YEREVAN. – Preferential trade between Armenia and EU is not interfering with the membership to Customs Union, Economy Minister Vahram Avanesyan said commenting on GSP plus system of preferences.

“At the beginning of last year, we proved the importance of the EU system and got an opportunity to work within the program along with 10 countries, including neighboring Georgia The system of preferences allows developing country exporters to pay zero or lower duties on their exports to the EU. Of course, this will seriously increase the competitiveness of Armenian goods in comparison, for example, with the products of other CIS countries,” the Minister said.  

As an example, he cited the aluminum foil produced in Armenia and successfully exported to the EU.

There will be no contradictions with the Customs Union because GSP plus involves unilateral rather than bilateral terms of trade.