YEREVAN. – Outgoing Acting Foreign Minister of Armenia Ara Aivazian on Monday had a farewell meeting with the Foreign Ministry staff, the ministry informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.
In his speech, Aivazian noted as follows, in particular: "We had no right to take a step for which our people and our history would not have forgiven us in the future.
When I took office, I declared that [Armenian] diplomacy is not defeated, and I still insist to this day that our diplomacy is not defeated.
I believe our international partners have realized that Armenia is not defeated, Artsakh [(Nagorno-Karabakh)] is not defeated, the Armenians are not defeated; our enemies also have realized this.
It was very difficult for me to make this decision; but when I assumed this position, there was a criterion for me: This ministry, which is the birth of independence, shall steadfastly defend our sovereignty, our independence, our state, national interests. (…) and my decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason (…).”