YEREVAN. – The Armenian-Russian friendship is of great value for all Armenians, and the development of these relations is a priority of Armenia’s foreign policy.

Non-pro-government Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) Press Secretary and MP Tigran Urikhanyan told the aforesaid to Armenian News-NEWS.am, commenting on the recent statement by Russian Ambassador to Armenia Ivan Volinkin.  

In Urikhanyan’s words, the Russian diplomat has expressed himself in a specific manner and he meant those organizations that want to drive a wedge into Armenian-Russian relations.

“I think that there is a need to review the activities of all those organizations that drive a wedge into this friendship,” Urikhanyan said.

He also expressed a view that the Russian ambassador’s statement cannot be considered an interference in the internal affairs of Armenia, since it is directly related to Armenia-Russia relations.

Russian Ambassador to Armenia Ivan Volinkin recently 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.  

This statement by Ivan Volinkin had caused an outrage among many in Armenia.