Restrictions on Armenian Agricultural Products Representing 'Sanctions' are Manipulation, Galuzin Says

In an interview with RIA Novosti, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin stated that the declarations regarding supposed sanctions against the supply of certain categories of Armenian agricultural products to the Russian market are manipulations.

Galuzin drew attention to the fact that several officials and informational resources in Armenia are presenting the restrictions on the supply of certain categories of Armenian agricultural products to the Russian market as 'sanctions' imposed by Moscow. He asserted that these are manipulations that bear no relation to reality.

He emphasized that the Russian side has always paid special attention to phytosanitary control and that its requirements are well-known: the use of local raw materials by Armenian producers, control over pesticides, and the traceability of supplies.

Galuzin also pointed out that the Armenian leadership has itself acknowledged the existence of quality issues related to certain products.

Earlier, the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) announced that from June 12, it would restrict the import of all quarantine products from Armenia, as well as their transit through Russian territory to EAEU member states.

Sergey Dankvert, head of Rosselkhoznadzor, clarified that the restrictions on the supply of Armenian agricultural products are linked to the lack of effective quality control by producers, rather than a political issue.