Armenia’s Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan stated during a press conference that, at present, the only goods imported from Azerbaijan are petroleum products, specifically gasoline and diesel fuel, while no Armenian products have yet been exported to Azerbaijan.

“At this point, only two Azerbaijani-origin products have entered Armenia: gasoline and diesel. Armenian-origin goods have not yet been exported. However, the sides have exchanged product lists. Azerbaijan presented us with a fairly long list, and we presented ours to them. We believe that over time, the business environment will respond to these opportunities,” Papoyan said, as reported by Armenpress.

He noted that limited trade is due to several factors. “The markets are still unfamiliar to one another. This takes time and primarily falls within the private sector. The government’s role is to create the conditions through political agreements, the opening of roads, launching rail links, and similar efforts. Many of these conditions have already been established, but not all of them,” Papoyan explained.

“For example, there is still no direct rail connection, but work continues in that direction. It’s clear that in a few years, it will be in place. The same goes for the implementation of TRIPP. Other mechanisms may also be applied in the meantime.”

“There is now a direct road link, but Azerbaijan has not yet used our roads, for example, to transport goods through Armenia to Turkey or vice versa. All of this shows that the process is time-consuming and complex,” he added.

Papoyan also said that negotiations are ongoing over the potential import of two more products from Azerbaijan. The specific items will be disclosed only after final agreement is reached.

“When a businessperson tells us, ‘We want to import this product,’ we begin discussing it with our partners. Once we get approval, we confirm and say: this item is now also allowed,” the minister said, as reported by 1lurer.am .

On December 19, a train carrying gasoline from Azerbaijan’s SOCAR company, consisting of 22 wagons, arrived in Armenia, followed by two more shipments.

Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan addressed the Azerbaijani fuel imports, saying: “As far as I understand, acquiring gasoline is very beneficial for Armenian citizens. I saw boycott calls, but also heard there were queues for that fuel.”

Asked why Azerbaijan sells Armenia cheap gasoline, he replied: “Because peace has been established, cooperation must follow, and their cargo must pass through our territory, just as ours will pass through theirs.”