Moscow and Yerevan openly discuss differences in positions on various issues – Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on May 21 that Moscow and Yerevan are discussing, as openly as possible, the issues on which the two countries have different positions.

"I would like to say right away that, in accordance with the instructions of our leaders, we are discussing very openly not only the issues positively perceived by both capitals  that contribute to building mutually beneficial projects, but also the topics on which we have differing views, particularly regarding the processes unfolding in the South Caucasus," Lavrov said.

He added that in recent years, certain nuances have emerged in Russian-Armenian relations concerning how the two sides view the further development of their allied and strategic partnership, including within the framework of the CSTO, CIS, and EAEU.

"Today, we are following up on the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan last fall, during which our leaders agreed to fully restore contacts across all areas, as they had somewhat weakened prior to that meeting. Following their agreement, I received Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in Moscow in January of this year, and now we are here on a return visit," the Russian Foreign Minister said.

Sergey Lavrov arrived in Armenia on an official visit on May 20. On May 21, he met with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and held a joint press conference. Lavrov is also scheduled to meet with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and President Vahagn Khachaturyan.