YEREVAN. – Russian Ambassador Ivan Volinkin made a statement and received its official response, Armenia Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Manasaryan said on Thursday.

“The statement was followed by a formal response by the [Armenian] MFA. It is difficult to make any other assessment beyond that scope,” Manasaryan noted.     

He added that the Russian diplomat is free in his actions, and the Armenia MFA, for its part, has responded to them. 
Russian Ambassador to Armenia Ivan Volinkin had spoken with Russian-Armenian newspaper Noev Kovcheg.

“I am convinced that Russia should be more active in asserting its presence in the information field here in Armenia. But other methods are also apparently needed for neutralizing those NGOs in Armenia that want to drive a wedge into Russian-Armenian relations. Incidentally, Russia has enacted a law that regulates the work of NGOs in a very concrete manner. Ultimately, it is apparent that those who aim their actions against the Russian-Armenian friendship, do not wish the best for Russia and Armenia,” the Russian diplomat had specifically stated.    

And in response to the RFE/RL Armenian service query, Armenia MFA Spokesperson Tigran Balayan had said that hardly any NGO could drive a wedge into Russian-Armenian relations, which are based on the century-long friendship that has withstood the test of time. “All organizations registered in Armenia are functioning within the framework of Armenia’s law,” Balayan had concluded.