News - High-tech minister on Russia TV programs: Armenia can unilaterally terminate agreement if our proposals aren’t accepted

About two weeks ago, it was announced that the broadcasting of programs with the participation of Vladimir Solovyov was being blocked in Armenia after months of contacts and consultations between the governments of Armenia and Russia regarding the intergovernmental agreement. Mkhitar Hayrapetyan, the Minister of High-Tech Industry of Armenia,  stated this during  the question-and-answer session with the government at the National Assembly on Wednesday—and responding to majority faction MP Sona Ghazaryan's question as to why only Solovyov's programs were being blocked in Armenia, as some other similar programs on Russian TV also contain no less offensive statements towards Armenia. "(...). This does not mean at all that we are at a dead end in the negotiations. If not this week, then next week we plan to send our package of proposals to our Russian colleagues on how we envision the new revisions of the agreement. (...). Our goal is to re-edit that agreement, which will enable the Television and Radio Commission [of Armenia] to carry out monitoring in case of such violations, and to apply administrative proceedings—that is, sanctions—in case of violations," said the high-tech minister. According to Hayrapetyan,, TV programs with content that offends the emotions and dignity of the Armenian people can also be the cause of an anti-Russian wave. "We are interested in organizing the work in such a way as to prevent such content, which may lead to such consequences. If our proposals are not accepted, I do not rule out the possibility that Armenia may consider also the option of unilaterally terminating that agreement," the minister emphasized. Earlier, Armenian News-NEWS.am reported ( https://news.am/eng/news/815036.html ) that Russian TV programs “Evening with Vladimir Solovyov” and “Sunday Evening with Vladimir Solovyov” were blocked in Armenia.