Mirzoyan Explains Why Pashinyan Was in the Second Row During Erdogan's Inauguration

The presence of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in the second row during Erdogan's inauguration ceremony was a matter of protocol. This was stated today by Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan during a joint meeting of the National Assembly's committees on foreign relations and financial and budgetary issues.

“All prime ministers were in the second row,” Mirzoyan said. There were also comments from the hall that Erdogan did not mention Pashinyan's name among the list of present leaders. In response, Ararat Mirzoyan said, “What can I say? The Prime Minister of Hungary is not a less important person, in fact, there was no difference for President Erdogan, either in seating or in listing. These are ceremonial matters. I am not sure that such speculations are viable.”

Arthur Khachatryan, a member of the 'Armenia' faction, responding to Mirzoyan's statement, pointed out that symbols are given great attention in the East. According to the deputy, it could not have been a coincidence that Pashinyan was seated right behind Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev among the hundreds of chairs.

It should be noted that the inauguration ceremony of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan took place on June 3, with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan also in attendance.