The European Union has announced a significant expansion of trade preferences for Armenia. Up to 80% of Armenian exports will be exempted from customs duties, allowing the country to redirect supplies of agricultural products and other goods from the Russian market to the European one.
This was stated by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during her visit to Yerevan. According to her, the new autonomous trade measures will cover nearly all fresh fruits, vegetables, plants, and a number of other goods that were previously actively exported to Russia but faced restrictions.
“We are helping Armenia diversify its economy and strengthen ties with Europe. This is an important step towards reducing dependence on a single market,” von der Leyen emphasized.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan welcomed the EU’s initiative. According to his estimates, the duty-free regime will cover approximately 80–99% of Armenia’s potential exports to the Union. Armenian authorities are already working on the technical formalization of the agreements and a program to support exporters.
Experts note that the EU’s decision is a timely response to Russia’s recent restrictions on the import of Armenian goods (including agricultural products, flowers, mineral water, and brandy). This allows Yerevan to quickly reorient supplies and minimize economic losses.
According to analysts, the new measures will strengthen the position of Armenian producers in the European market, increase the competitiveness of their products, and stimulate the country’s economic growth.
It is expected that the technical details of the agreement will be finalized in the near future, and duty-free access will come into effect within the coming months.