Following the statutory six-month accession procedure, Armenia has become the 46th member state of International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV). Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Russia are already members of this organization.

We present the interview of Director General of the OIV Jean-Marie Aurand to Banks.am.

-How was Armenia chosen to become the 46th member of OIV and which factors were considered most important during the selection process?

-The OIV is an intergovernmental organization open to all States in the world. The OIV has not to choose countries, but accept adhesion of Sovereign States.

After previous conversations in April of this year with Ambassador of Armenia to France H.E. Viguen Tchitetchian, there was a meeting between Minister of Agriculture of Armenia Sergo Karapetyan and me in order to confirm the Armenian authorities’ decision to apply for their country’s accession to the OIV.

Stressing Armenia’s viticultural history and the restructuring work currently taking place in this sector, Mr. Karapetyan reaffirmed the importance for Armenia to join the OIV and enjoy the benefit of its international expertise. As the Director General of the OIV I expressed pleasure at the decision of the Armenian government, adding that the process of consulting the Member States of the OIV had been initiated for Armenia to be able to officially become a member at the General Assembly of the OIV.   

After the statutory six-month accession procedure without any objections from our member states, the membership is confirmed and will become official at the following OIV General Assembly, which will be held in Argentina on November 14, 2014.

-According to OIV, which are the development tendencies in Armenian wine industry?

-The vitivinicultural sector of Armenia has seen significant growth, with development and awareness on an international level being part of a strategic government plan. Historically, together with Georgia Armenia is one of the world's most ancient vine and wine-growing areas. Recent research in Areni has found evidence of winemaking dating back to earlier than 6000 BC. The country's vineyards, which had lost half of their acreage since the 1980s, cover nearly 15,000 hectares given over to the production of still wines, sparkling wines and brandies. The most widely used vine varieties are Black Areni for red wines, and Tchilar and Voskehat for white wines.

-How can OIV contribute to the increase in Armenian wine volumes in European market?

-The OIV is a scientific and technical organization and doesn’t deal directly with trade, but the OIV provides international standards which help enhance the international exchange of vine and wine products. There are advantages for Armenian scientists and operators of being associated with the international community of vine and wine, and of actively participating in work and conferences that are organized by the OIV or under its patronage.

Jean-Marie Aurand was interviewed by Narine Daneghyan.