Video: Pashinyan on Negotiations and Tensions in Russian-Turkish Relations

“I believe that anywhere, any relationship, tension cannot have a positive impact,” Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated at a press conference today, July 25. “On the other hand, we shouldn’t overestimate the notion of tension, as we see that Russia and Turkey, despite some disagreements, are cooperating very actively. All countries have their own contradictions; the issue is how much those contradictions escalate into a confrontational logic,” said Prime Minister Pashinyan.

He also mentioned that, generally speaking, Armenia has operated under a confrontational logic throughout its statehood, which represents our greatest problem in every aspect—security, development, and international influence. “In that logic, we essentially have not been able, and will not be able, to ensure our long-term development and security,” he stated.

Regarding expectations from today’s meeting of the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Moscow, Pashinyan said: “Those meetings are not isolated meetings. I expect from our side, the Armenian Foreign Minister and other colleagues, that they will be able to agree on several articles of a possible peace agreement and be able to reach some solution on the opening of the Lachin corridor,” Pashinyan noted.