Russian deputy PM: Armenia remains close, allied state

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk has said that Armenia is a very close and allied country to Moscow, emphasising the deep and long-standing friendly ties between the two states.

According to Russian media, speaking on the sidelines of the “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum”, he said:

“Armenia is a very close country to us, an allied country. It is a member of the Eurasian Economic Union, the CIS, and the CSTO. And the human ties that unite us are very deep, very serious, very long-standing,” he said. “We have great respect for the Armenian people.”

The Deputy Prime Minister also noted that Russia would understand any choice made by the Armenian people, including a possible closer alignment with the West.

“Of course, as the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, has said on many occasions, we will understand any choice made by the Armenian people,” Overchuk said.

He added that at some stage, the Armenian leadership would have to make a choice between the EU and the Eurasian Economic Union, if Yerevan moves in that direction.