Disregard for Armenian statehood and for Armenia in CSTO-this is what  is spoiling relations with Belarus, says RA NA speaker

ArmInfo. Poor attitude toward Armenian statehood, disrespect for Armenia in the CSTO, preparations for a 44-day war with Azerbaijan, and much more-this is what is  spoiling relations between Armenia and Belarus.

This is what Speaker of the Armenian Parliament Alen Simonyan told  journalists during a briefing on May 6, answering a question about  whether his recent statement would spoil relations with Belarus.

He noted that 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 every state chooses its own  path. We have chosen the path of democracy, but they have chosen a  different path, different from the Armenian one," the Speaker of  Parliament emphasized.

When asked whether he regretted his statements, Simonyan merely  stated that Armenia will not become a province or be politically  dependent, but, on the contrary, intends to strengthen its  sovereignty. He called the Belarusian governance model unacceptable  for Armenia and for him personally. "Armenia is a free country with  free media, human rights, and the rule of law," he emphasized.

As a reminder, days earlier, Alen Simonyan lashed out at Russia on  Armenian Public Television. He stated that Russia is currently  attempting to carry out a political operation to change the Armenian  government.  According to him, "while in Ukraine they are trying to  advance and resolve their interests through armed force, in Armenia  they are attempting a political operation, an attempt to seize  power." Simonyan added that "the Armenian people will not allow  Armenia to be turned into a province" and "Armenia will not be  governed like Belarus."

Following this statement, it was reported yesterday that Artur  Sargsyan, Armenia's Charge d'Affaires in Belarus, was summoned to the  Belarusian Foreign Ministry. The Armenian diplomat was issued a  strong protest and a corresponding note regarding the recent  unfriendly actions of the Armenian side.