European Union measures suspending import duties on 80 per cent of Armenian exports to the bloc came into effect on Saturday. The temporary liberalisation measures are aimed at supporting Armenian producers and exporters following trade restrictions imposed on the country's products by Russia.
The trade preferences, which will last for two years, cover nearly all exports of fruit, vegetables and flowers affected by the Russian measures, as well as over 91 per cent of exports of beverages and spirits.
In a statement released on Friday, the European Commission said the measures would “support the resilience of Armenia’s economy by facilitating access to the EU market.”
Armenia becomes the only country to receive such trade preferences without being an EU candidate or having a specialised trade agreement with the bloc.
The measures received final approval from the EU’s Competitiveness Council on 24 September.
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said the temporary trade liberalisation was a “powerful token of solidarity… and another milestone,” in relations between Yerevan and Brussels.
Russia is Armenia’s largest trading partner, accounting for around 35 per cent of the country’s trade in 2025. In 2024, Armenia's exports to Russia amounted to $3.14 billion.
Moscow has however introduced a series of escalating restrictions on Armenian products throughout 2026, including mineral water, fruits and vegetables, fish, and dairy products, among other items.
The European Union has implied that Russia’s measures are in response to Yerevan developing closer relations with the bloc.
“No country should be pressured for a sovereign choice,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in July, announcing a $60 million (€52 million) package of support for the country
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