Pashinyan says Russia’s import restrictions are encouraged by Armenian opposition

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that import restrictions imposed by Russia on Armenian goods are being encouraged and requested by certain opposition circles in Armenia.

Pashinyan linked this to the “secret plan” to achieve a change of government in Armenia, which Strong Armenia Alliance leader Samvel Karapetyan had spoken about earlier.

While presenting the government program in parliament, Pashinyan spoke about Armenia’s relations with Russia, stressing that the Armenian government’s goal is dialogue aimed at mutually beneficial, multifaceted cooperation with Russia, as well as transforming, developing and deepening relations through a balanced foreign policy and under new conditions for establishing peace in the region.

“This is not an easy process, but we will move forward along this path without stirring up emotions. But it must be said directly: the import restrictions that Russia is imposing on Armenia are being encouraged and requested by the opposition, which has undertaken before certain circles in Russia to carry out a change of government in Armenia and assured those circles that the imposition of restrictions would guarantee their victory in the June 7 elections. The same circles in Armenia are now assuring those same circles in Russia that if the restrictions continue and are tightened further, they will carry out a change of government through street protests. The ‘secret plan’ that one of the leaders of the three-headed war party spoke about is precisely this. According to this plan, with the support of their sponsors, economic restrictions should be introduced to such an extent that a socio-economic crisis would begin in Armenia, so that the people would stage a social revolt against the government. This is the essence of the ‘secret plan,’” Pashinyan explained.

Pashinyan said several similar plans had already failed in the past.

The prime minister said he was confident that this one would fail as well.

“Because the people of Armenia will not surrender their statehood, independence and sovereignty to the mafia, and Armenia’s economy will continue its dynamic development,” Pashinyan stressed.

Following the June 7 parliamentary elections in Armenia, Strong Armenia Alliance leader Samvel Karapetyan said during one of his briefings with journalists that they had a “secret plan” to achieve a change of government and would proceed according to that plan.