RA Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, who was in Vienna on a working visit on July 18, answered journalists' questions after meeting with Austrian Federal Minister of European and Foreign Affairs Alexander Shallenberg.

In his question to Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, the journalist referred to trade relations, particularly in the publication by "Financial Times," that a certain amount of used cars are re-exported through Armenia to the Russian Federation. "Do you think this can be seen as a possible circumvention of sanctions and are you not worried about possible EU sanctions against your country?we arewe are 

  "Certainly, this war also affected Armenia's economy, both positively and negatively. But, since you are talking about sanctions, I want to once again publicly and loudly assure all those who are interested in this topic that Armenia is not going to become an environment for circumventing sanctions. We are working very closely and transparently not only with the relevant EU authorities but also with the US and all stakeholders to ensure that the Government of Armenia is determined to avoid creating an environment where sanctions can be circumvented. We work openly and transparently. If there are problems, and problems, I suppose, exist everywhere, they are quickly brought to light, and proper solutions are given to them," Mirzoyan noted.

To the question that Shallenberg suggested Vienna as a platform for negotiations between Armenia and Turkey, Mirzoyan answered:

"Once again, I thank my good partner for offering Vienna as a platform for normalizing Armenian-Turkish relations. We know that our representatives have already met several times in Vienna and had the opportunity to discuss settlement issues, and I hope this will continue. I would like to add that we had a certain pause in this process, which I think was due to the pre-election campaign and elections in Turkey. Now is the time to continue negotiations on the settlement. And there are many steps that can already be taken by both sides to make sure that we are on the right track to a final, comprehensive and complete settlement of relations, the opening of the border between the two countries, and the establishment of diplomatic relations. In this case, of course, I am primarily referring to the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border for citizens of third countries, including Armenia and Turkey, who hold diplomatic passports. Several other projects are also being discussed."

And to the question whether negotiations are currently planned, Mirzoyan answered that there is no agreed date at the moment.