YEREVAN. –  Armenia was not voting against Ukraine or for Russia during the UN vote on Crimea. Armenia was voting for its principles, Deputy FM Garen Nazarian told reporters.

This was about a fundamental principle of nations' right to self-determination, he explained.

“From the very first day of independence, the Republic of Armenia never questioned the principle of actions' right to self-determination as a fundamental principle of the international law. We did not vote against Ukraine or for Russia. We voted for our principles,” he said.

Asked whether the vote meant we recognized Crimea, Nazarian said: “No, this does not mean recognition”.

The resolution on Ukraine's territorial integrity was adopted by UN General Assembly by 100 votes for and 11 against and 58 abstentions. Armenia, along with Russia, Belarus, Syria, Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Bolivia, Sudan, Zimbabwe and North Korea voted against.