Armenian opposition MP slams government after Aliyev’s trade remarks

Opposition lawmaker Gegham Manukyan on Wednesday strongly criticized the Armenian government after Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev announced that Kazakh wheat would soon reach Armenia via Azerbaijan, prompting remarks from Armenia’s economy minister.

Speaking at a parliament session, the Hayastan faction MP asked rhetorically: “Who is Armenia’s economy minister – Ilham Aliyev or Gevorg Papoyan?” The MP accused Papoyan of of merely echoing Aliyev’s statements instead of leading Armenia’s economic policy.

“At first, it seemed the wheat would arrive by rail through Ijevan, but now we learn it will reach Georgia before entering Armenia,” he said. “Meanwhile, Azerbaijan has long been using Armenia’s airspace, what’s next?”

Challenging ruling party MPs, Manukyan said he was “ready to meet any demand” if anyone could clearly explain the details of the alleged trade arrangement.

“None of you can explain it, you’ve just heard the cliché and repeated it,” he said.