ArmInfo. Russia and Armenia have always jointly confronted the challenges and threats that faced our countries, and the current COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic is no exception. About this in an interview with the <Novoye vremya>("New time", Ed. note), newspaper said
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Andrei Rudenko. At the same time, he noted that from the first days of its spread, the heads of government and their deputies, the leadership of the Ministry of Health, relevant departments and organizations, including the Foreign
Ministries and embassies of the two countries, have been in constant contact. "Speaking about the purely medical component, the Russian side immediately responded to the request of Armenian friends and carried out the transfer of medical products needed in Yerevan to the Russian Federation. These are the test kits so much needed today, Revert-L reagents and RIBO samples, others drugs. Russian companies operating on the Armenian market did not stand aside, which took part in raising funds for the prevention and overcoming the spread of coronavirus in the republic, "the deputy foreign minister said.
At the same time, he emphasized that Russia understands that, taking into account its geopolitical position, export-import deliveries, primarily essential goods and food, are vital for Armenia. Rudenko noted that despite the closure of the Russian-Georgian and Armenian-Georgian borders, the parties managed to maintain the flow of goods between the two countries through "Upper Lars" checkpoint. The Russian diplomat also expressed gratitude to Yerevan for assisting in the return of Russian tourists, including those who wished to return to Russia through Georgia.
"Bilateral efforts are organically complemented by joint work within the EAEU. It is especially in demand in the current situation, when coordinated steps are needed to overcome the pandemic. Such formats as the Council of Heads of Authorized Bodies in the Field of Sanitary and Epidemiological Welfare of the EAEU Member States, interim Coordination Council for monitoring the situation, created by the Eurasian Economic Commission, within the framework of these structures regular exchange of data on implementation of anti-epidemic measures, coordination of mutual assistance is carried out, mutual information is provided on national measures to maintain macroeconomic stability and trade in goods. Emergency response cannot but affect the pace of business activity and human exchanges. However, as the Armenian proverb says, "every misfortune is an instruction." We must learn from the current unprecedented situation, "the Russian Foreign Minister said.
Speaking about the level of Armenian-Russian relations after the change of power in Armenia, Rudenko assured that the dynamics of cooperation, the intensity of bilateral contacts not only did not decrease, but also increased significantly, as evidenced by statistics.