Alexei Shevtsov, the deputy secretary of Russia’s Security Council, claimed that the government is trying to force their owners to sell them by spreading false allegations about their mismanagement, environmental damage and their workers’ low pay.
“Such a tactic would amount to a real self-inflicted wound for the Armenian economy, given that Russian businesses have created tens of thousands of jobs in the republic and effectively manage their assets on a lawful basis, making a significant contribution to Armenia’s GDP,” Shevtsov said in written comments to the press released by the Security Council’s press service.
“We are closely monitoring the observance of the legitimate interests of Russian economic operators in Armenia. Any violation of these interests would not only damage the republic’s investment climate but would also not go without an appropriate response from the Russian side,” Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin warned for his part.
The Security Council’s secretary, Sergei Shoigu, similarly alleged “corporate raiding” on Thursday when he said Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s government is seeking to “sever ties with Russia.” He singled out Yerevan’s attempts to end Russia’s long-term management of Armenia’s railway network.
“We are noting signs that Russian industrial and infrastructure enterprises in Armenia could become the next targets,” Shevtsov said in this regard.
He went on to condemn Armenian government efforts to nationalize major companies owned by opposition leaders Samvel Karapetian and Gagik Tsarukian. He claimed that this is part of a systematic “policy of worsening conditions for Russian companies and the citizens they employ.”
Karapetian, who leads Armenia’s largest opposition group, holds dual Russian citizenship, having made his huge fortune in Russia. Tsarukian leads another major opposition party that stands for close ties with Moscow. He was indicted and arrested following Armenia’s disputed parliamentary elections held on June 7. Pashinian publicly vowed to “dispossess” both tycoons before and after the vote.
“A growing number of experts agree that signs of a politically motivated ‘redistribution of property’ are evident in the republic,” said Galuzin.
The Russian officials hit out at Yerevan more than two weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s most recent talks with Pashinian held in Kyrgyzstan. Putin publicly continued to press Pashinian to hold soon a referendum on Armenia’s accession to the European Union or continued alliance with Russia. Pashinian again rejected the demand.
