YEREVAN. – A major internal discontent is forming at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Armenia, Hraparak (Square) newspaper reported.

“The reason is that [Foreign] Minister [Zohrab] Mnatsakanyan is appointing his close persons and friends to all positions [at the MFA].

“We inquired from MFA spokesperson Anna Naghdalyan about what principle the [MFA] officials are appointed with, and to what extent are justified the complaints that Mnatsakanyan is appointing his close persons.

“They responded to us: ‘The MFA [of Armenia] is a professional structure, consisting mainly of diplomatic servants. Such a question is inappropriate for the simple reason that having worked in the MFA system for about three decades, thanks to joint work and passing a diplomatic road together, the Minister of Foreign Affairs is best familiar with the diplomatic staff. The decision-making process at the MFA is inclusive, to which the heads and representatives of the relevant division also participate—by position,’” Hraparak wrote.