently in the  air," the Russian Foreign Minister concluded.