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Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan gave an interview to the Russian Kommersant newspaper, addressing a number of pressing issues in Armenian-Russian relations, the issue of Syrian Armenians’ security, Russian natural gas price, to name a few.

Security of Armenian community in Syria

Commenting on the remarks that the Sochi agreements on Syria addressed, among other things, the security Syrian Armenians, Pashinyan said Qamishli is home to around 3,000 Armenians. According to him, while discussing the matter with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pashinyan had called the Russian leader’s attention to the interests of Armenians particularly in Qamishli amid heightened tensions sparked by Turkish invasion.

Pashinyan had thanked Putin and had expressed hope that the agreements reached would be implemented and that the Armenians’ security would continue to be respected.

"The Russian president made a promise and kept his word," Pashinyan said.

US-funded biolabs in Armenia

Speaking about the US-funded biological laboratories in Armenia and Russian experts’ access to them, Pashinyan said they are working on a memorandum with Russia that will allow Russian specialists to gain access to those laboratories.

“Last year Russian specialists were allowed to access these facilities to make sure that they pose no threat to Russia. Generally, they have no military purpose, but are biological laboratories used for purely medical purposes,” Pashinyan said, adding that these laboratories are Armenia's property, which is very important.

South Caucasus Railway

Addressing the situation around the South Caucasus Railway and the rumors that Russia plans to terminate the agreement on railway management in Armenia, Pashinyan claimed the issue is ‘politicalized by the media’, whereas it is an economic matter concerning the efficiency of investments.

“We actively cooperate with Russian Railways and have a preliminary agreement to make the South Caucasus Railways’ investment project in Armenia more effective. We are discussing the issue with our Russian partners. I do not want to say that I am sure, but I am almost certain that we will come to an agreement,” Pashinyan said, ruling out any preconditions for the termination of the contract.

Russian gas price

Yerevan and Moscow are engaged in dialogue over the price of Russian natural gas supplied to Armenia, Pashinyan said, commenting on the question about possible rise in tariffs.

He said it is a dialogue between strategic allies which will lead to concrete results.

“I am sure. We in Armenia see a very good dynamics of economic growth. This issue is important for us not only in terms of the gas price, but also in terms of economic development. I think it is important for our strategic ally Russia that the gas price doesn’t break the dynamics of Armenia’s economic development,” Pashinyan said.

Arms sales to Azerbaijan

Speaking about Armenia’s permanent focus on the issue of weapons sales to Azerbaijan by member states of the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), Pashinyan said it is a matter of the organization’s efficiency.

The prime minister stressed Armenia’s top priority is to make EAEU more effective and praised Armenia’s successful presidency over the organization.

“Our government and I personally were able to have our strong input into having the EAEU attract more partners worldwide and we shall continue to work on it. It’s also the case with the CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization). Whit is the purpose here? To do our best to make the CSTO – as a security system which is very important for Armenia, Russia and other member states – more effective. I think Russia is pursuing the same goal. We have a common goal with Russia over the CSTO. We are working on it together. This is not an easy task, but I am very happy that as a result of these discussions, the CSTO will truly become more effective for Armenia, Russia and others,” Pashinyan noted.

Official visits to Russia and Armenia

Pashinyan confirmed that he will pay an official visit to Russia in early 2020 to be followed by Russian President Putin’s official visit to Armenia. He said the agreement was reached in Yerevan.