ArmInfo. Do we view the ''Lazarev Club'' as a free platform for exchanging opinions? By today's meeting we want to establish some kind of club traditions, including frank conversation and transparency for the media. On November 30, the first deputy chairman of the Russian State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs and Relations with Compatriots Konstantin Zatulin, summing up the first session, told reporters in Yerevan on the margins of the first plenary session of the Lazarev Club.
He stated that over 200 guests from politicians and experts to journalists from Russia and Armenia were invited to participate in this event.
"We invited everyone, despite the fact that we realized that not all of them can accept it. But we wanted to avoid any reproach to our address, especially in the context of the internal political processes in Armenia, on the eve of the elections, that we give preference to someone either. Then it all depends on the desires of the participants, "he said.
At the same time, Zatulin added that the work of the meeting will continue after the laying of wreaths at the memorial of the victims of the Genocide. "We consider this an important step. Recall that the First State Duma of the RA in 1995 recognized this Genocide, which was not done by other states that have such interest around the world, but cannot come off to recognize the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire, having recognized the non-existent the famine of the Ukrainian people is genocide - I mean the United States, "he said. At the same time, the Russian parliamentarian stressed that during tomorrow's club meeting they expect interesting discussions on Nagorno-Karabakh with the participation of Artsakh President Bako Sahakyan and others.
On the question of whether the office of the Prime Minister of Armenia explained the absence of Pashinyan to the event, due to the fact that he was also invited, Zatulin, in particular, said: "The Prime Minister's office did not explain his absence, but we understood that he was involved on election trips. Probably, that's what explains, "he said.
At the same time, Zatulin reminded that invitations to participate in the event were sent to all the presidents of Armenia, as well as to the current leadership. He also informed that the Russian participants of the event will be received tomorrow by Armenian President Armen Sarkissian, immediately upon returning from a foreign trip.