Vardan Ghukasyan, newly elected mayor of Gyumri, addressed journalists ahead of his swearing-in ceremony, responding to comments attributed to him regarding Armenia’s independence. He stated that joining interstate unions does not equate to violating the country’s sovereignty.

“Why are you attacking me over independence? Who can question Armenia’s independence? Being part of interstate unions doesn’t mean we’re undermining it,” Ghukasyan said, as reported by Panorama.am .

While walking through the municipal building, he added: “This building is mine — we built it with great effort.”

Ghukasyan officially assumed his duties after taking an oath to uphold the Constitution and laws of Armenia while carrying out his responsibilities as community leader.

Vardan Ghukasyan, who previously served as Gyumri’s mayor from 1999 to 2012, was re-elected on April 16. Eighteen opposition council members unanimously supported his candidacy. The factions “Mother Armenia,” “Our City,” and “My Strong Community” chose not to nominate their own candidate and agreed to back the opposition group that received the most votes, aiming to unseat the ruling “Civil Contract” faction.