Armenian parliament speaker to personally welcome Russian counterpart in Yerevan

Speaker of the Armenian National Assembly Alen Simonyan has confirmed he will personally greet Russian Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko during her upcoming visit to Armenia.

“I gave my word to Valentina Matviyenko that I would welcome her personally,” Simonyan told reporters on Tuesday.

“She asked me how we welcomed Nancy Pelosi at the airport. I told her, ‘Madam Matviyenko, when you visit Yerevan, I will gladly greet you in the same manner'," he added.

When asked whether details of Matviyenko’s itinerary were available, specifically if a visit to Armenia’s southern Syunik Province was planned, Simonyan said he was not informed on the matter.

“To be honest, I don’t know the details. I’m currently engaged with another official visit,” he said.