EU tells Armenia ‘you can count on us’ as Russia keeps up economic pressure
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Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan (right) and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen giving a press briefing in Yerevan on July 2.
PHOTO: REUTERS
- The EU pledged an additional €18 million and eased export rules to support Armenia amid Russian trade restrictions targeting key exports.
- Russia imposed trade limits on Armenia before its June election, accusing the West of interference and alleging voting violations.
- EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen promised to remove tariffs on 80% of Armenian exports to the EU and boost regional peace funding with €200 million for South Caucasus infrastructure.
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YEREVAN – The European Union pledged an additional €18 million (S$26.6 million) in economic support for Armenia on July 2 and liberalised some export rules for its goods as Brussels seeks to shore up support for the South Caucasus country amid Russian trade pressure.
Moscow imposed wide-ranging trade restrictions on Armenia in the lead-up to a parliamentary election in June, which saw the incumbent Civil Contract party clinch 49.8 per cent of the votes.
Russia accused the West of interfering in the vote and joined Armenia’s opposition in alleging election violations.
The restrictions from Moscow – imposed as Armenia has sought closer ties to the West and membership of the EU – have hit many key Armenian exports, including fresh produce, flowers, fish and alcoholic products.
Armenia is a member of a Russian-led economic union, and Moscow accounted for about 35 per cent of Armenia’s foreign trade in 2025, compared with 11 per cent for the EU, according to government statistics.
During a visit to the Armenian capital Yerevan on July 2, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen told Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan that Brussels would boost its support and help bring Armenian goods to European markets faster.
“I know Armenia is still facing significant economic pressure from Russia,” von der Leyen said. “But rest assured: when pressure mounts on our partners, the EU steps up... You can count on us.”
Von der Leyen said the EU would remove tariffs from nearly 80 per cent of Armenian exports heading to the bloc, streamlining access to its roughly 450 million consumers.
The €18 million disbursement announced on July 2 is part of a broader €52 million package the EU drew up for Armenia in early June.
During a visit to Azerbaijan on July 1, von der Leyen said Brussels pledged €200 million in grant funding to boost transport, energy and digital links across the South Caucasus, which is designed to support peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia after nearly 40 years of war. REUTERS
