Vladimir Medinsky: Credibility in quality and range of Armenian  products is exceptionally high in Russia

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.