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There are no threats facing the Armenian-Russian relations, but some issues do exist in the lower level of relations, political scientist Suren Sargsyan said at Friday's discussion addressing the ties between the two states.

“These issues need to be worked on continuously and settled. But Armenia fails to voice them, while Russia raises them in different formats on numerous occasions,” he said. “While there is mutual understanding and trust between the leaders of the two states, there is a lack of confidence in Armenian partners in various fields in lower levels. The prime minister should work in this direction so that his teammates are able to act the way he does in Russia, i.e. to hold meetings and communicate in free, relaxed atmosphere.” 

According to Sargsyan, the United States has no interference in Armenia’s affairs, and in general, runs passive politics in South Caucasus. “I don’t think the United States is carrying out some kind of active actions in Armenia that could irritate Russia,” he said.

The expert didn’t rule out a price change for Russian natural gas supplied to Armenia. He recalled the practice of past years when the gas price would grow after winter and before the price rise Armenian leaders would hold talks with the Russian authorities to have it postponed for several months.

“The prime minister is leaving for Moscow in a few days to meet Vladimir Putin. I think he will request a review of  the gas price. I find it hard to say whether Russia will agree on it or not,” he said.

Political analyst Tevan Poghosyan also agreed with the claims that there are no problems in the Armenian-Russian relations, stressing the strategic partnership with Armenia also lies in Russia’s interests.

He called for more active cooperation with Russian information sources.