Nikol Pashinyan: 'No foreign policy changes' in Armenian-Russian strategic alliance

In an exclusive interview with the Russian Nezavisimaya Gazeta, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan addressed the Armenian-Russian strategic alliance and international political developments, as well as the agenda of the US-Armenia relations.

“No changes have occurred in our relations with Russia. If any changes have taken place at all, they are only on the positive track,” the chief of cabinet said, reiterating his earlier remark that the Armenian-Russian relations do not have any dark corners.

“Our position in the working dialogues and communication is not different from what is reflected in the public speeches, which is a good opportunity indeed to raise the relations to a new level. Russia is our strategic partner and ally. Yet, it is important to consider also the fact that we have our domestic political agenda, which does not coincide with those of either Russia or Belarus or even Kazakhstan or France,” he said, highlighting certain “delicate moments” such as the intensified partnership with the EU.

“We have remained committed to our promise to be transparent in the relationship with the Russian partners. Russia for us is a strategic ally,” the prime minister added.

Pashinyan also addressed the criticism against his government over the decision to send a humanitarian mission in Syria. He noted that the former authorities never faced the same kind of tough reaction for similar decisions.

“There is also the contrary scenario. No government of Armenia has criticized the US the way I do. What matters for us is the preservation of our independence and sovereignty. We cannot certainly exist without regional and international relations. We are always open to debates – also over the humanitarian mission which we have dispatched to Syria. April 24 marks the Armenia Genocide commemoration day. If the Armenian sappers demine a little area to secure space for a playground for kids - whose ancestors have saved at least one Armenian’s life (and there are definitely such people in Aleppo) – then our mission is justified. If the doctors save at least one Syrian whose ancestors saved an Armenian during the Genocide, our mission will have surely justified itself,” the prime minister added.