European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced during her official visit to Armenia that the country will soon receive an additional €18 million in EU assistance.

"This is the final tranche of the €52 million assistance package that we discussed during our phone call at the beginning of June," von der Leyen said, according to Radar Armenia.

She added that the European Commission is proposing so-called autonomous trade measures that would liberalize nearly 80% of Armenia's exports to the EU.

"Eighty percent of your trade with us will no longer be subject to tariffs," she said, adding that products currently destined largely for the Russian market could instead be redirected to the EU's single market of 450 million consumers.

"This measure will open Europe's doors to nearly 99% of Armenia's fresh agricultural products, as well as 90% of your beverage and spirit exports to the EU single market. This is only the beginning," von der Leyen stressed.

Speaking alongside von der Leyen at a joint press conference, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said the European Union is one of Armenia's most reliable partners and that Armenia-EU relations have become closer than ever before.

Pashinyan said he was pleased to welcome the European Commission president to Armenia for the second time this year, according to Armenpress.

"The Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement and the Armenia-EU Strategic Partnership Agenda form the foundation of Armenia-EU cooperation, based on the shared values of democracy, the rule of law and the protection of human rights," he said.

According to Pashinyan, the two sides discussed diversifying Armenia's economy, as well as various mechanisms through which the European Union could support those efforts.

The prime minister thanked the European Union for the €52 million in budget support provided to Armenia and for presenting a proposal to introduce autonomous trade measures for Armenian products in EU member states.

"Once this decision enters into force, Armenia will become the first country that is neither an EU candidate state nor has a free trade agreement with the European Union to benefit from this instrument," Pashinyan said.

He added that the Armenian side hopes to complete the decision-making process as quickly as possible through active cooperation with the European Union and its member states, given that the harvest season has already begun in Armenia.

Earlier, during a visit to Baku, von der Leyen announced that the European Union would launch a new €20 million program aimed at promoting peace in the region. She also said the EU would provide up to €200 million in grants to support transport, energy and digital connectivity projects in the South Caucasus, including possible railway links through Nakhichevan and the development of the Port of Baku.