EU tells Armenia “you can count on us” with an additional €18 million in economic support as Russia keeps up economic pressure

The European Union pledged an additional €18 million in economic support for Armenia on Thursday and eased some export rules for Armenian goods, as Brussels tries to shore up support for the South Caucasus country facing pressure from Russia.

The EU move came as Moscow imposed wide-ranging trade restrictions on Armenia ahead of a June parliamentary election, which the incumbent Civil Contract party won with 49.8% of the vote. Russia accused Western countries of interfering in the election and Armenia’s opposition alleged election violations as well.

The trade restrictions hit multiple key Armenian export sectors, including fresh produce, flowers, fish, and alcoholic products. Armenia remains part of a Russian-led economic bloc, and Russia accounted for about 35% of Armenia’s foreign trade last year versus 11% for the EU, based on government statistics.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Yerevan and told Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan that the EU is stepping up support as pressure mounts on partners. She said the EU would remove tariffs from nearly 80% of Armenian exports to the EU, streamlining access to the bloc’s roughly 450 million consumers.

The €18 million disbursement announced on Thursday forms part of a broader €52 million package the EU agreed for Armenia earlier in June.