ArmInfo. The credibility of the quality and assortment of Armenian products in Russia is exceptionally high, Minister of Culture of Russia Vladimir Medinsky, who heads the Russian delegation at the 7th Russian-Armenian Interregional Forum stated today.
"We are glad to emphasize that Russia is Armenia's main foreign economic partner, with almost 30% share in foreign trade turnover and this is accompanied by an annual increase in trade turnover, according to the latest statistical data, by 36%. Moreover, there are prospects of increasing supplies of fruits and vegetables from Armenia to Russia. With Armenia's accession to the Eurasian Economic Union, Armenian food products hold one of the leading positions by the assortment and amounts presented in the Russian market, "he said. The Minister continued that having a choice between juice from Armenia and Coca-Cola, a normal Russian consumer would choose juice from Armenia, the same applies to fruit and vegetable products.
According to Medinsky, in just a year the number of implemented projects on large-scale entry of joint trade marks of Armenian producers to the Russian market has grown.
According to the Minister, comprehensive decisions are taken by the state on a permanent basis, which contribute to mitigating various barriers. "For example, Russian and Armenian controlling agencies are implementing a project to integrate an electronic veterinary certification system that will simplify the procedure of registering processing products. And in this respect, additional direct contacts between Russian trade networks and Armenian producers are important, without the participation of intermedi te sellers. Russia and Armenia are not just strategic partners, we develop relations based on the principles of friendship, equality, mutual benefit over the centuries. In these relations, direct contacts between the regions occupy a special place, and they are the basis for the fundamental principles of openness of the markets for free trade and equality of relations, "he said.
The idea of establishing an investment fund for supporting projects in the IT field remains relevant. "We have great prospects for cooperation in the field of IT and digital technologies, especially since Armenia has a special potential in this area. First of all, this applies to applied IT solutions of various branches of the national economy, "Medinsky said.
Medinsky recalled that the issues on maintaining gas prices for Armenia at the level of $ 150 per 1,000 cubic meters were discussed in 2018. "I note with satisfaction the successful cooperation of our countries in the field of nuclear energy, and in this sector our common goal is to extend the life of the Armenian nuclear power plant. We hope that in this sector too, cooperation will deepen, "the Russian delegate added.
In addition, he stressed the importance of developing bilateral cooperation in the humanitarian field, in the sectors of education, science and culture.
