Such issue can't be discussed in Armenia - Speaker on article claiming Russia wants Armenia to join Union State

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 4, ARMENPRESS. Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan says there can’t be any discussion in Armenia on becoming part of the Union State between Russia and Belarus.

Reporters in parliament asked Simonyan to comment on an article published by the Armenian Times, which said that “Russia wants from Armenia almost what it wants from Ukraine, for it to become part of the Russia-Belarus Union State or part of Russia.” Simonyan was asked whether or not Russia is actually demanding Armenia to do so. “I have not been present at any such conversation with my Russian colleagues. There is no such conversation and can’t be for me. Armenia’s independence and sovereignty are not subject to discussion. I rule out that such thing could exist without my knowledge,” Simonyan answered.

“Such an issue can’t even be discussed in the Republic of Armenia,” he added.

Asked to comment whether or not Russia could have such desire, Simonyan said: “I don’t know whether there is [such desire] in Russia, some desires could exist in Azerbaijan and in Turkey also, I can’t speak about their desires. I say again, I haven’t witnessed any such conversation and it is not a subject of discussion for me. I have said this again and again, and I will repeat, Armenia’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity are not subject to discussion.”