Nikol Pashinian // Roses Nicolas ABACA via Reuters Connect
According to the head of the government, he received such information during a telephone conversation with the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen on June 4, Meduza reports citing Armenpress. In addition to financial aid, Brussels intends to simplify the access of Armenian goods to the European market.
“Agricultural products of the Republic of Armenia will be exported to the European Union without customs duties, i.e. within the framework of a free customs regime,” Pashinyan said at the briefing.
The statement came amid deteriorating relations between Yerevan and Moscow. In recent months, Russia has restricted imports of a number of Armenian goods, including flowers, mineral water, vegetables, herbs, fish, as well as seasonal fruits and berries. Officially, Russian agencies attributed these measures to sanitary and phytosanitary requirements, but Armenian authorities and local experts have repeatedly linked this to the growing political differences between the two countries.
Moscow regularly criticizes the Armenian leadership’s foreign policy course aimed at deepening cooperation with Western partners. Against this background, the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union, primarily Russia, are increasingly demanding that Yerevan clarify its future plans: to retain membership in the EAEU or to continue its course of rapprochement with the European Union.
Pashinyan rejects calls to hold a referendum on the issue. However, the possible opening of the European market for Armenian products could significantly expand the export opportunities of Armenian producers and reduce their dependence on Russian direction.
If the announced measures are realized, Armenia will receive not only additional financial support, but also access to one of the largest consumer markets in the world. For Yerevan, this will be another step in developing economic ties with the European Union against the backdrop of the ongoing reassessment of relations with Russia.
