Armenian official expresses frustration with Russian blockade of Georgia

In a press conference following a meeting of a Russian-Armenian commission on interparliamentary cooperation, the Russian commission co-chairman, Nikolai Ryzhkov, told the Armenian officials that Russia does not want to cause any damage to the Armenian economy, noting that "Armenia is a strategic partner of Russia" and pledging that "our relations are certified at the highest, presidential level."

Ryzhkov also suggested that Armenian firms can transit Iranian territory instead, downplaying the substantially higher transport costs for such an alternative export route.

In another meeting of the Russian-Armenian intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation last week, its Russian co-chairman, Transport Minister Igor Levitin, promised that Armenian companies will be able to continue to ship cargos to and from Russia though Georgian Black Sea ports, although the regular ferry service between Russia and Georgia remains suspended.

Russia severed all transport and postal links following an escalating crisis in early October that was sparked by the arrest of four Russian officers accused of espionage by the Georgian authorities. RFE/RL