EU to help Armenia diversify export markets - ambassador

YEREVAN. June 4 (Interfax) - The European Union will extend support to Armenia amid a ban and restrictions on the import of some categories of Armenian products to Russia, Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia Vasilis Maragos said.

"Later today, important meetings will take place and there will be phone calls, including with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, after which we will announce specific additional measures regarding support for Armenia," the Armenian state-run news agency Armenpress quoted Maragos as saying at a meeting with Armenian exporters.

The purpose of the meeting with Armenian exporters "is to hear their ideas on how the EU can support them so they can diversify their export markets," he said.

As reported, Russia's Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Supervision (Rosselkhoznadzor) banned imports of Armenian flowers on May 22. It imposed temporary restrictions on imports of Armenian fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, pepper, greens and strawberries on May 30, stone fruit (cherries, sweet cherries, apricots, plums, peaches, nectarines) and fresh grapes on June 2, and pome fruit, eggplants, potatoes and dried fruit on June 3. Besides, Rosselkhoznadzor said that Armenia must suspend certification of live fish and fish products prepared for exports to Russia on June 2.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said earlier that the ban on the import of some categories of Armenian products to Russia is wrong and politicized. Armenia understands the advantages of Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) membership, but the union should provide new opportunities "in order to allow Armenia's image within the EAEU to grow, not the other way round," Pashinyan said.

The first batch of Armenian goods banned by Russia has been shipped to other countries, he said.

"A number of business delegations are already working and the first batch of roses and vegetables has already been sent. When it reaches its destination, I will share what countries it was sent to. No product will be left behind. These are EU markets and others," Pashinyan said.