Temporary trade-liberalisation measures applicable to Armenian products
The European Parliament adopted by 583 votes to 49, with 39 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on temporary trade-liberalisation measures applicable to Armenian products.
The European Parliament adopted its position at first reading, taking over the Commission's proposal.
The proposal introduces targeted trade liberalisation measures 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).
More specifically, the proposed regulation introduces trade liberalisation measures in the form of:
- the suspension of ad valorem duties similar to the suspensions envisaged by the Union’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus schedule with some adjustments, such as the removal of certain sensitive products and the inclusion of certain agricultural goods banned by Russia;
- the removal of ad valorem duties on eight agricultural products within the limits of applicable tariff quotas (cucumbers and gherkins, fresh and dried grapes, pears, apricots, cherries, peaches, plums, strawberries).
The trade liberalisation measures are subject to the following conditions:
- Armenia's respect for the rules of origin;
- Armenia engaging in close and effective administrative cooperation with the Union, including for the verification of evidence of origin, in order to prevent any risk of fraud;
- Armenia abstaining from introducing new duties or charges having equivalent effect or new quantitative restrictions or measures having equivalent effect, from increasing existing levels of duties or charges and from introducing any other restrictions on trade with the Union unless they are duly justified and notified to the Commission; and
- Armenia's respect for democratic principles, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms and countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
In the event that Armenia fails to comply with any of those conditions, the Commission should be empowered to suspend temporarily, in whole or in part, the trade-liberalisation measures provided for in this Regulation.
The proposal also includes safeguard measures allowing the EU to suspend or reinstate tariffs if imports cause or are likely to cause serious difficulties for producers in the Union.