Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, after voting in the parliamentary elections on Sunday, June 7, said that he maintains close relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and called any talk about tension in relations between Yerevan and Moscow “artificial.”
The Civil Contract party, led by Pashinyan, according to polls, is considered the favorite in the elections for the new convocation of the National Assembly, the country’s unicameral parliament. The party's main competitors are former President Robert Kocharyan's Armenia bloc, as well as Strong Armenia, Prosperous Armenia and Wings of Unity. Opposition representatives managed to accuse Pashinyan’s government before the elections of trying to prevent voting for them.
Shortly before the elections in Armenia, the Russian authorities, against the backdrop of Pashinyan’s pre-election rhetoric, who announced the country’s policy of joining the European Union (EU), introduced restrictions on the import of a number of Armenian goods. Putin has also publicly stated that Armenia should decide in a referendum soon to leave the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) if it plans to join the EU. He drew attention to the fact that the Ukrainian conflict began with Kyiv taking a course towards European integration.
Pashinyan, in a conversation with reporters at the polling station, said that he does not see tension in relations with Russia.
“I don’t see tension, this is artificial tension. Our relations with Russia are institutional and based on mutual respect,” Armenpress quotes Pashinyan.
The Prime Minister added that this artificial tension is allegedly created by other political forces in Armenia, and he personally maintains “very close relations with the President of the Russian Federation.”
Pashinyan emphasized that certain restrictions on the import of goods are introduced “constantly,” since issues of phytosanitary and quality standards are discussed at every meeting of the EAEU. He noted that he considered his colleagues’ approach to be “tactically incorrect.”
“Instead of increasing the attractiveness of the EAEU in our country, they are doing the opposite. After all, then people will decide, not me,” Interfax quotes Pashinyan.
According to him, the EAEU does not have the opportunity to exclude Armenia, and a referendum on the choice between the EU or the EAEU will take place when there is progress on the issue of European integration. He emphasized that, in his personal assessment, Armenia is not yet ready to apply to the EU for accession candidate status.
“Objectively, we know that we are not ready for this status, we must carry out reforms, and we will calmly continue the path of reforms,” Pashinyan noted.
He also announced visits to Moscow, Washington, Brussels and Paris if he retains the post of prime minister. Earlier, US President Donald Trump expressed official support for Pashinyan.
