EU prepares support for Armenia amid economic restrictions imposed by  Russia - media

ArmInfo. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will hold a telephone conversation today to discuss EU support for Armenia amid economic restrictions imposed by Russia. This was reported by sources of the Armenian service of Radio Liberty  from Brussels.

According to the report, the European Union is preparing to provide  Yerevan with financial assistance, although its exact amount has not  yet been determined.

In addition to financial assistance, according to the same sources,  Brussels intends to establish preferential conditions for Armenia in  the trade sector. These are autonomous trade measures (ATMs), under  which certain Armenian goods can enter the European market without  customs duties and quotas.

It is not yet known to which Armenian goods this preferential regime  will be applied. However, it is clear that the European Union  typically uses this instrument when it needs to support partners in  crisis situations to stabilize the economy and deepen integration  with the European market.

In Russia, a temporary ban on the import of stone fruits and grapes  from Armenia will take effect on June 2. The restrictions apply to  cherries, sweet cherries, apricots, plums, peaches, nectarines, and  fresh grapes, allegedly due to "increased violations in "Supplies."  This isn't the first restrictive measure Russia has imposed against  Armenian exports in recent weeks. Previously, Rosselkhoznadzor banned  the import of fish and fish products from Armenia, making an  exception for only two companies that had passed Russian inspection.  Russia also restricted the import of Armenian flowers, mineral water,  cognac, wine, vegetables, and strawberries. Armenian authorities and  observers attribute Moscow's actions not only to sanitary concerns  but also to the sharp deterioration of relations amid the Armenian  Prime Minister's policy of rapprochement with the EU and the US.