Official Yerevan changing time-tested alliance with Moscow for the West`s vague promises - Russian FM

ArmInfo. Regrettably, official Yerevan, succumbing to the persuasion of Westerners, is trying to reformat its foreign policy line. It is changing the time-tested alliance with Moscow not even for specific help from the West, but for the West's vague promises, Russian FM Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with TASS as he spoke of further Russian-Armenian relations in the context of the problems of recent months.

According to him, to justify the course of a strategic turn, they are trying to blame Russia for all the troubles of the republic, including the loss of Nagorno-Karabakh.

"We have repeatedly spoken about Russian concerns publicly - there is no point in now again listing the unfriendly steps of the Armenian authorities.

Armenia has been and remains a strategic partner for us in the South Caucasus. We are convinced that all difficulties are temporary and will be overcome if there is political will. It is the sustainable and systematic development of Russian-Armenian ties that meets the fundamental interests of the peoples of our two states, who have common values and a common cultural code," said the Russian minister.

Lavrov also recalled that trade and economic ties and industry dialogue are developing at an impressive pace between Moscow and Yerevan. Lavrov stated that this is the foundation for relations between the two countries, as well as the most important help for the sustainability of the Armenian economy and the well- being of the population of Armenia. The Russian diplomat noted that the rapid

growth of the republic's GDP in recent years is largely due to cooperation with Russia and Yerevan's membership in the Eurasian Economic Union. On December 14-15, the 22nd session of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation, co-chaired by the vice-premiers, took place in Yerevan. He added that next year Armenia will chair the EAEU, and in this vein he wished success to his Armenian colleagues.

"Armenia is now facing a number of challenges. Moreover, they cannot be stopped with the help of Western players. The USA and the EU, unlike Russia, do not seek to bring peace and stability to the republic and the South Caucasus as a whole. Their task is completely different - to oust Moscow and other regionals, create a new source of tension after the Balkans, the Middle East and Ukraine. The way out of this difficult situation is obvious - to implement the trilateral agreements of Yerevan, Baku and Moscow at the highest level," the Russian minister further said.