EU Council adopts temporary suspension of import duties on Armenian goods
The Council of the European Union on September 24 formally adopted temporary trade-liberalisation measures for Armenian products. They will liberalise around 80% of Armenian exports to the EU. Import duties will be suspended on a broad range of products, including certain agricultural goods. The temporary preferential arrangement will apply for two years.
According to the Council, the measures are intended to support Armenia’s economy following trade restrictions recently imposed by Russia.
The measures are expected to support and strengthen trade flows from Armenia to the EU, in line with the objectives of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The preferential arrangement comes with certain conditions. It also includes safeguard measures to protect the EU market if imports adversely affect EU producers.
The final adoption follows the European Parliament’s plenary vote in favour of the Commission’s proposal without amendments. On September 2, the Council had already backed the measures.
“We are stepping up our support for Armenia and its people, who have clearly chosen a pro-European path in spite of foreign pressures. Today’s decision will help Armenia’s economy hit by trade restrictions and shows that our partners can always count on the EU,” said Helen McEntee, Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Next steps
The regulation will now be signed and published in the Official Journal of the EU. It will enter into force the day after publication and will apply for two years from entry into force.
The full list of products subject to quotas is available here.
A checklist of Armenia’s possible actions regarding TRIPP, EU preferences and Russian pressure is available here.
