EEC expects situation with Armenian products to be resolved: Alexander Subbotin

Alexander Subbotin, Minister for Technical Regulation of the Eurasian Economic Commission, told Alpha News about the work on removing barriers for Armenian producers on the EAEU common market, speaking at a press conference on “Ensuring product safety on the EAEU market.”

In Subbotin’s opinion, the review of the restrictive measures imposed by Russia on Armenian products is under way quite intensively. According to him, the issue is being examined by the relevant EEC departments, as well as at the level of the minister in charge of trade barriers.

“The restrictive measures of the Russian Federation on Armenian products are being examined by our departments. At the request of the Armenian side, an appeal was submitted to the Commission for a more detailed and thorough review of whether these measures were introduced correctly. We are actively taking part in the work at the level of the minister in charge of trade barriers. An active negotiation process is also under way at the bilateral level. One side argues that the measures were introduced correctly, the other that inspections are being carried out incorrectly. I think everything should be resolved in the near future. There has never been a case where we failed to find common ground and reach an agreement,” Subbotin said.

According to the minister, the EAEU Treaty provides for the possibility of introducing temporary restrictive measures to protect public safety. Such situations, he noted, arise from time to time between member states of the union.

“The mechanism for introducing such restrictions certainly exists. The treaty has an article that provides for temporary measures to protect public safety until the countries sort out the situation and take a further decision. Those who unscrupulously produce poor-quality products will, of course, be removed from the market, because it is in the common interest to consume quality products and use safe goods. But conscientious, decent producers will stay and will trade,” Alexander Subbotin concluded.