Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan commented on the words of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that the events in Armenia are an internal issue, but the attacks on the church cause serious concern.
"There is no power struggle against the church in Armenia. This is a legitimate process," Mirzoyan says.
He believes that Lavrov's concern is "interference in the internal affairs" of the country.
"It is better for Mr. Lavrov not to interfere in the internal affairs and internal politics of the Republic of Armenia. Russian officials and parliamentarians, media experts should have great respect for the sovereignty of the Republic of Armenia and never again allow themselves to interfere in our internal affairs," Mirzoyan said.
As EADaily reported, on June 30, at a press conference in Kyrgyzstan, Lavrov, in response to a question from one of the journalists, commented on the persecution of the clergy that the Armenian authorities had begun. The events in Armenia are an internal issue, but the attacks on the church cause serious concern, the Russian Foreign Minister said.
"The Church has always been one of the key pillars of Armenian society, and we would very much not like this church to be subjected to unjustified attacks without any serious grounds," he said.
The Minister stressed that Russia is interested in the soonest settlement of the situation in Armenia on the basis of its constitution and with full respect for the rights of believers, as well as other human rights.