Recently, the government met with protesting freight carriers and drivers who had participated in a protest last week. Truck driver Vartan Vartanian stated that this time representatives from several agencies attended to listen to them:
“There were representatives from territorial administration, customs, the government, about 4-5 people from different sectors. This time we felt that we had a meeting,” Vartanian said:
During the meeting, the freight carriers demanded that the government negotiate with Russia so that Armenian carriers could also obtain the necessary permits for international freight transport, which would allow, for example, transporting goods from Georgia to Russia.
The freight carriers also requested that the Armenian government negotiate with Georgia to resolve border issues and discuss visa and transport permit issues with European Union countries. They expressed dissatisfaction that obtaining a Schengen visa is a complicated and lengthy process for them.
They stated that for more than two months, thousands of freight carriers have hardly been working, attributing this to the unequal conditions created for Armenian and foreign freight carriers:
“Our vehicles should be given preference because foreign vehicles have pushed us out of the markets. When the road is closed, there are no exports, we have no cargo to take, and we automatically remain out of the market. They take three loads from Georgia, go to Moscow at high prices, pick up our Armenian cargo from Moscow, and return with a backload,” said one of the drivers:
Last week, the freight carriers gathered near the government building explained how important it is for Armenian carriers to also be granted the necessary permits for international freight transport:
This document is exchanged between countries under intergovernmental agreements. According to the freight carriers, today Georgian and other companies have this right, while Armenian companies do not:
“Logistics companies should also enter the tax field,” the drivers say, noting that they are proliferating like mushrooms.
The problems mentioned by the freight carriers have particularly worsened in recent months after Russia imposed economic restrictions, which banned the import of Armenian agricultural products, beverages, and flowers. As a result, the volume of exports from Armenia has sharply decreased, and freight carriers often find themselves without work:
At the meeting with government officials, truck driver Vartan Vartanian stated that they presented the main issues and demands of the sector and are waiting for officials to convey them to the vacationing prime minister, after which they expect responses regarding the progress on their issues. They say they “cannot wait long”:
