If Demands Are Not Met, Russian TV Channels Will Be Disconnected: Pashinyan

If the demands of the Armenian side are not met, Russian TV channels will be disconnected. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made this statement during a press conference in response to a question from Sputnik Armenia.

He added that the Armenian government expects Russian broadcasts to respect the citizens and the state order in Armenia. “I don’t think we are asking for anything unbelievable. We are saying now, and it is stipulated in the contract, that they should treat the interests of the Republic of Armenia with respect. Considering the friendly relations between our countries, we can ask once, twice, three times, four times, five times, six times, seven times. After that, we have to demand once, twice, three, four, five, six... And if it is ignored again, all those TV channels should be disconnected,” said Pashinyan.

He mentioned that they have already asked 7+7 times and demanded 7+5 times, with two more demands pending. “If it does not happen, then let's highlight what will happen,” emphasized Pashinyan.

The Prime Minister believes that Russia would act the same way. According to him, if the state order and government were discussed in such language, or even 5% of it, on their television, it would be shut down.

It is worth noting that on March 29, the Armenian Television and Radio Network (ARTN) LLC blocked the broadcast of the shows “Evening with Vladimir Solovyov” and “Sunday Evening with Vladimir Solovyov,” aired by the “RTR-Planet” TV channel, throughout the territory of the Republic of Armenia.

The agreement on cooperation in the field of mass telecommunications, which regulates the broadcasting of Russian channels in Armenia and Armenian channels in Russia, has been in effect since December 30, 2020.