Autographs, Photos, and Letters: Yerevan Students Welcome Lavrov

The Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with students from leading universities in Yerevan. Future diplomats welcomed Sergey Viktorovich like a celebrity.

Lavrov, accompanied by Armenian counterpart Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, held a meeting with students and professors at the Matenadaran. Students from Yerevan State University, the Russian-Armenian University, and the branch of Moscow State University in Yerevan, specifically from the faculties of international relations and world politics, gathered to interact with one of the world's top diplomats.

A comfortable white armchair was prepared for Lavrov in the Matenadaran hall; however, he preferred to stand at the podium to engage with students and answer their questions.

While briefly outlining the main aspects of the strategic partnership between Armenia and Russia, Lavrov handed the floor to the future diplomats. The first question concerned the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

"I just answered the same question from the journalists during the press conference," noted Lavrov, praising the student for the "mature question." Nevertheless, Lavrov reiterated his answer, explaining Russia's stance on resolving the conflict in two or three sentences.

"It is extremely important for us that peace prevails in Nagorno-Karabakh, that people no longer die, and that borders reopen. Russia can become a guarantor of the conflict resolution. But both sides of the conflict must reach an agreement themselves," said the Russian foreign minister.

The diplomat also discussed the situation in Syria, the EU's Eastern Partnership, and the revolution that took place in Armenia.

"Our European partners tend to establish new orders in the region while ignoring what has been done there before. Relations between Russia and Armenia are developing. Cooperation within the CIS, CSTO, and EAEU is a vivid proof of that," he pointed out.

As the formal part of the meeting concluded, the well-known "Mr. No" left for the exit with his delegation. Dozens of students rushed after him. Someone handed a letter to the minister, another requested an autograph, while another managed to take a selfie.

Arman Maloyan, a student from the Yerevan branch of Moscow State University, had the opportunity to ask Lavrov a question and obtain the coveted autograph. He presented Lavrov with his book titled "We Are Polite People: Reflections on Foreign Policy."

"I was nervous during the question. And I was even more nervous when I asked him for an autograph," the student confessed.

While Arman waited with the book in hand for his favorite diplomat, his classmates posed for photos. Of course, the minister didn't have time to take photos with everyone. Luck smiled only on Lusya Babayan, a student from the Yerevan branch of Moscow State University.

"It was very unexpected for him to agree. His assistants said that Lavrov didn’t have time, but he decided to take a photo before leaving," Lusya said.

The diplomat sat in the car with the white letter given to him by the student. The modest girl handed Lavrov the letter and disappeared so quickly that they couldn't find her afterward.

It should be noted that Sergey Lavrov arrived in Armenia for an official visit on November 10. Last night, he attended the opening of the "Flowers for the Warriors" exhibition dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War at the National Gallery of Armenia. On November 11, he was received by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.