REPUBLICAN PARTY SPOKESMAN: ‘THERE CAN BE NO TALK OF RUSSIAN PRESSURE’

Grisha Balasanyan

14:12, September 4, 2013

Hovhannes Sahakyan, Secretary of the ruling Republican Party
parliamentary faction told Hetq that President Sargsyan’s statement
yesterday that Armenian would join a Russian-led Customs Union should
have been expected.

“We are already included in a Russian security network, and thus
cannot remain aloof from any economic ties,” said Sahakyan.

The faction secretary said that Armenia would continue to cooperate
with the European Union and that Armenia’s joining the Customs Union
couldn’t upset such ties.

“We have said on numerous occasions that we are willing to deepen
our relations with the European Union to the extent that it is willing.

You know, there are different criteria and 28 nations. What road did
they take to become members? Thus, I believe the issue isn’t only in
our backyard,” Sahakyan said.

When I brought up the comments of certain EU member state
representatives, claiming that Russia had pressured Armenia, Sahakyan
said he regarded such talk as strange.

“Today, we have an established country, government and, most
importantly, a democratic state. We also have a skilled and experienced
leader who defends the interests of Armenia. Exerting pressure,
in such conditions, is impossible,” Sahakyan stressed.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress