The EU is preparing emergency trade relief for Armenia to help offset Russian import restrictions, as Brussels and Moscow compete for influence over the future of the Caucasian republic.
The European Commission is drawing up so-called autonomous trade measures that would lower tariffs on Armenian food and agricultural exports, according to four people briefed on the plans. The initiative comes in response to Russian import restrictions imposed before Armenia’s recent elections, which Brussels believes were intended to pressure the country’s pro-western government.
“Now is the time for us to step up and support them, and show that we can be a dependable partner,” said one of the people. “They need friends . . . and we need to protect our neighbourhood.”