We Are Not Keeping The Border Closed, But That Is Russia's Policy: Mnatsakanyan Talks to Protesters

Those going abroad for work and citizens living in Russia want to go to the Russian Federation, but due to closed borders, they do not have the opportunity, which is why today they are holding a demonstration in front of the Government.

Participants of the protest rallied in front of the Government and met with Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan. The initial conversation escalated into an argument as citizens spoke in quite a loud tone. In response, Mnatsakanyan noted that he took the trouble to stand there and urged citizens to converse together. "We are not keeping the border closed, but that is Russia’s policy that they do not accept. Russia implements this policy for all countries. Armenia’s policy is such that any citizen of Armenia, if they want to return, can do so without any obstacles. As for those going out of Armenia, they need to consider what kind of policy that country has regarding accepting non-citizens into their territory. For example, we do not accept citizens of other countries into ours, although we have eased those conditions somewhat. But we also had our own policy of keeping borders closed for other citizens due to the state of emergency,” he stated.