Diplomacy
EU Parliament Clears Duty-Free Access for 80% of Armenian Exports
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The European Parliament has voted to suspend customs duties on roughly 80% of Armenia's exports to the European Union for two years, an explicitly political response to the trade restrictions Russia has imposed on Armenian producers since the spring.
The Strasbourg plenary adopted the autonomous trade measures on 15 September by 583 votes to 49, with 39 abstentions, ARKA news agency reported. The Council of the European Union had already backed the European Commission's proposal on 2 September.
More than 300 product groups
The EU Delegation to Armenia said more than 300 groups of Armenian goods will enter the bloc duty-free, spanning preserves and juices, dried fruit and nuts, herbs and spices, and industrial output from textiles to footwear. The delegation described the package as "opening a market of 450 million consumers to Armenian producers" and said "the potential benefits for Armenian businesses are significant."
The liberalisation runs for two years from the regulation's entry into force.
A response to Russian restrictions
The trigger is not disguised. Helen McEntee, Ireland's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, said in the Council's September statement: "Today's decision sends a clear message: when faced with economic coercion, the EU will respond. We will create new opportunities and stand with our partners."
Since late May, Russia has progressively restricted Armenian flowers, mineral water, beverages and alcohol, vegetables, fruit, berries, grapes, potatoes and dried fruit, followed by live fish, fish products and dairy. Moscow also barred the transit of Armenian-origin goods through Russia to other Eurasian Economic Union states.
The effect is already visible in the data. World Bank figures for July show Armenian exports of vegetable products down 52.2% year on year and agricultural products down 15.2%, with the Russian measures identified as the cause.
EUR 250 million earmarked for Syunik
Separately, EU Ambassador to Armenia Vasilis Maragos said the bloc plans a substantial regional investment. "Next week we are traveling to Syunik, where we plan to invest EUR 250 million in the region's development and business support," he said in Vanadzor on 18 September, in remarks reported by ARKA citing Radio Azatutyun.
Maragos linked the trade package directly to Moscow's measures: "Following some very tough, coercive measures taken by Armenia's important northern partner regarding exports to that country, the EU has strengthened its support for trade." He added that Brussels expects the regulation "to be formalized very soon."
The Syunik figure was announced without a published breakdown, timeline or financing instrument, and should be read as a stated plan rather than a signed agreement. Its relationship to the up to EUR 200 million in connectivity funding pledged earlier by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has not been clarified.
Not yet in force
The measures still require formal Council approval and enter into force the day after publication in the EU Official Journal. Preferences are conditional on Armenia meeting rules of origin and administrative cooperation requirements, introducing no new restrictions on EU imports, and respecting the essential elements of the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement, including democratic principles and the rule of law. Safeguard clauses protect EU producers.
Moscow has signalled its own response. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on 15 September that Armenia's rapprochement with the EU "will automatically mean the end of all preferences within the EAEU."
