Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has reaffirmed that theArmenian authorities have no intention of creating tensions inrelations with Russia.

Mirzoyan addressed the current state of Armenia-Russia relationsduring a press conference on May 26.

“We have absolutely no desire to create tensions in Armenia-Russiarelations, in political dialogue, or in economic ties – neitherbilaterally nor within multilateral platforms of cooperation such asthe EAEU, the CIS and elsewhere. All issues that have arisen or mayarise – and problems emerge from time to time in any relationship – wehope and are committed to discussing in a healthy, constructive andpartnership-based atmosphere in order to find solutions,” Mirzoyansaid.

According to the foreign minister, there is a tendency to linkexport-related issues involving certain Armenian goods shipped toRussia with bilateral relations or with Armenia’s pro-European andpro-Western policies or choices, although such problems have alwaysexisted.

Mirzoyan said that anyone making the effort could also find examplesof difficulties involving exports of fruit, vegetables or alcoholicbeverages from Armenia to Russia dating back five to 25 years.

At the same time, the foreign minister stressed that Armenia hasrepeatedly and publicly stated the need for economic diversification.

“Diversification is necessary for us, and we must continue takingsteps to find new markets, consumer markets and sources of supply,”Mirzoyan concluded.