There should be no exclusivity in Armenia's relations with Russia, it is just one of many partner countries. This was announced today, July 30, by Prime Minister of the Republic Nikol Pashinyan.
"There is an exclusivity component here. The problem is the following: either the relationship is exclusive, or it is not a relationship. There should be no such thing, we do not accept such an approach," Pashinyan said, answering a question about the causes of problems in relations between Yerevan and Moscow.
According to him, Armenia's approach is that relations are not exclusive, but relations should be.
"We ask Armenia to approach this positioning with respect and understanding, especially when its legitimacy is not questioned. We are told: "you can have an alternative, but solve it now." However, this alternative has not yet been formed. The process of forming an alternative has just begun," Pashinyan said.
Commenting on Russia's call to hold a referendum on EU membership as soon as possible, Pashinyan noted that so far there are no reasons for a referendum.
"For a referendum, Armenia should at least apply (to the European Union), not to mention have the status of a candidate," Pashinyan said.
As EADaily reported, the need to hold a referendum in Armenia on joining the EU is stated in a joint statement adopted at the summit of the leaders of the EAEU countries held in Astana on May 29. Before that, Russian President Vladimir Putin told Pashinyan about the referendum. After Pashinyan's actual refusal, the Rosselkhoznadzor banned the supply of agricultural products from Armenia to Russia. Flowers, fruits and vegetables, as well as fish were banned due to non-compliance with sanitary standards. Then Nikol Pashinyan promised to personally pay all losses to Armenian farmers and redirect goods to the EU market. Nothing of the promised was done.