The Armenian government has expanded the state support program for exports, including primary agricultural producers, and in parallel, diplomatic negotiations are underway with Brussels to establish customs privileges for Armenian products.
RA Deputy Minister of Economy Arman Khojoyan with clarification, strategic changes have been made in the plan effective from 2025. If in the past the full reimbursement of customs duties for exports to the EU, the United Kingdom and Canada concerned only the processing industry, now the state is ready to fully cover the customs costs for the export of fresh fruits and vegetables and flowers.
The deputy minister emphasized that thanks to intensive horticulture and high-tech greenhouses, Armenia today produces competitive products that meet international standards, and the previous stage of the project has already ensured a 40 percent increase in the export of canned goods and juices.
At the same time, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan announced that active discussions are underway with European partners in order to create favorable conditions for Armenian producers. According to the Foreign Minister, it is expected that the EU, in its turn, will take certain steps in the direction of revising customs duties. The minister expressed hope that this dialogue will be successful in the near future, which will open new prospects for local exporters in the western markets.
A temporary ban on the import of stone fruits and grapes from Armenia will come into effect in Russia on June 2, “Rosselkhoznadzor” reported. Cherries, cherries, apricots, plums, peaches, nectarines and fresh grapes are under restrictions, allegedly due to “frequent supply violations”. This is not the first restrictive measure imposed in Russia against Armenian exports in recent weeks. Earlier, “Rosselkhoznadzor” banned the import of fish and fish products from Armenia, making an exception only for two enterprises that passed the Russian inspection. In addition, Russia has limited the import of Armenian flowers, mineral water, cognac, wine, vegetables and strawberries.
Earlier, the Russian leadership openly indicated the need to make a choice between Brussels and the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), stressing that rapprochement with European structures will inevitably create systemic complications for the republic in the Eurasian area.
The situation was significantly aggravated at the EAEU summit held in Astana at the end of May, where the partners of the union – Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan – issued a joint statement calling on Yerevan to hold a nationwide referendum in the shortest possible time to determine the foreign policy vector.
Moreover, the members of the union initiated the preparation of a special report on the consequences of the possible suspension of Armenia’s membership, which is planned to be presented at the December session of the Higher Eurasian Economic Council. Despite growing diplomatic pressure, Nikol Pashinyan reaffirmed Yerevan’s intention to continue planned and calm interaction within the framework of the EAEU until a geopolitical choice between the two economic blocs becomes completely inevitable.
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