FT: EU prepares trade support for Armenia amid Russian import restrictions

The European Union is preparing emergency trade relief measures for Armenia aimed at offsetting Russian import restrictions, as Brussels and Moscow compete for influence over the South Caucasus country.

The European Commission is working on so-called autonomous trade measures that would reduce tariffs on Armenian food and agricultural exports, according to four people briefed on the plans by the Financial Times.

“The Commission will propose autonomous trade measures to help more Armenian businesses access new market opportunities in the EU and support the country’s economy where it has been most affected,” commission spokesperson Olof Gill told the FT.

“Now is the time for us to step up and support them, and show that we can be a dependable partner,” said one of the people.

The proposed measures, which require approval from a majority of EU member states and the European Parliament, would cover most of the roughly 20 product categories affected by Russian bans, valued at about €420 million annually, according to two officials.

However, officials noted that certain products, including Armenian brandy—one of the country’s key exports—present complications due to sensitivities linked to cognac production in France. Logistical challenges also remain, particularly in transporting perishable goods from the landlocked country via Türkiye or Georgia.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas previously said, following a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg and discussions with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, that the bloc would prepare a support program for Armenia and send a team of advisers to assist Yerevan in response to Russian economic restrictions.

Earlier, Russia restricted imports of a wide range of Armenian goods—including mineral water, alcoholic beverages, fruits, and vegetables—citing identified violations.

By Sabina Mammadli