What is Happening at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Avinyan Explains

What is happening at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, why has the entire leadership resigned, and why was only Deputy Minister Armen Gevondyan's application not accepted? Today, on June 10, during a conversation with reporters near the government building, Acting Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan, responding to these questions, stated that answers will be provided in due time.

"There could not have been anyone performing the duties of the minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; that was the main reason," Avinyan said, disagreeing with the assertion that the structure has become inactive.

Referring to the issues raised by Ara Ayvazyan, Avinyan noted that since May 12, almost daily meetings of the Security Council have been held, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs has participated in those sessions by virtue of his position.

"The decisions that were made were made during those sessions—with the participation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and all discussions we've had, all members of the Security Council have been informed about them. I want to assure you of that. All decisions that were made, if there was agreement or disagreement, there was at least a discussion," he said.

When asked whether Ayvazyan expressed disagreement regarding the Prime Minister's suggestion to withdraw the troops in a mirrored manner, Tigran Avinyan stated that Ayvazyan should respond to that matter.

It is noteworthy that on May 27, the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Ara Ayvazyan submitted his resignation, after which the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Gagik Galachyan and the spokesperson Anna Naghdalya also resigned.

Ara Ayvazyan had a farewell meeting with the staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, informing them that he had a difficult time making this decision. However, he stated that he had only one criterion when he accepted this position. "This ministry, which is the product of independence, must unwaveringly protect our sovereignty, our independence, and our state and national interests. I hope I have not left you in shame, and my decision to resign was precisely for that reason—to ensure that there is never any doubt that this ministry could take any step or give consent to any ideas or initiatives that are against our statehood, our national and state interests. We have traveled a long road together, and today I am bidding you farewell with the best memories," Ayvazyan stated.

On June 7, it was officially announced from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that all deputy ministers had submitted their resignation applications. On June 8, Acting Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan signed all of the applications except for the one from Deputy Foreign Minister Armen Gevondyan.