Papoyan disagrees with Russian assessment on supplies of counterfeit cognac from Armenia to Russia

YEREVAN, July 16. /ARKA/. Armenian Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan disagrees with statements by Russian organizations on the supply of counterfeit cognac from Armenia to Russia.

According to Russian media reports, citing a study by the Union of Cognac, Spirits and Alcoholic Beverages Producers (Soyuzkonyak) together with the International Anti-Counterfeit Association, 85% of Armenian cognac samples supplied to the Russian market do not meet current standards. In response to a request from ARKA, the RA Food Safety Inspectorate reported that this information is being studied and an appropriate response will be given.

"We do not agree with this assessment. Our cognac is currently being tested, moreover, I will share good news for our business entities - for the first time in 35 years in Armenia, we have created an isotope laboratory, and the certification process is currently underway," Papoyan told news.am, explaining that alcohol tests will be carried out in the laboratory.

At the same time, he reported that Armenian cognac products are currently being tested in Georgia. "90% receive positive conclusions and are sent to Russia. This proves that our cognac specialists really produce cognac. We export cognac," the minister emphasized.

Recalling that from July 1 to 14, 103 trucks loaded with bottled cognac from Armenia crossed the Russian-Georgian border and entered Russia, Papoyan noted that the products have already reached store shelves, and some have already been sold out.

Speaking about the statements of the Russian side, he noted that they were made public not by a government agency, but by a public organization. "We have no problems with state structures," he added.

Answering the question of whether this statement contained any political message for Armenia, the head of the Ministry of Economy said that two days earlier he had a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart, the Minister of Agriculture.
"We have recorded an absolute absence of problems in Armenia-Russia relations. On the contrary, we have set the task of increasing trade turnover," he said.

At the same time, Papoyan admitted that there are some issues in the relations, adding that all of them require resolution.

Recently, Armenian cognac exporters faced problems at the Georgian checkpoint "Upper Lars" due to spontaneous laboratory tests. They appealed for help to the Armenian authorities, international organizations and partners abroad with a request to urge the Georgian government to end this unauthorized blockade and lift the restrictions that impede the transit movement of goods through its territory. The problem was resolved in early June.