Russian regulator Rosselkhoznadzor announced the restriction of live fish imports from Armenia, Russian media reported on 1 June.
According to the agency, Yerevan is to temporarily stop certification of live fish and fish products intended for export to Russia from 2 June, with the exception of products from two inspected enterprises.
This measure will be in effect “until the current situation is resolved,” according to a press release on the results of the inspection, which Russian specialists conducted at fish processing enterprises and trout farms in Armenia.
As quoted by the Russian news agency Interfax, Rosselkhoznadzor called the results of the inspection unsatisfactory. This means that fish and fish products from Armenia will not be able to be supplied to Russia for the time being, with the exception of products from the unnamed two plants. Their products “will be imported into Russia subject to laboratory monitoring of safety indicators.”
The decision was preceded by a number of other restrictions on Armenian products. Thus, starting from 30 May, Rosselkhoznadzor banned the import of fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, green crops and strawberries from Armenia to Russia. Before that, the agency banned the import of flowers from Armenia to Russia. Another agency, Rospotrebnadzor, stopped the sale of alcoholic products of three major Armenian producers, as well as banned the import and sale of mineral water “Jermuk”.
The restrictions come amid an unprecedented escalation of relations between Moscow and Yerevan ahead of elections to be held in Armenia on 7 June. Russian officials have criticised Nikol Pashinyan’s government, saying it seeks to “sit on two chairs” by maintaining preferential membership of the Eurasian Economic Union while seeking EU membership. Moscow has threatened Armenia with revision of the parameters of the gas supply contract. There are also political accusations against Yerevan, particularly in connection with the recent visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the country.
At a meeting in Astana, the leaders of the four countries that are members of the Eurasian Economic Community with Armenia expressed concern over Armenia’s possible accession to the EU and called on the country to hold a referendum on membership in that association or retaining membership in the EAEU.
Nikol Pashinyan said on 1 June that it would be illogical to hold a referendum until Armenia officially becomes a candidate for EU accession. At the same time, he noted that if the choice between the EU and the EAEU becomes inevitable, a referendum will be held in the country. Now he called the choice “theoretical” and said that Armenia continues to work within the EAEU framework.
On 1 June, the Kremlin website published a congratulatory message that Russian President Vladimir Putin allegedly sent to Pashinyan on the occasion of his birthday. In it, he called relations between Moscow and Yerevan “friendly” and expressed interest in their further development. The text does not mention any problems in relations.
Subsequently, the Kremlin also reported Putin’s telephone conversation with Pashinyan, particularly regarding the results of the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council held in Astana on 29 May. Yerevan has not yet commented on the conversations.