Armenia Proposes Using Abkhazian Route for Food Transportation to Russia

The Armenian side has proposed to its Russian partners to use the transportation route through Abkhazia for transporting food products from Armenia to Russia. This was stated by Alexey Sandikov, a member of the National Assembly of Armenia and chairman of the Permanent Commission on Economics and Finance of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly, in an interview with Sputnik Armenia.

He clarified that the issue was discussed during a visit by a Russian delegation led by Kazbek Taisayev, the first deputy chairman of the State Duma’s Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration, and Relations with Compatriots, in November.

“The Georgian-Abkhazian border is closed, but there are international conventions that allow for the flow of food products through this route. We would like to utilize the Abkhazian road and communication routes. However, this requires political will in Georgia itself,” Sandikov said.

According to him, there has been food for thought regarding the so-called “grain deal.” Thus, the Armenian side has raised this proposal among Russian parliamentary partners, who have acknowledged it and promised to develop it.

Sandikov noted that the question will be discussed at a meeting of the relevant committees in Moscow at the beginning of 2023. If the Russian side supports the idea, then Yerevan will make efforts and discuss the matter with Georgian partners.

The parliament member believes this could be an excellent opportunity to alleviate congestion on the Lars route.