Changes from plenary report to adopted text

Change 1

RemovedLETTER OF THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

AddedP10_TC1-COD(2026)0189

RemovedMr Bernd Lange

AddedPosition of the European Parliament adopted at first reading on 15 September 2026 with a view to the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2026/… of the European Parliament and of the Council on temporary trade-liberalisation measures applicable to certain products originating in the Republic of Armenia

RemovedChair

AddedTHE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

RemovedCommittee on International Trade

AddedHaving regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 207(2) thereof,

RemovedBRUSSELS

AddedHaving regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

RemovedSubject: Opinion on the proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on temporary trade-liberalisation measures applicable to Armenian products (COM(2026) 348 – 2026/0189 (COD))

AddedAfter transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments,

RemovedDear Mr Chair,

AddedActing in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure,

RemovedThe Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development calls on the Committee on International Trade, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following suggestions into its motion for a resolution:

AddedWhereas:

RemovedOn 14 July 2026, the Coordinators of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) considered the proposal for temporary trade-liberalisation measures applicable to Armenian products.

Added(1) The Comprehensive and enhanced Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Armenia, of the other part (the ‘Partnership Agreement’) constitutes the basis for the relationship between the Union and the Republic of Armenia (‘Armenia’). In accordance with Council Decision (EU) 2018/104, Title VI of the Partnership Agreement, which relates to trade and trade-related matters, has been applied provisionally since 1 June 2018. The Partnership Agreement entered into force on 1 March 2021, following its ratification by all Member States.

RemovedThey regretted that, once more, AGRI opinion was sought under pressure of unreasonable time limits, without any prior consultation or discussion on the impacts of the proposed measures.

Added(2) One of the main objectives of the Partnership Agreement is to establish enhanced trade cooperation allowing for sustained regulatory cooperation in relevant areas, in compliance with the rights and obligations arising from World Trade Organization membership. Furthermore, the Partnership Agreement reflects the intention of the Union and Armenia to develop trade between them. In order to support and accelerate the development of closer economic relations between the Union and Armenia, it is important to increase the trade flows by stimulating the import of certain products.

RemovedThey further noted that the preferential arrangements were granted to Armenia for a limited period of two years, and were subject to conditions, the non-compliance with which could lead to temporary suspension. They also noted that safeguard measures could be imposed to deal with market disturbance due to a surge of import originating in that country. They stressed the relevance of these provisions and the need for the Commission to ensure their effective implementation.

Added(3) Since May 2026, the Russian Federation has introduced large-scale trade measures affecting imports of, and transit for, key Armenian export products including alcoholic beverages, mineral water, fruits and vegetables. Those measures have significantly reduced Armenia’s access to its traditional markets and disrupted established supply chains. The situation has had an adverse impact on Armenia’s export opportunities, particularly affecting small and medium-sized enterprises and agricultural producers, and risks seriously undermining Armenia’s economic resilience and social stability. Under the framework of the Partnership Agreement and the Strategic Agenda for the EU-Armenia Partnership adopted on 2 December 2025, the Union and Armenia have committed to deepening their economic and trade relations and to supporting trade and economic diversification. Against that background and in a spirit of solidarity with Armenia, it is appropriate to stimulate trade flows and grant concessions in the form of trade-liberalisation measures for selected Armenian products.

RemovedCoordinators also expressed support and solidarity with Armenia and its people, who are today unjustly penalised and threatened by the hostile forces surrounding them.

Added(4) In accordance with Article 21(3) of the Treaty on European Union (TEU), the Union is to ensure consistency between the different areas of its external action. Pursuant to Article 207(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), the common commercial policy is to be conducted in the context of the principles and objectives of the Union’s external action.

RemovedIn view of these elements, and in line with the Comprehensive and enhanced Partnership Agreement between the Union and Armenia, AGRI Coordinators endorsed the Commission’s proposal for temporary trade-liberalisation measures and asked me to convey their opinion to you pursuant to Rule 57.

Added(5) Therefore, temporary trade-liberalisation measures should be introduced in the form of the suspension of ad valorem duties similar to the suspensions envisaged by the Union’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus schedule with some adjustments, such as the removal of certain sensitive products and the inclusion of certain agricultural goods banned by Russia, and in the form of the removal of ad valorem duties on eight agricultural products within the limits of applicable tariff quotas.

RemovedThis recommendation was approved by the AGRI Committee at its meeting of 2 September 2026.

Added(6) In order to prevent fraud, the trade-liberalisation measures established by this Regulation should be conditional upon Armenia complying with all the relevant conditions set out in this Regulation and in the Partnership Agreement, including with the rules of origin applicable to the products concerned and the procedures related thereto, and upon Armenia’s involvement in close administrative cooperation with the Union, as provided for in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446 and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2447.

RemovedYours sincerely,

Added(7) Armenia should abstain from introducing new duties or charges having equivalent effect or new quantitative restrictions or measures having equivalent effect, from increasing existing levels of duties or charges and from introducing any other restrictions on trade with the Union. In the event that Armenia fails to comply with any of those conditions, the Commission should be empowered to suspend temporarily, in whole or in part, the trade-liberalisation measures provided for in this Regulation.

RemovedVeronika Vrecionová

Added(8) Articles 2 and 9 of the Partnership Agreement establish that respecting democratic principles, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms, and countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction are essential elements of the Partnership Agreement. It is appropriate to introduce the possibility of temporarily suspending the trade-liberalisation measures provided for in this Regulation in the event that Armenia fails to comply with any of the provisions identified as essential elements in the Partnership Agreement.