Ovechuk: questions about the presence of Russian companies in Armenia will raise the same question in Russia

Talk of the undesirability of Russian companies operating in Armenia will raise questions about Armenian businesses operating in Russia. This was stated by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Ovechuk in an interview with TASS.

“The reality is that the Armenian railway, if it survives, will remain a line serving the needs of its own economy, whose real prospects are tied to the EAEU. Our interest lies in expanding trade with Armenia, as with all countries in the region, but if we are told that the presence of Russian companies in Armenia does not serve Armenia’s interests, then, on the basis of reciprocity, it is fair to ask: if Russian companies and entrepreneurs cannot operate and earn in Armenia, why should Armenian companies and entrepreneurs be able to operate and earn in Russia?” he noted.

Ovechuk stressed that foreign economic ties are “a two-way street.” “There is no movement of goods without mutual trade, and the freight load of the Armenian railway depends on this as well. Armenian businesses operating in Russia would do well to take note. We consider that the issue has been framed in precisely these terms, and this needs to be stated openly,” the Russian Deputy Prime Minister said.