RUSSIA TO LIFT BAN ON ARMENIAN FRUIT, VEGETABLE IMPORTS VIA GEORGIA

Prime-Tass English-language Business Newswire
May 31, 2006 Wednesday 4:44 PM EET

Russia is to lift a ban on fruit and vegetable imports from Armenia
transported via the territory of Georgia, Sergei Dankvert, head of
Russia’s Federal Service for Veterinarian and Phytosanitarian control,
said Wednesday.

Russia and Armenia have reached an agreement on safety procedures
when transporting the supplies, Dankvert said.

The ban was imposed in March after it was found that on several
occasions shipments were being imported with forged health
certificates. Dankvert added that during talks with Armenia it turned
out that the forgeries occurred in Georgia.

“Armenian exporters will have to send notification of any shipment one
day before its arrival,” Dankvert said, adding that the notification
should specify the registration number of the health certificate
for the shipment and the registration number of the truck carrying
the supplies.

Dankvert stressed that all steps taken by the service were to
ensure the safety of imported products. He denied any political
implications. Georgia earlier accused Russia of banning fruit and
vegetable imports as well as imports of wine and mineral water to
put political pressure on the country.