ArmInfo.Fearing sanctions is not quite a good stance, but work is necessary, Armenia's Premier Nikol Pashinyan stated at a plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia, as he answered a question about his fears of secondary sanctions by the West because of Armenia's intensified contacts with Russia.
He pointed out a need to find ways of managing the potential risks and of taking opportunities.
"We are concerned over food and energy security issues. We have high inflation in our country as well, which affects the social situation. But our general situation is under control. We have no crisis. But I would like to emphasize it is due to Russia's support," Mr Pashinyan said.
The first half of his year was marked by serious concerns over a number of issues not only within the Eurasian Economic Union and in the bilateral format. "But we have maintained active contacts, and I am impressed by the Russian leadership's prompt response to the Armenian side's requests. It is most important partnership," Mr Pashinyan said.
The major security concern in the South Caucasus is that some forces that believe that Russia, as a key security factor, is too busy with Ukraine, which could be used to destabilize the situation in the region.
"Interestingly, some forces are wasting much energy to show Armenia to Russia as a country of pro- Western orientation and to Europe as a country of a strongly pro-Russian government. And they are doing so to justify destabilization in out region. I am glad hat we are in contact with our partners trying to clarify out positions on all the issues on the international agenda. Of course, our relations with Russia have remained and must remain a strategic alliance, and I hope this factor will be a key one for regional stability and pace," he said.
