Zakharova: Moscow cannot remain indifferent to political processes  taking place in Armenia

ArmInfo.Moscow does not interfere in Armenia's internal affairs or the activities of its law enforcement agencies, but it cannot remain indifferent to the  political processes taking place there. This was stated by Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova during a briefing on August 27, when asked to comment on the detention of political figures with opposition views in Armenia.

"Of course, we do not interfere in the internal affairs of sovereign  states, including Armenia, or in the activities of its law  enforcement agencies. We continue to consider Armenia a fraternal  country, with whose people we have a special relationship that has  been shaped over centuries. Therefore, we cannot remain indifferent  to the political processes taking place there, especially when they  are, in one way or another, carried out under slogans related to  bilateral relations with our country," Zakharova said.

She then regretfully noted the continuation of the negative trend  that Russian President Vladimir Putin highlighted during his meeting  with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Moscow on April 1.   Specifically, she noted, the escalation of genuine repression against  political forces and figures who advocate for maintaining and  strengthening allied relations with Russia.

"This clearly contradicts Armenian society's demand for the  progressive development of bilateral ties, which was clearly evident  in the parliamentary elections held in June. This suggests the  politicized nature of the aforementioned actions by Armenian security  forces. This destructive approach by the Armenian authorities stands  in stark contrast to official Yerevan's public assurances that they  are not taking steps to worsen, as they claim, relations with  Russia," the Russian diplomat continued.

"We expect that political parties and blocs, municipal leaders,  public figures, and activists in Armenia who are making efforts to  strengthen traditional bilateral cooperation will be able to calmly  participate in the country's domestic political life and contribute  to its development and prosperity," Zakharova said.

She also noted the fact that the tightening of pressure on  politicians and public figures with a constructive outlook on Russia  is being ignored by those political forces that claim to be bringing  democracy to Armenia.

"This is further confirmation that the new so-called friends of the  Armenian authorities continue to turn a blind eye to anything that in  any way contributes to the EU's goals with regard to Armenia, namely,  cynically exploiting the Republic, its potential, and its citizens in  their confrontation with Russia," Zakharova concluded. -0-

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be renamed the Ministry of  Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. The goal of the changes is a more  effective combination of foreign policy and economic cooperation. It  was noted that the priorities of Armenia's foreign economic policy,  the expansion of international economic cooperation, and development  in international trade require that the functions and name of the  Ministry fully reflect the political priority and importance of this  area.