YEREVAN. – There is an interstate protocol, according to which, such congratulations are not acknowledged.

Russian Ambassador to Armenia Sergey Kopirkin stated the above-said at a press conference on Tuesday. He noted this when asked why Moscow has not congratulated Armenia’s Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on the win in the parliamentary election on December 9.

In the ambassador’s words, such congratulations are extended after the appointment has taken place.

“We [Russia] are following the timetable for the formation of power structures,” Kopirkin explained. “That’s why no questions arise there.”

In his view, the substance of this situation is clearly reflected on in the comment by Maria Zakharova, official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who had noted that Russia wants constructive discourse and development of bilateral relations with Armenia.

“We [Russia] are interested in the most active cooperation, achieving mutual trust, mutual understanding [with Armenia], [and] together deciding on practical matters,” the Russian diplomat concluded.