Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has denied reports that Armenia plans to introduce a visa regime with Russia.

Axar.az reports, citing Armenian media, that Pashinyan made the remarks at a briefing for journalists.

“Who has discussed such an issue? We absolutely have no intention of doing so and have never had such intentions. It has not even crossed our minds,” he said.

According to him, Russian tourists are “welcomed with great pleasure and respect” in Armenia.

“And we see that they are currently the driving force behind Armenia’s tourism sector. Why should we? Armenian society welcomes these people with love,” Pashinyan added.