Let Them Go to Participate in the Rally, Which They Have Done: Prime Minister on Departing Diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The government of Armenia has discovered that private individuals are contributing to the funding of embassies operating in various countries. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made this statement during a question-and-answer session with the government in the National Assembly today.

“We are very grateful that many of our compatriots in the diaspora supported the establishment of embassies in the 1990s, but is it right to have embassies funded privately in 2019-2020? Imagine if there were a department in the Armenian police funded by ‘our beloved compatriot from Masis, so and so,’ what would your reaction be?” the Prime Minister noted, adding that he has prohibited such funding.

Addressing political appointments, Pashinyan recalled that he had announced in 2018 that this approach should be minimized. “Now the policy has changed, because what the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did with the participation of ministers and deputy ministers was what? Now they are engaged in very important academic work. There cannot be a ministry in the country that does not share the government’s policy. If they do not share it, let them go participate in the rally, which they have done,” Pashinyan stated.

He urged them to participate in all rallies, sit-ins, and actions, as according to the Prime Minister, this is the most suitable platform for realizing their diplomatic potential.