Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan, during a TV interview with IRIB, Iran's Radio and Television  World Service today, said that his administration’s recent pro-western foreign policy tilt doesn’t signify that Armenia is turning its back on its neighbors to the east.

“This regional diversity also creates opportunities for us to be integrated not only with the West, but also with the East. We do not want our relations with the East to diminish or weaken; we want these relations to deepen.,” Pashinyan responded whether Armenia’s “pro-Westernism” will affect its relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Pashinyan said Armenia’s relations with Iran are “very important”.

“We want our relations with the Islamic world to continue deepening, because as I said, this stems from our balanced and balancing foreign policy.”

When asked what Armenia’s position would be if threats arise against Iran, Pashinyan asked for the IRIB to clarify what he meant by the term “threats.”

“It is necessary to clarify what you mean by saying threat, but we have said that the Republic of Armenia will not be involved in any action against the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Pashinyan responded, adding that “ Iran's security is extremely important to us.”

Pashinyan said Armenia wants to host more tourists from Iran.

“When will this happen? When there is good natural economic development, stability, and security in the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Pashinyan noted.

The IRIB interviewer then asked Pashinyan about the strategic cooperation agreement Armenia recently signed with the U.S. and how hopeful he is about its implementation. The interviewer added that Iran has had a “bitter experience” when dealing with the U.S.

“We hope that this agreement will be implemented and brought to life, and in the context of this cooperation, no threats will be formed or added for our region, but on the contrary, the opportunities that have always existed will be further highlighted. This is of course not easy, but as I said, it has never been easy and will never be easy, we simply need to find ways, paths, and the will to create and use these opportunities,” Pashinyan said.

When asked why a peace deal with Azerbaijan has stalled, Pashinyan said there are still two articles in the draft peace treaty on which the two countries have not yet been able to reach an agreement.

See full interview here.