Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, during a press conference today in Yerevan with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys, said that Yerevan has no intention of divorcing itself from Russia despite its growing ties with Europe.

Mirzoyan, here, was referencing a recent comment made by Russian President Vladimir Putin that the two countries might seek a “civilized divorce” to resolve lingering disagreements regarding Yerevan’s pivot to the West.

Putin sugested that the people of Armenia should decide whether they want to join the European Union via a referendum.

“We understand very well - and we do not need Russia to tell us - that membership in the Eurasian Economic Union and membership in the European Union are incompatible. It is impossible to remain in the Eurasian Economic Union and become a member of the European Union at the same time” Mirzoyan said, adding that Yerevan will finally decide which direction to make at the appropriate time. 

“In all other respects, we are inclined toward continuing positive, healthy cooperation in all directions, based on mutual respect and mutual interests,” Mirzoyan concluded.

The two foreign ministers met earlier today and, according to Mirzoyan’s office, discussed prospects for economic cooperation, particularly in the fields of information technologies, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.

Armenia and Lithuania signed a document elevating the level of relations to that of strategic partners.

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