Temporary trade-liberalisation measures applicable to Armenian products
PURPOSE: to grant temporary trade-liberalisation measures for products originating in Armenia by improving access to the EU market.
PROPOSED ACT: Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council.
ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: the European Parliament decides in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure and on an equal footing with the Council.
BACKGROUND: EU relations with Armenia are based on the EU–Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA), in force since 2021, and the Strategic Agenda for the EU–Armenia Partnership, agreed in 2025. Through CEPA, Armenia has committed to a comprehensive reform agenda grounded in democracy, transparency and the rule of law.
In May and June 2026, Russia introduced and expanded restrictions on a range of Armenian exports, including brandy, wine, mineral water, and agricultural products. At the same time, it introduced obstacles to the transit of certain Armenian goods through the territory of the Russian Federation. This situation is having a substantial negative impact on Armenia’s trading opportunities.
The EU has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its partnership with Armenia and supporting Armenia’s economy. This commitment is fully in line with the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and enhanced Partnership Agreement, which aims, among other things, to support the efforts of Armenia to develop its economic potential and establish enhanced trade cooperation with the Union.
Prior to this proposal, the EU mobilised EUR 270 million under the Resilience and Growth Plan for Armenia (2024–2027) to support connectivity, resilience, business development and export diversification. In response to continued external economic pressures, the Commission is also preparing a support package worth over EUR 50 million. This proposal complements these measures by introducing targeted trade liberalisation to improve Armenian producers' access to the EU market, facilitate the reorientation of trade flows and strengthen the resilience of the Armenian economy. More broadly, it aims to deepen EU-Armenia economic relations in line with the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
CONTENT: in this regard, the Commission is proposing a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council introducing trade-liberalising measures in the form of:
- the temporary suspension of ad valorem duties under the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus, excluding certain sensitive products and including certain agricultural goods banned by Russia; and
- the removal of ad valorem duties on eight agricultural products within the limits of applicable tariff rate quotas.
These preferential measures would be subject to compliance with the rules of origin and other relevant conditions to ensure that only eligible products benefit.
The proposal also provides for safeguards allowing the EU to suspend or reintroduce duties if imports cause or threaten to cause serious difficulties for Union producers. The measures are designed to be exceptional, time-limited, and accompanied by monitoring of their economic impact.
The proposal stressed that Armenia should abstain from: introducing new duties or charges having equivalent effect, or new quantitative restrictions or measures having equivalent effect; increasing existing levels of duties or charges; or introducing any other restrictions on trade with the Union. If Armenia fails to comply with any of those conditions, the Commission should be empowered to temporarily suspend all or part of the preferential arrangements established by this Regulation.
In light of the urgent situation in Armenia, this Regulation should enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union for a period of two years.