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.