Zhoghovurd newspaper of the Republic of Armenia (RA) writes: On November 18, the NA [i.e. the National Assembly] officially informed that the 38th session of the interparliamentary commission on cooperation between the RA NA and the RF [(Russian Federation)] Federal Assembly was held in Dilijan under the chairmanship of NA Vice President Hakob Arshakyan and [Deputy Chairman] Yuri Vorobyov [of the Federation Council of the Russian Federal Assembly].

At first glance, this may seem like another official event, or in a geopolitical sense, an effort to restore [Armenia’s] relations with the Russians. But it turned out that this session that was held under the headship of Hakob Arshakyan was accompanied by a scandal.

According to the exclusive information of Zhoghovurd daily, the participation of a number of MPs of the RF State Duma was planned for the session of the interparliamentary commission held in Dilijan, but the Russian MPs declined from coming to Armenia—and their refusal was explained by the Rome Statute ratified by Armenia.

Zhoghovurd daily learned from its well-informed sources that the RF State Duma MPs had a fear that their visit to Armenia could have an unpredictable outcome—even in the form of arrest.

Accordingly, the Russian colleagues conveyed to the CC [i.e. the ruling majority Civil Contract Faction of the NA] members that neither the Armenian nor the Russian side in their turn gave guarantees to the Russian MPs that the requirements of the Rome Statute will not apply in their case and they will not be arrested.

As a result, the session of this interparliamentary commission was held without State Duma MPs, only the representatives of the RF Federal Assembly were present and the representatives of the Armenian side.