Minister of Economy: I see no objective reasons for closure of Upper  Lars to Armenian goods

ArmInfo. I do not see any justified and objective reasons why Upper Lars could be closed to  Armenian goods. Armenian Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan expressed a similar opinion during a briefing with journalists.

"I don't see any political, economic or working reasons for this," he  emphasized.  In response to such a statement by the minister, media  representatives pointed to tense relations between the countries and  the possible withdrawal of Russian border guards from Zvartnots  airport, but Papoyan only asked a counter question: "Do you think  this could be a justification?"

Referring to the upcoming meeting, the minister hastened to end the  conversation with journalists, emphasizing that there had been no  official statements on this matter from the Russian side.

Notably, there are reports  in media sources that allegedly Russian  customs officers warned Armenian drivers about the closure of the  Upper Lars checkpoint for them, and that the restrictions will affect  agricultural products and other food. According to the cargo  carriers, the Russian side has indicated that they should directly  contact the Armenian authorities for an explanation of the reasons  for this decision.