Temporary trade-liberalisation measures applicable to Armenian products
Regulation (EU) 2026/2269 introduces temporary trade-liberalisation measures for selected products originating in the Republic of Armenia. It was adopted under the ordinary legislative procedure, following the European Parliament’s position of 15 September 2026 and the Council’s decision of 24 September 2026. The measures respond to trade restrictions imposed by the Russian Federation since May 2026, which have affected Armenian exports and transit, particularly for agricultural products and small and medium-sized enterprises.
Duty-free access for Armenian products
The Regulation suspends ad valorem import duties for a broad range of Armenian products listed in Annex I. The covered goods include agricultural and food products, fishery products, beverages, tobacco, chemicals, plastics, leather, textiles, metals, machinery, vehicles and other manufactured goods. The preferential treatment is determined by the relevant Combined Nomenclature codes; product descriptions are indicative.
It also removes ad valorem import duties for eight agricultural products within annual Union tariff quotas managed by the Commission:
- cucumbers and gherkins: 6 500 tonnes;
- grapes: 5 000 tonnes;
- pears: 750 tonnes;
- apricots: 7 000 tonnes;
- cherries: 2 000 tonnes;
- peaches and nectarines: 3 500 tonnes;
- plums: 1 500 tonnes;
- strawberries: 2 500 tonnes.
Conditions for preferential treatment
The measures are conditional on Armenia:
- complying with the applicable rules of origin and related customs procedures;
- maintaining close and effective administrative cooperation with the Union, including verification of proofs of origin, to prevent fraud;
- refraining from introducing new or higher duties, charges, quantitative restrictions or other unjustified restrictions on imports from the Union, including discriminatory internal administrative measures; and
- respecting democratic principles, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms, and countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, in line with the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement between the European Union and Armenia.
Armenian exporters registered in the Union’s Registered Exporter system may issue invoice declarations in accordance with the applicable customs rules.
Suspension and safeguards
The Commission may temporarily suspend all or part of the trade-liberalisation measures through an implementing act where there is sufficient evidence that Armenia no longer meets the conditions. Where a Member State requests suspension because Armenia has introduced prohibited trade restrictions affecting Union imports, the Commission must issue a reasoned opinion within four months. If the claim is substantiated, it must begin the suspension procedure.
The Commission may also impose safeguard measures where imports covered by the Regulation adversely affect the Union market, or the market of one or more Member States, for like or directly competing products. It may act following a substantiated request from a Member State or on its own initiative. Its market assessment must be completed within four months and considers, among other factors, the increase in imports and their effects on production and prices.
In critical circumstances, the Commission may impose provisional safeguard measures at the request of a Member State within 21 days. Such measures may remain in force for up to 120 days. Before imposing definitive safeguards, the Commission must publish a notice and allow interested parties up to 10 days to submit written views.
Implementation, duration and monitoring
The Commission is assisted by the Customs Code Committee for suspensions and by the Committee on Safeguards for safeguard measures. It must report on implementation to the Partnership Committee in trade configuration established under the Partnership Agreement.
The Regulation was published in the Official Journal on 9 October 2026 and entered into force on 10 October 2026. It applies until 11 October 2028 and is binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
This summary was AI-generated and human-reviewed.