IA REGNUM organised an interview with the head of precious metals and gemstones department of Armenian Trade and Economic Development Ministry Gagik Mkrtchyan. He informed that Armenia bought diamonds from Russia, Belgium and Israel and last year there were certain difficulties in the relations between Armenian cutting companies and Russian diamonds mining company ALROSA.

In the first six months 2004 Armenia imported about 100 thou ct of diamonds from Russia, while in 2003 the total amount was 130 thou ct.

Now the intergovernmental meeting is taking place in Moscow and it is devoted to the relations between Russia and Armenia. One of the questions included into the agenda is the negotiations between Armenia and ALROSA.