EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said European foreign ministers discussed ways to bolster Armenia’s resilience and diversify its economy after the June 7 parliamentary elections, arguing that Armenian voters had chosen peace, sovereignty, and closer ties with Europe despite pressure from Russia.

“Last week’s elections delivered a clear message: the Armenian people voted for peace, sovereignty, and closer ties with Europe. Russia’s heavy pressure and economic coercion failed to sway the vote,” Kallas said after a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg, where Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan joined an informal breakfast discussion.

The remarks come as Armenia tries to soften the impact of Russian restrictions on a wide range of its exports, including agricultural goods. Moscow has tied the measures to phytosanitary concerns, while the EU has described them as a form of “economic coercion.”

In response, the Armenian government approved a new support package for greenhouse farmers to ease financial pressure and encourage businesses to reach alternative markets.

Presenting the program at a Cabinet meeting, Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan said greenhouse operators that have finished construction and sold produce this year will qualify for an additional six-month grace period on loan and interest payments.

“We are proposing that these greenhouse farms will not pay principal and interest for the next six months, and this payment burden will be shifted to a later period. The government will continue to meet its obligations to banks,” Papoyan said.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said the economy is adapting to the new conditions and that the government intends to support the process. “We want to encourage this adaptation through such programs,” he said, urging businesses to pursue new export opportunities and raise product standards.

Papoyan noted that Armenian flower exports have already reached a broad range of destinations, including Georgia, the UAE, France, the Netherlands, Romania, Austria, and Kazakhstan, reflecting the government’s push to diversify markets.

The European Union has also pledged further assistance. Earlier this month, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced more than €50 million in immediate financial aid, along with other measures to ease trade and expand export opportunities for Armenian goods.