People, These Are the Rules of That Country: Foreign Minister Meets Citizens Demanding to Go to Russia

Citizens demanding to travel to the Russian Federation marched from the Government building to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to continue their protest action, where they were met by Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan.

The minister stated that discussions and negotiations with Russia are ongoing at this moment, but he could not say when the borders would open. “There are numerous examples, countless situations where Russian citizens have expressed a desire to go, and Georgia says, ‘We won’t let you cross with vehicles.' We have organized, we have reached some agreement that we would create a certain status, but those were Russian citizens and they were allowed. Now, in this case, they are not allowing anyone. People, these are the rules of that country. Besides Armenia, there are 192 other countries. Please, let’s be clear; I am not giving you empty promises. The pandemic will pass, everything will be fine. You came and said you want to go to Russia; understand that everyone is trying to solve this issue,” he said.

One of the citizens responded that in Belarus, the pandemic is also not retreating, yet the border with Russia is open. The minister replied, “That is their decision; there is a different status there. The problem is known, it is understandable, but the solution is not immediately available because it pertains to the decisions of another country.” When asked what discussions are going on with Russia, Mnatsakanyan said, “Not only in direction of Russia, but in general, tomorrow another group like yours may come and say, ‘Let us go to Europe.’ I remind you that there is a global pandemic. The situation is not yet such that the rule will change. We make our decisions based on the needs of our country because our primary target is to reduce and prevent this pandemic in our country.”

Mnatsakanyan emphasized that he cannot promise them that the borders will open soon: “We will not be able to reach any agreement. You say, ‘Let us go now,’ that is not possible. I will not give you any promises because it would be a lie to promise you.” One citizen told the minister that his answer does not satisfy them, and the minister agreed: “It is natural, you want to go.”