Problem of religious freedoms has always been important issue in context of Armenia's foreign policy, FM says

The problem of religious freedoms has always been one of the important issues in the context of the Armenian foreign policy and the protection of human rights, Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan said on Wednesday at the parliament.

According to Bright Armenia party MP Ani Samsonyan, Armenia had previously joined the US-initiated International Religious Freedom Alliance (IRF Alliance).

"Many observers believe that the organization’s activities are directed against China. As you know, Washington systematically raises the issue of the rights of Uighurs living in Chinese Xinjiang," she noted adding that in Armenia the news of joining the Alliance was perceived ambiguously, and some experts even expressed fears that this could lead to a deterioration in relations with China. 

According to the FM, Armenia joined the Alliance with the goal of contributing to the fight against religious discrimination. Moreover, according to the minister, this issue should be considered in the context of the prevention of genocides.

“We are a people with experience living side by side with representatives of other religions, with experience in respecting the rights and feelings of religious minorities. We also have our own communities in the Middle East countries, where they form a national and religious minority. This initiative provides an opportunity to work together with friendly countries and promote plans that will improve the lives of religious minorities,” he noted.

According to him, Armenia is guided by its own interests and national priorities. 

The FM also explained that the Alliance does not make any practical decisions.

"Each state puts forward its own initiatives, proposing mechanisms for their implementation,” the FM added.

As for relations with China, according to Mnatsakanyan, Armenia has repeatedly proved that it never builds cooperation with one state to the detriment of relations with another. The FM ruled out the possibility of involvement in any initiatives that would damage the interests of Armenia and its international cooperation.