Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Opposes Sharp Measures Against Russia and EAEU

Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan calls for avoiding drastic measures in the diversification of the country’s food and energy security sectors. Responding to comments from proponents of stricter policies, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized the need to thoroughly assess the consequences before making abrupt decisions.

“If we consider the supply of energy resources or food products in isolation from global processes, it may seem that the situation regarding certain commodities is manageable. However, when we take into account the transportation and logistics aspects, the picture becomes much more complex,” Grigoryan stated.

He reminded that prior to the events in Ukraine, wheat was relatively affordable, but the main issue for Armenia was logistics. “The same problems are typical for energy resources as well. A product may be available on the global market, but logistics risks not only increase its cost but can, in some cases, make deliveries physically impossible,” Grigoryan clarified.

Speaking about the region's gas infrastructure, he noted that managing energy risks requires considering not only the availability and price of the product but also the actual delivery possibilities. “In some cases, those possibilities are severely limited. That is why the ‘Crossroad of Peace’ project is crucial for mitigating risks and creating more stable economic ties,” he added.

It should be noted that recently, some representatives of the ruling team have been discussing the necessity of “diversifying” the supplies of energy resources and food products. In this context, there have been hints about the potential future procurement of Azerbaijani gas. Meanwhile, Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan has mentioned the need to transition from wheat to rice altogether, as over 90% of Armenia's grain is imported from Russia, with domestic production covering only one-third of its needs.