"Armenians are fooling themselves when they say: Do you know what kind of cognac we produce!" - Pashinyan

Yerevan mockingly responded to the statement of the head of the Artsakh government

On Friday, September 16, during his speech at the Stepanakert Brandy Festival, Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan announced the intention of the republic's authorities to start exporting the high-quality alcoholic beverage produced there. It is planned to sell Artsakh cognac under the Sarkis label in different countries of the world.

The initiative was criticized by the head of the Armenian government, Nikol Pashinyan, who said: "It causes a smile when Armenians say: you know what kind of cognac we produce!". Pashinyan stressed that the Republic of Armenia is the only legal successor to the traditions of Armenian cognac production.

"What is produced today in the occupied territories is simply falsification. They can call it whatever they want, but it cannot be called Armenian cognac," Pashinyan said.

The Armenian leader also noted that the production of cognac in Artsakh will not bring any economic benefit to the population of the republic.

"It would be much better if they focused on developing the economy and creating jobs for the people," Pashinyan said.

Note that the production of cognac in Artsakh began in 1998. The products are mainly sold in the domestic market of the republic.