19:31, 2 March 2023
YEREVAN, MARCH 2, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan assures that sanctions against Russia are not circumvented through Armenia, ARMENPRESS reports, Pashinyan said at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, referring to the question of the possibility of bypassing sanctions against Russia through 3rd countries, including Armenia, and the observation that EU trade with Armenia has increased.
"As a democratic country and as a country for which transparency is very important, we have told all our Western partners and we are telling them that we are ready and transparent in this matter. Yes, the numbers are changing, the numbers are changing all over the world, because the logistics chains, relationships are changing. Not only the imports from the EU to Armenia have increased, but also the exports from Armenia to the EU countries have increased," said the Prime Minister.
He emphasized that Armenia is interested in establishing relations with the EU.
Referring to the rumors about circumventing the sanctions, Pashinyan emphasized. "They are nothing more than mere rumors. The reality is just the opposite. Last spring, a western owner took possession of an aircraft used by one of the Russian airlines from Armenia. And this, I think, is the most direct and clear example when we have shown that, respecting all our relations, all our partners, the legality of actions and activities is of fundamental importance to us."
Pashinyan does not think that a country where such a thing has happened can be blamed for any other shady circumstances. On the other hand, the Prime Minister emphasized that they will follow the events with all their attention to help the private sector not to engage in such activities that could spoil Armenia’s relations with any partner.