ArmInfo. Armenia does not intend to adopt the Russian language as the second state language, Armenia's Education Minister Levon Mkrtchyan told journalists commenting on the prospect of giving a state status to Russian language in Armenia.
"I want everyone to realize once for all that Armenia's official language is Armenian, which is the basic value of the country's independence and our law "On Language" is not subject to amendments", he stated. At the same time Mkrtchyan noted that if Armenia intends to develop scientific-educational potential of the country beside excellent knowledge of the Armenian language the citizens should speak foreign language as well.
According to the Minister Armenia is a member the EEU, communication language of which is Russian, besides we have military-political cooperation with Russia and knowledge of Russian language is a necessity but this does not mean at all that we should adopt it as second language, Mkrtchyan stated.
Levon Mkrtchyan admitted the fact that Russian language is the most widespread foreign language in Armenia. "We are interested in its development and strengthening but at the same time we are interested in developing teaching of English language. At the same time I personally am very concerned that we gradually lose command of German and French languages", the Education Minister of Armenia stated. To note, earlier Ambassador for Special Assignments of the Russian Foreign Ministry Eleonora Mitrofanova stated that the Russian language should be given legislative status in the countries of former Soviet Union.