Acting Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan’s spokesperson Mane Gevorgyan has responded to former Foreign Minister Ara Aivazian’s statement on the reasons for his resignation.

“We express gratitude to Mr. Aivazian for his work, but we believe that our state interest and national interest oblige Mr. Aivazian to publicly clarify who was preparing to take a step or make a decision contradicting our country’s state and national interests, when, where and how. We look forward to receiving Mr. Aivazian’s public clarification,” Gevorgyan stated, commenting on Aivazian’s statement in an interview with Armenpress news agency.

As reported earlier, Aivazian particularly noted the following in his farewell speech: "We had no right to take a step for which our people and our history would not have forgiven us in the future. When I took office, I declared that [Armenian] diplomacy is not defeated, and I still insist to this day that our diplomacy is not defeated.

I believe our international partners have realized that Armenia is not defeated, Artsakh [(Nagorno-Karabakh)] is not defeated, the Armenians are not defeated; our enemies also have realized this.

It was very difficult for me to make this decision; but when I assumed this position, there was a criterion for me: This ministry, which is the birth of independence, shall steadfastly defend our sovereignty, our independence, our state, national interests. (…) and my decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason (…).”