Lebedev criticized Pashinyan for banning the use of the name “cognac” by Armenian producers.
The Russian designer, Artemy Lebedev, voiced his criticism towards Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, following the latter’s declaration that Armenian manufacturers are disallowed from employing the term “cognac.”
As per Pashinyan’s statement, the label “cognac” enjoys protection and exclusively alludes to the beverage crafted in the homonymous French region.
Lebedev asserted that Pashinyan “relinquished his viewpoint at a negligible cost,” essentially forfeiting a trademark that “has been produced within Armenia for its entire existence.” The designer underlined that “Armenian cognac constitutes such a notable brand that the French ought to seek consent from the Armenians.” He further reproached the Armenian premier for consenting to discard the drink’s established appellation “in exchange for a mere couple of million euros.”
Alen Simonyan, the Speaker of the Armenian National Assembly, countered Lebedev, branding him a “propagandist” and a “media pygmy.” In a post on X, Simonyan remarked that Russia unexpectedly “articulated concern regarding the destiny of Armenian cognac,” despite the matter having been governed by international standards for an extended period.
He reminded that the designation “cognac” has for a long time been a licensed term, and marketing the product beyond Armenia under that title is strictly forbidden. Simonyan highlighted that Armenia’s principal cognac distillery was ceded to the French firm Pernod Ricard well before Pashinyan assumed office.
The NA Speaker also declared that Armenian products cannot be created according to the principle of being “exclusively for the internal market,” as is the case with certain Russian brands. He alleged that Lebedev was “intruding with his non-Armenian nose” into Armenia’s affairs. The speaker also suggested that the designer pay a visit to the Yerevan Brandy Factory on his subsequent trip to the nation.
Armenian producers persist in utilizing both designations—”Armenian Cognac” and “Armenian Brandy.” As early as 2023, the Ministry of Economy disclosed that Armenia and its European associates had consented to substitute the label “Armenian Cognac” with the trademark and geographical term “Armenian Brandy.” The European Union committed to allocate €2.9 million to facilitate the shift to the new nomenclature.
