EU Parliament committee approves trade liberalization measures for Armenian products

The European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade (INTA) has approved the temporary removal of tariffs on a wide range of goods imported into the European Union from Armenia, amid the situation created by trade restrictions imposed by Russia on Armenian exports.

Armenpress Brussels reporter said the proposal presented by the European Commission was adopted without amendments on September 3, with 35 votes in favor, 2 against, and 3 abstentions.

Under the proposal, the European Union plans to remove tariffs on a number of Armenian products for a period of two years.

At the same time, tariff-free import quotas are to be established for eight types of Armenian agricultural products. These include grapes, apricots, cherries, peaches, and cucumbers.

The measure is prompted by restrictions imposed by Russia since May 2026 on a number of key Armenian export products. These concern, in particular, alcoholic beverages, mineral water, fruits and vegetables, as well as their transit through Russia.

According to the European Commission, these restrictions have disrupted Armenia’s traditional supply chains and significantly limited the country’s access to traditional export markets. The situation has had a particularly severe impact on small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as agricultural producers, while also creating challenges for Armenia’s economic resilience.

The EU views the initiative as a temporary measure to support the Armenian economy and create additional opportunities for exporters to access the EU market.

The Council of the EU earlier this week agreed to introduce temporary trade-liberalization measures for Armenian products to support Armenia's economy following trade restrictions recently imposed by Russia.

These measures will liberalize around 80% of Armenian exports to the EU, the Council said in a press release ahead of submitting it to the INTA.

This preferential arrangement comes with certain conditions and also includes safeguard measures to protect the EU market if imports adversely affect EU producers.

The Council endorsed the Commission proposal without changes, clearing the way for the regulation to be swiftly adopted after the European Parliament is also expected to approve the proposal without amendments.

“Europe stands with Armenia and its people, who have chosen a clear path for reform and closer cooperation with the European Union. 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,” said Helen McEntee, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland.

The regulation introduces a temporary suspension of import duties for a broad range of Armenian products, including selected agricultural products subject to tariff-rate quotas. The measures will apply for two years from the regulation's entry into force and will cover almost 99% of Armenia's exports of fresh fruit, vegetables and plants to Russia and more than 91% of beverages and spirits.

The proposed regulation is intended to support Armenia after trade restrictions imposed by Russia have disrupted Armenian exports and transit routes. It also aims to strengthen EU-Armenia trade relations in line with the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

The preferential arrangements remain conditional on Armenia complying with the applicable rules of origin, engaging in administrative cooperation with the EU, refraining from introducing new trade restrictions on EU imports and respecting the essential elements of the CEPA, including democratic principles, the rule of law and human rights.

The European Parliament is expected to adopt its position without amendments during its September plenary session. Once that position is formally adopted, the Council will approve it and the regulation will be adopted, entering into force on the day following its publication in the Official journal of the EU.