During the December 2 sitting of the RA government, Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan instructed the RA State Revenue Committee to secure the fulfillment of Armenia’s obligations before the EU, WTO and countries, with which the country has agreements on free trade.

As per the instruction, the Committee should ensure that the customs duties for imported cigarettes do not exceed 15% starting from January 1, 2011, what is in compliance with the WTO requirements, the RA governmental press service reported.

According to Sargsyan, there were cases when customs duties made 17-18%. “Our studies indicate that Armenia is able to meet this requirement,” he said.

The Prime Minister’s second instruction referred to bilateral agreements on free trade. This one refers to alcoholic beverages.

“We should fulfill the obligations envisaged under these agreements during import of alcoholic beverages. Armenia will also comply with its obligations before the EU, fulfilling these international obligations. It means that the agreements signed with the EU, including those on loan and grant assistance, will come into force, and we, as a state, guarantee that these regimes will be applied in Armenia from January 1,” said Sargsyan.