Epress.am News from Armenia
Armenian prime minister Karen Karapetyan, who was campaigning yesterday in Ararat province, again did not take the time to speak with the winegrowers from the village of Kaghtrashen who have been protesting for nearly 2 years over unpaid grape money.
Speaking to Epress.am on Thursday, grape farmer Gevorg Harutyunyan said the winegrowers had been waiting for the prime minister’s visit to finally be able to raise the issue of their overdue payments. Karapetyan, however, did not stop to hear the protesters and left immediately after finishing his speech.
Harutyunyan, who is still owed AMD 1 705 000 by the local Vinar winery, told Epress.am that after the rally he managed only to speak with culture minister Armen Amiryan who promised to familiarize himself with issue and help the farmers.
“I showed him all the documents I had on me and told him that as opposed to other winegrowers, who have received some of their money, I have yet to receive anything for the 22 tones of grapes I sold to Vinar. Amiryan, in turn, told me to leave the documents with him so that he is able to get familiarized with the issue and help us,” Harutyunyan said. He added that Amiryan has also promised to convey the grape farmers’ message to the prime minister and make sure that the issue is resolved by the Armenian parliamentary elections scheduled for April 2.