Armenia says no official notice from Russia on flower export ban

Armenia has not received any official communication from Russia regarding a temporary ban on flower exports, Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan said on Thursday, adding that he does not anticipate problems with wheat imports or natural gas supplies.

Papoyan told a government briefing that experts from Russia’s agricultural regulator Rosselkhoznadzor are in Armenia conducting inspections at companies currently restricted from exporting to Russia. “If the findings are positive, export opportunities will be reopened,” he said.

The minister suggested that some domestic groups may be attempting to create difficulties for Armenian producers in Russia, pointing to earlier issues with online retailers Wildberries and Ozon, which he said have since been resolved.

Papoyan emphasized that relations with Moscow remain “very good” and “partnership-based,” despite occasional tensions reflected in media reports. He also noted that global gasoline prices had surged two to three times following the opening of Armenia’s border with Azerbaijan, while in Armenia the increase was limited to only a few percentage points.

He predicted that recent strains in Armenia-Russia relations would ease after June 7.