European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday announced Ukraine-style autonomous trade measures for Armenia aimed at helping the country withstand growing economic pressure from Russia.
Von der Leyen unveiled the package during a visit to Yerevan alongside Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, where the pair met Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. The trip marks the first visit by a foreign leader since Pashinyan’s pro-European government secured another parliamentary majority last month, cementing Armenia’s shift away from Moscow.
“The recent elections have shown the strength of Armenia’s democracy,” von der Leyen said, according to a press release. “The Armenian people have chosen reform and a closer partnership with our Union. No country should be pressured for a sovereign choice.” She added the EU was “stepping up” with the proposed trade rules alongside a €52 million support package previously announced in June.
The autonomous measures — the same mechanism the EU previously deployed to support Ukraine’s economy — would liberalize around 80 percent of Armenian exports to the bloc once approved by the European Parliament and EU member states.
Brussels argues the package is designed to help Armenian producers diversify away from the Russian market, particularly in sectors targeted by recent Russian trade restrictions. Earlier this year, Moscow temporarily blocked imports of Armenian flowers, prompting the EU to help exporters find alternative buyers inside the bloc.
The trade package forms part of a broader €288 million EU support program for Armenia.
A high-level EU-Armenia dialogue will take place in Yerevan later this year to review progress on economic reforms and deepen cooperation.