Unfortunately, official Yerevan, succumbing to the persuasion of pro-Westerners, is trying to reformulate its foreign policy line. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with “TASS”.

He noted that in order to justify the course of the strategic turn, Europe is trying to blame Russia for all the troubles of Armenia, including the loss of Karabakh.

“Armenia has been and remains a strategic partner for us in the South Caucasus. We are convinced that all difficulties are temporary and will be overcome if there is political will. It is the sustainable and systematic development of Russian-Armenian ties that meets the fundamental interests of the peoples of our two states, who have common values ​​and a single cultural code,” Lavrov said.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasized that trade and economic ties and industrial dialogue between Moscow and Yerevan are developing at an impressive pace. “Armenia is currently facing a number of challenges. Moreover, it will not be possible to stop them with the help of Western players. The USA and the EU, unlike Russia, do not seek to bring peace and stability to the republic and to the South Caucasus as a whole. Their task is completely different – to oust Moscow and other regional powers, to create a new source of tension after the Balkans, the Middle East and Ukraine. The way out of the difficult situation is obvious – to implement the trilateral agreements of Yerevan, Baku and Moscow at the highest level.”

Lavrov considered the discussions on the expediency of the 102nd Russian military base on the territory of Armenia harmful. The agreement on its deployment there was concluded on 16 March, 1995, based primarily on national interests and the common goal of our states to strengthen stability in the South Caucasus.

“Recently, Yerevan has been developing cooperation with NATO and its individual member countries. This year, Armenia took part in several dozen events with the alliance. It continues to modernize its armed forces according to NATO standards; the military personnel of the republic are undergoing training in a number of states of the North Atlantic bloc.

This cannot but cause us concern. We have repeatedly drawn the attention of our Armenian partners that NATO’s real goal is to strengthen its position in the region and create conditions for manipulation according to the “divide and conquer” scheme. I hope that Yerevan realizes that the deepening of cooperation with the alliance will lead to the loss of sovereignty in the field of national defense and security,” Lavrov said.