YEREVAN. – The interest towards the Russian language is wide and traditional in Armenia, Education and Science Minister Armen Ashotyan stated on Thursday. 

As per Ashotyan, the long-standing ties between Armenia and Russia and their cultures play a role in this regard.

“To the query [of] which foreign language do you speak the best, the majority of the population of Armenia mentions Russian,” the minister stated. 

He added, however, that it is difficult to imagine delegations from Washington, DC., or London, arriving in Armenia, and with a request to promote the study of the English language in the country.

“The interest in this language [English] is so great in the whole world that there is no need for [taking] administrative measures here,” Ashotyan noted. 

In all likelihood, according to the minister, this is Russia’s wish, and the demand for the knowledge of Russian must depend on the economic factor, too.

“This factor is quite important in Armenia’s case, since hundreds—if not, thousands—of Russian companies operate here [in Armenia]. Russian is indispensable for everyone [in the country]. I believe the youth [in Armenia] should know at least two foreign languages, and one [of them] should be Russian,” Armen Ashotyan maintained.