The creation of the "Zangezur Corridor" is also not on the agenda, which they also try to attribute to Moscow. Kopirkin: "Sputnik Armenia"

On July 1, the Russian government issued an order to open a general consulate in Kapan. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Armenia Sergey Kopirkin told Sputnik Armenia how the process is going and what problems Russian diplomats have to solve.

"Sergey Pavlovich, for the beginning, let's clarify what is the reason for the initiative to open a diplomatic institution in the south of Armenia."

"The Armenian side, including at the highest level, initially welcomed the intention to establish a general consulate in Kapan, characterizing it as long overdue and in demand. At the moment, we have made significant progress in opening it with a joint effort. Going forward, I would like to note that in accordance with the wishes of the Armenian side, the decision of the Russian government envisages the opening of the consulate general with a simplified scheme, without concluding an agreement accepted in our practice, which is done through the exchange of notes."

We now expect further steps from our Armenian partners, taking into account the principle of equality and reciprocity accepted in diplomatic practice. As you know, we have one main consulate in Armenia, in Gyumri, while our partners have consular representations in St. Petersburg and Rostov-on-Don, not counting two offices in Novosibirsk and Vladikavkaz, as well as six honorary consuls in Volgograd, Kaliningrad, Pereslav-Zalesk, Nizhny Novgorod , in Tyumen, Yekaterinburg.

Russia is willing to actively expand diplomatic presence in friendly countries and open new diplomatic and consular missions in states located in key regions for Russia (in accordance with the new concept of foreign policy). Of course, Armenia is also among such states.

"Western politicians and diplomats have been showing sincere interest in Syunik lately. Almost every visit of American officials involves a trip to the southern regions of Armenia. What do you think is the difference between the Russian approach and the working methods of Western "partners"?

"By the way, no matter what the ill-wishers say, Russian diplomats are definitely not going to "spy" in Syunik, unlike Western lovers of walking around the region with binoculars. The creation of the "Zangezur Corridor" is also not on the agenda, which is also tried to be attributed to Moscow. As is known, the tripartite working group headed by the deputy prime ministers of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan deals with the issues of unblocking transport and economic connections in the South Caucasus."

Full interview at the source site