ArmInfo. What Russian aid did the Armenian authorities refuse in overcoming the consequences of the natural disaster in the north of the country?
This logical question arises against the background of the message spread by a number of Armenian sources that the RA Ambassador in Moscow, Vagharshak Harutyunyan, after consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic, informed the Russian official bodies the Armenian side would cope with the consequences of the natural disaster in the Lori and Tavush regions on its own and did not need Russian aid.
This message contradicts the statement made on May 30 by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at a government meeting on May 30.
"Russia has promised to help repair the railway damaged by the flood in the Lori and Tavush regions of Armenia. Russian partners have assured that the railway will be restored as soon as possible, which is very important," Pashinyan noted. He specified that Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan had agreed on this at a meeting with the management of Russian Railways on May 29. This message also differs from what was said by official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova at a briefing on May 30.
"We really saw a positive reaction, and we repeat again that all the proposals that were previously voiced are still standing. And as allies, we are always ready to lend a shoulder based on Yerevan's needs," Zakharova noted.
The representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry recalled that the Russian-Armenian Humanitarian Response Center immediately joined the work to eliminate the consequences of the flood, handing over the necessary equipment to the Armenian Ministry of Internal Affairs. According to her, the Russian Defense Ministry expressed its readiness to provide assistance with the involvement of forces and resources of the 102nd base, and a number of Russian companies operating in the territory of the Republic of Armenia are considering the issue of providing assistance to the Armenian side.
"In particular, South Caucasus Railway CJSC, which services the Yerevan-Tbilisi route, is actively engaged in restarting the railway service interrupted by the flood. Our specialists of various profiles have been sent to the site. Together with the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, we are looking for solutions to the truly difficult problems associated with the restoration of infrastructure," Zakharova said, adding that Russia will provide all necessary assistance to restore normal life in the region.