Shoigu Calls Cooperation with Russia the Driving Force of Armenia's Economic Development
21.05.2026,
12:40
Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu stated that cooperation with Russia is "the main driver of Armenia's economic development."
YEREVAN, May 21. /ARKA/. Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu stated that cooperation with Russia is "the main driver of Armenia's economic development."
According to him, Russia supplies Armenia with natural gas, flour, grain, fertilizer, and gasoline "at prices three times lower than market prices."
"Russia's share of Armenia's total trade turnover is 36%. Our country ranks first in both exports and imports," he told reporters after a meeting of the Russian Security Council's special working group, TASS reports.
Shoigu also stated that in 2025, approximately 40% of tourists visiting Armenia will come from Russia.
"Last year, 921,000 tourists visited Armenia from Russia, and in the first quarter of this year, almost a quarter of a million more. Our citizens have made a significant contribution to Armenia's economy. "They used their savings to support airlines, restaurants, hotels, and tourism infrastructure," the Russian Security Council Secretary noted.
He also noted the high share of the Russian market in Armenian agricultural and spirits exports.
"Today, up to 98% of Armenian agricultural exports go to Russia. 78% of spirits exports—which, on the one hand, is encouraging, but on the other, not so—also go to Russia," Shoigu said.
Furthermore, he stated that Armenian citizens work in Russia without quotas, patents, or work permits, enjoying equal social benefits.
"The volume of remittances from Russia to Armenia reached almost $3.9 billion last year. This is almost two-thirds of the total volume of remittances, or approximately 13% of Armenia's GDP," he said.
According to him, Russia supplies Armenia with natural gas, flour, grain, fertilizer, and gasoline "at prices three times lower than market prices."
"Russia's share of Armenia's total trade turnover is 36%. Our country ranks first in both exports and imports," he told reporters after a meeting of the Russian Security Council's special working group, TASS reports.
Shoigu also stated that in 2025, approximately 40% of tourists visiting Armenia will come from Russia.
"Last year, 921,000 tourists visited Armenia from Russia, and in the first quarter of this year, almost a quarter of a million more. Our citizens have made a significant contribution to Armenia's economy. "They used their savings to support airlines, restaurants, hotels, and tourism infrastructure," the Russian Security Council Secretary noted.
He also noted the high share of the Russian market in Armenian agricultural and spirits exports.
"Today, up to 98% of Armenian agricultural exports go to Russia. 78% of spirits exports—which, on the one hand, is encouraging, but on the other, not so—also go to Russia," Shoigu said.
Furthermore, he stated that Armenian citizens work in Russia without quotas, patents, or work permits, enjoying equal social benefits.
"The volume of remittances from Russia to Armenia reached almost $3.9 billion last year. This is almost two-thirds of the total volume of remittances, or approximately 13% of Armenia's GDP," he said.
