Against the backdrop of Russia's restrictions on imports from Armenia, the European Commission is rapidly preparing a package of measures to improve trade relations with Armenia.
The Financial Times wrote about this, referring to 4 sources. It is said that Brussels is developing trade measures that will reduce customs duties on the export of Armenian food and agricultural products. European Commission spokesman Olof Gill told the Financial Times that the European Commission will propose trade measures to create more opportunities for Armenian businesses in the European Union market, as well as to support those sectors of the economy that have been most affected by the Russian restrictions. "Now is the time to move forward. and support them to show that we can be a reliable partner," one source told the FT. The measures, which require the approval of a majority of EU member states and the European Parliament, will reportedly cover most of about 20 product categories, worth around €420 million a year.
However, according to sources, a number of Armenian products are problematic for EU officials. This mainly refers to brandy, which is one of the main products exported from Armenia, considering the importance of brandy production for France. Armenian Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan said that Armenia will use the name "Armenian brand" instead of "brandy". The complexity of transporting perishable goods from a landlocked country through the territory of Turkey or Georgia is also problematic. Ahead of the June 7 parliamentary elections in Armenia, Russia imposed bans and restrictions on the import of many Armenian products, which continue to this day. Against the backdrop of these import bans on Armenia by Russia, Armenia is diversifying its export markets to the European Union and other markets.
