The European Parliament on September 15 approved a European Commission proposal to introduce temporary trade liberalisation measures for products originating in Armenia. The vote took place during the Parliament's plenary session in Strasbourg, held on September 14-17.
The proposal was backed by 583 MEPs, while 49 voted against and 39 abstained.
Armenia's Ambassador to the EU, Tigran Balayan, described the decision as another important step in Armenia-EU partnership. Earlier, the Council of the EU supported the European Commission's proposal without amendments.
The plan calls for a temporary suspension of import duties on a broad range of Armenian-origin goods, including certain agricultural products within tariff quotas. According to the Council of the EU, the measures could liberalise about 80% of Armenia's exports to the European Union.
The preferential regime will remain in force for two years from the date the relevant regulation enters into force. It also includes safeguard measures for the EU market if imports have a negative impact on European producers.
Following the European Parliament's formal adoption of its position, the document must also be approved by the Council of the EU. The regulation will enter into force the day after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU.
Against the backdrop of restrictions on exports to Russia
The report also notes that since late May, Russia has been gradually imposing restrictions on supplies of several categories of goods from Armenia, citing violations of phytosanitary requirements.
The restrictions cover flower products, mineral water, certain beverages and alcoholic products, vegetables, fruit, berries, grapes, potatoes and dried fruit, and later also live fish and fish products, as well as dairy products. They also include a ban on the transit of Armenian-origin goods through Russian territory to other EAEU countries.
