ARMENIA WILL COMMENT ON USDA/APHIS PROCESS ON

UNCLAS YEREVAN 000844 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/CARC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AM EAGR ETRD USDA USTR SUBJECT: ARMENIA WILL COMMENT ON USDA/APHIS PROCESS ON IMPORT OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES REF: STATE 95277 (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Please protect accordingly. ¶1. (SBU) On June 16, 2006 Reftel we delivered talking points to Lilit Toutkhalian, Americas Departmental Head at MFA. Toutkhalian said she would forward to George Kocharyan, the official responsible for Agricultural portfolio in Armenian Embassy in Washington. ¶2. (SBU) During a separate meeting on June 19, 2006, we delivered this message to Deputy Minister of Agriculture Samvel Galstyan. With Galstyan was Mekhak Ghazaryan, Chief of Inspection for Plant Quarantine. Galstyan said that GOAM would provide a detailed comment to the proposed procedure over the internet link provided in light of limited time left for June 20 meeting. Both Galstyan and Ghazaryan were eager to describe Armenia's actions to bring Armenian products into compliance with international standards, noting Armenia has joined the International Plant Protection Convention, and also that GOAM has submitted a new draft law on Plant Protection and Plant Quarantine to the National Assembly. EVANS