Interfax – Russia & CIS Military Newswire
Tuesday 11:04 AM MSK
Armenia wants to develop relations with U.S. but won't back anti-Iranian sanctions – parliament speaker
YEREVAN. July 16
Armenia cannot join sanctions against Iran even though it is interested in further developing relations with the United States, Armenian Parliament Speaker Ararat Mirzoyan said at the Atlantic Council in the United States on Tuesday.
"We wouldn't like the U.S. to put pressure on Armenia with the aim of drawing it into the anti-Iranian sanctions agenda. Armenia can't pay such a price," Mirzoyan said.
Tensions in U.S.-Iranian relations are having a negative effect on the Armenian economy, Mirzoyan said, according to the Voice of America radio station.
Armenia is interested in further developing relations with the U.S., he said.
"Our relations should be moved from the level of diplomatic declaration to the level of clear relations as partners. It is necessary to build an agenda that will help achieve concrete goals," he said.
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