Speaker Simonyan comments on Armenian participation in CIS and BRICS summits

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. The Alma-Ata Declaration, which is the basis for ongoing peace talks with Azerbaijan, is a fundamental document of the CIS, thus Armenia cannot abandon the organization, Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan has said.

“The Alma-Ata Declaration is one of the foundations of the CIS, with which Armenia is working in negotiations directions. And we can’t abandon a format whose main document is placed as the foundation in our main negotiations. This is highly important also in terms of security,” Simonyan said when asked on the decision to participate in the CIS informal summit.

Asked about Armenia’s participation in the upcoming BRICS summit, Simonyan said Armenia has important economic ties with some members of the organization. “In this situation, when various sanctions are in place, various ways are sought by countries and superpowers to somehow shift economic flows, and Armenia must participate pursuant to its own interests,” Simonyan said.

He dismissed opinions that by doing so Armenia is taking a step back from the path towards the EU.

“The Armenian government and the people are of the same opinion. We shouldn’t fall from one extreme to another. Our value system and logic hasn’t anyhow changed. It will be a path in line with Armenia’s economy, rights and value system. And this direction continues,” the Speaker said.