The Council of the European Union has published an annex to a European Commission proposal for temporary trade-liberalisation measures applicable to products originating from Armenia. The document, dated 2 July 2026, details duty suspensions and tariff-rate quotas aimed at enhancing economic ties and supporting Armenia's economy by granting preferential access to the EU market.
Annex I lists products subject to full duty suspension, covering a wide range of goods including live animals, meat, dairy, fish, plants, fruits, vegetables, oils, chemicals, textiles, metals, and machinery. Annex II specifies products subject to duty-free tariff-rate quotas, such as cucumbers, grapes, pears, apricots, cherries, peaches, plums, and strawberries, with annual volume limits. For certain products like crustaceans under subheading 0306 13, a reduced duty of 3.6% applies instead of full suspension. Sugar confectionery under subheading 1704 10 90 has a specific duty limited to 16% of customs value.
The measures are temporary and require monitoring, with possible adjustments based on market impacts and EU-Armenia relations. Armenian exporters stand to gain enhanced market access, potentially boosting trade volumes and economic growth. EU consumers and industries may benefit from a wider variety of imported goods at lower prices. However, competitive pressure may arise for EU producers, particularly in sensitive agricultural and food processing sectors. The proposal now awaits consideration by the European Parliament and the Council before adoption.