Armenian vice speaker dismisses opposition criticism over imported wheat

Ruben Rubinyan, Vice Speaker of the Armenian National Assembly from the ruling Civil Contract party, dismissed opposition concerns over the quality of wheat imported through Azerbaijani territory.

“I want to remind everyone that the opposition claimed Armenia would remain under blockade, that Armenia made unilateral concessions, and now they are discussing the quality class of imported wheat," he told journalists, Caliber.Az reports, referencing Armenian media.

“I think this is already telling. In general, I’m not a wheat expert; perhaps you should turn to the Ministry of Economy. But I don’t think any individual entrepreneur would want to import wheat that doesn’t serve its purpose. And what do they say about wheat from Russia—does it meet their standards?” Rubinyan added.

Rubinyan's remarks concern the shipment of Kazakh grain to Armenia via Azerbaijani territory, which comes amid a gradual thaw in relations between Baku and Yerevan.

In a major policy shift announced on October 21 in Astana, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev declared the lifting of all cargo transit restrictions to Armenia, measures that had been in place since the years of occupation.

The announcement, made alongside Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, reflects Azerbaijan’s commitment to advancing the peace agenda and fostering regional connectivity.

By Tamilla Hasanova