Armenian-Russian strategic cooperation not to be called into question

“Any job should be done as quickly and well as possible. If we have decided to join the Customs Union, then we should do it rapidly. Why linger? The national interest forms the basis of our decision so we should implement this decision as soon as possible,” Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said at a joint press conference with Czech President Milos Zeman, when responding to a question about the rapid pace of Yerevan’s accession to the Customs Union.

According to S. Sargsyan, Armenia’s entry into the Customs Union does not rule out further cooperation with the European Union.

“We will continue to cooperate with the EU and use it as a good means of continuing reforms in Armenia. We will cooperate with the EU more intensively than previously,” S. Sargsyan said.

When asked about Yerevan’s reaction to the delivery of modern arms to Azerbaijan by Armenia’s strategic partner – Russia, the Armenian president said that ‘Armenian-Russian strategic cooperation should not be called into question”.

“Russia cooperates with Azerbaijan, but it does not mean that we have a right and an opportunity to prohibit that cooperation”,” S. Sargsyan noted.

According to him, the Armenian side is in full control of the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

‘There are all opportunities to protect our borders and ensure their impregnability. Our opportunities were created and are now being increased with Russia’s efforts,” the Armenian president stated.

The press conference of the Armenian and Czech presidents was aired live by the RFE/RL Armenian Service.