RA MFA: Despite some disagreements on number of issues,  Armenian-Russian relations continue to develop

ArmInfo. The opening of its consulate in Kapan by the Russian Federation is aimed at developing  decentralized cooperation with Armenia, including in the fields of energy, transport and other areas. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Paruyr Hovhannisyan shares this point of view.

In a conversation with journalists, he noted that decisions by states  to open their consulates are made based on the degree of necessity  and various circumstances, including economic, political and other  benefits. The same can be said for Iran, which opened its consulate  in Kapan, and for France, which announced the same intentions.  When  asked that both Iran and France have confirmed the territorial  integrity of Armenia, which Russia has not done, and what dividends  Moscow intends to receive from the opening of the consulate, the  deputy minister emphasized that, of course, there is a political  component that indicates interest in this region with all the ensuing  consequences. Hovhannisyan pointed out that the Russian Federation  also has its consulate in Gyumri, which indicates the country's  involvement in the region.

Speaking about the contradictions that arose with the Russian  Federation, Hovhannisyan noted that such disagreements could arise  with any state. For example, Yerevan expressed extreme  dissatisfaction with the EU with the delay in the issue of visa  liberalization, which does not mean a crisis in relations between  Armenia and the European Union. "Despite some disagreements on a  number of issues, relations between Armenia and Russia continue to  develop," the Deputy Foreign Minister said.

He noted that he does not have official information about the  possibility of a meeting of  foreign ministers of Armenia and  Azerbaijan in Moscow.

The deputy minister also touched upon the issue of the Rome Statute,  the ratification of which by the Armenian parliament caused a sharply  negative reaction from Moscow. As Hovhannisyan noted, The Armenian  side proposed to the Russian side to sign a separate agreement to  avoid misunderstandings. A similar arrangement was previously agreed  upon with the United States, which also has problems with the Rome  Statute. The agreement with the USA has been signed and is being  applied. Yerevan proposed the same thing to Moscow, to which there is  no official reaction yet. "I believe that this process continues,"  the representative of the RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Commenting at the request of journalists on today's statement by the  Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Arart Mirzoyan  about the occupation of 240 sq. km of Armenian territory by  Azerbaijan, while previously it was stated about 150 sq. km,  Hovhannisyan noted that the calculation is approximate.