Armenia–EU Partnership Strategic Agenda
On December 2, within the framework of the 6th Armenia–EU Partnership Council, the “Armenia–EU Partnership Strategic Agenda” was signed.
On this occasion, Minister Mirzoyan noted in his remarks: “Just a few minutes ago, we adopted a new Armenia–EU Strategic Agenda, which complements the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and elevates our partnership agenda to a strategic level. The Armenia–EU partnership is entering a new and more ambitious phase with a shared vision and responsibility, aimed at continuously delivering tangible results for our citizens.”
EU HR/VP Kaja Kallas: "Today we adopted a new Strategic agenda for the EU-Armenia partnership and this is a shared ambition to work on many more areas together.This includes your own reforms, including strengthening the rule of law, diversifying and modernizing the Armenian economy, but also cooperation regarding the visa liberalization and security, for example.
Today, I'm pleased to announce 15 million euro towards sustaining peace and a more resilient Armenia. This will fund a variety of initiatives, including demining training and equipment, as well as regional confidence-building measures."
EU Commissioner for Enlargement: “Today we adopted a new strategic agenda, which reflects this special momentum in our bilateral relations.
We are working together on bringing visa-free travel to Armenia. We witnessed the handover of the visa liberalization action plan last month. And why is this so important? There are so many Armenians living in Europe and we want to make it easier for you, people to travel to Europe, to visit relatives, to come as tourists, and also to come as friends.”
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The Strategic Agenda for the EU-Armenia Partnership is a significant step forward in the relationship between the two parties. It builds upon the foundation of the CEPA, setting ambitious priorities across a wide range of sectors. The Agenda is an expression of shared values and mutual interests, and a testament to the EU’s and Armenia’s commitment to deepen cooperation in all areas
The Strategic Agenda for the EU-Armenia Partnership is also a reflection of the European aspirations of the Armenian people and the EU's commitment to supporting Armenia's democratic development, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and socio-economic resilience. The EU commends Armenia's commitment to European values and its desire to deepen its integration with the European family.
The EU-Armenia partnership is at a pivotal moment. The Strategic Agenda for the EU-Armenia Partnership lays out our shared vision of the future, one that reflects a shared commitment to fostering stability, prosperity, and peace in the region and holds the promise of tangible benefits. By working together, the EU and Armenia can achieve the ambitious goals set out in this Agenda, creating a more prosperous and secure future for all.
The EU commends Armenia’s commitment to democracy, the rule of law and human rights and tangible progress in this regard, recognising the highly challenging regional situation Armenia is currently facing. It commends Armenia’s commitment to ensuring it has democratic institutions that function properly, with the CEPA as a blueprint for reforms to modernise the country.
The EU will help Armenia achieve the objectives and implement the priorities set out in the Strategic Agenda for the EU-Armenia Partnership. It will do so by using all available sources of EU support, as well as expertise and advice, best practice, information sharing, support for capacity building, institutional strengthening and assistance instruments.
Crucial priorities are socio-economic development, trade diversification, sustainability and building resilience, addressing the geopolitical and regional challenges as well as targeted hybrid and other threats.
The Visa Liberalisation Dialogue also remains a key shared priority for both sides. This process is designed to assist Armenia in eventually securing visa-free travel for its citizens for short stays in the EU and the Schengen Area, once all the necessary conditions related to effective migration management, security, and document integrity are fully met.
Armenia has made significant progress on reforms in key areas such as justice, the fight against corruption and maintaining the rule of law, freedom of speech and media freedom, police reforms and strengthening democratic institutions (by setting up the Ministry of Internal Affairs, for example), and on reforms in education, health, social protection, migration and civil protection.
Economic cooperation, trade diversification and connectivity are also key pillars of the Agenda. By working together, the EU and Armenia can unlock new opportunities for economic growth, create jobs, raise the level of prosperity and improve lives.
The regional security situation remains volatile. This Strategic Agenda for the EU-Armenia Partnership includes security and defence as a new area of cooperation, aiming to strengthen Armenia’s resilience, security and stability. For instance, in 2024, the EU adopted the first ever assistance measure in support of the Armenian Armed Forces under the European Peace Facility.
