“We are not only aware of the problem, but we are also working on it,” Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan said Thursday while speaking with truckers staging a protest outside the main building of the Armenian government.

“At this moment I will refrain from further statements, but we are dealing with this matter more than you are. If I say anything else of a work-related nature on this occasion, it could interfere with both your work and ours—it is a shared matter,” the minister added.

Papoyan assured that the Armenian authorities are addressing the matter at the highest level: the Eurasian Economic Union.

“I hope the problem will be resolved. Of course, you can hold protests—that is your right. However, even without this protest, we have already been working on this matter for a week and will continue until the matter resolved,” the Armenian economy minister said.

“I also know that the 90 days are not a working option in our case, as [truck] drivers can only remain at [the] Upper Lars checkpoint [on the Russian-Georgian border] for 90 days or more. The problem in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Armenia is the same. But in their case, the situation is simpler, as they do not have at the Upper Lars checkpoint,” Papoyan emphasized.

The Armenian economy minister, however, did not specify when this matter will be resolved.

As reported earlier, a group of truckers are holding a protest in front of the main building of the Armenian government.

They are protesting the Russian government’s decision that as of September 10, citizens of countries with visa-free entry to Russia who do not enter the country for work purposes may stay in Russia for a total of 90 days within a calendar year, instead of the previous 180 days.