Armenia will not become a periphery, and Belarusian model of governance is unacceptable for my country: Alen Simonyan
Today in parliament, journalists asked National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan to comment on a statement made by the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding his earlier remarks.
Simonyan declined to comment, saying that Belarus is Belarus and Armenia is Armenia. “I will not comment. Would you live in Belarus? Everyone has their own country; I am responsible for mine,” said the Speaker of the National Assembly.
In response to a follow-up question on whether such statements could further worsen relations between the two countries, he said that, in his opinion, it is the disrespectful attitude toward Armenia, toward a partner, and toward Armenia’s statehood that worsens relations, as well as the preparation of the 44-day war with Azerbaijan.
“Many different things worsen relations, and the political course is a matter of choice for each state. For the Republic of Armenia, human rights and freedoms are the most important values, and I believe that each state chooses its own model. We have chosen the path of democratization; they have chosen a somewhat different path, one unlike Armenia,” he noted.
Responding to a journalist’s remark that he does not formulate his statements in a diplomatic manner, the Speaker observed that this is clearly part of his character and temperament. “Moreover, I am a parliamentary figure and am freer than representatives of any executive body,” he said.
As for the protest note issued by the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he said he had read the news and had no further information. “Armenia will not become a periphery, Armenia will not be politically dependent, Armenia will raise the level of its sovereignty, and the Belarusian model of governance is unacceptable for my country and for me,” Alen Simonyan stated. According to him, Armenia is a free country with a free media, human rights, and the rule of law.
Earlier it was reported that on May 5, Artur Sargsyan, Chargé d’Affaires of Armenia in Belarus, was summoned to the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Armenian diplomat was issued a strong protest and handed a corresponding note in connection with what was described as recent unfriendly actions by the Armenian side.