Armenia’s chargé d’affaires in Belarus, Artur Sarkisyan, has been summoned to the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Axar.az reports that Belarus Ministry of Foreign Affairs made the announcment.

“A strong protest was lodged with the Armenian diplomat and a note was handed over in connection with the recent unfriendly actions of the Armenian side,” the statement said.

It is noted that Speaker of the Armenian Parliament Alen Simonyan previously referred to Belarus as a “province of Russia” and stated that Armenia would not be governed as such a province.

The Belarusian authorities expressed protest over these remarks.

It should be recalled that although Belarus and Armenia are both members of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), tensions have emerged in their relations. Armenia has even recalled its ambassador, and its diplomatic mission in Belarus is currently operating at the level of chargé d’affaires.