Armenia

The EU cooperates with Armenia in the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy and its eastern regional dimension, the Eastern Partnership. Relations between the European Union and Armenia are based on the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which was signed in the margins of the Eastern Partnership Summit in Brussels in November 2017 and entered into provisional application on 1 June 2018. The new agreement provides a framework for the European Union and Armenia to continue working together for the benefit of Armenian citizens. The CEPA is modern, comprehensive and ambitious. It takes into account the new global, political and economic interests shared by both sides. The agreement will enable stronger cooperation in sectors such as energy, transport, environment and trade.

EU assistance to Armenia supports the objectives of the EU-Armenia CEPA. It is linked to the country's reform commitments under the CEPA and aims at improving the quality of life of ordinary Armenians in a tangible and visible manner, strengthening the rule of law, as well as improving the business climate, and supporting greater connectivity between Armenia and the EU in the areas of energy and transport.

EU assistance to Armenia support these policy objectives and is funded through the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI) for the period 2014-2020. It replaces the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) of 2007-2013. Other funding sources are the thematic programmes, focused on human rights and civil society.

The European Union’s framework for cooperation with Armenia is the multiannual programing document for the period 2017-2020 (Single Support Framework). It is based on the Eastern Partnership priorities to achieve a: 1/stronger economy, 2/ stronger governance, 3/ stronger connectivity and 4/ stronger society. In addition it includes horizontal support to civil society, strategic communication, and capacity development/institution building.

In line with the multiannual programming framework, the European Commission annual action programmes that aim to deliver benefits to the Armenian citizens. More information on specific programmes is available below.

Stronger Economy

• The EU is Armenia’s biggest export market, with metals and diamonds among the top exports to the EU.
• The EU accounts for around 22% of Armenia’s total trade.
• The EU provides Armenian companies with funding, training, and export support to new markets through the EU4Business initiative. Since 2009, more than €473 million have been allocated to companies, 25,000 enterprises have been supported, and 900 new jobs have been created.

Stronger Governance

• The EU supports democratic governance reforms in Armenia, the rule of law, anti-discrimination efforts, the promotion and protection of human rights, and fundamental freedoms. The Human Rights Budget Support programme is the only one of its kind in the world, with strict conditions attached to the disbursement of the funds.
• The EU has provided €7.5 million to assist the Armenian Government in improving electoral legislation.
• The EU supports the Armenian government in its efforts to fight corruption. €14.8 million has been committed to assist with the implementation of the government’s anticorruption strategy and the carrying out of customs and border management reforms.
• The EU supports civil society initiatives that promote anti-corruption reforms and act as government watchdogs in Armenia.
• The EU supports reforms in the justice sector, promotes the independence of the judiciary, and contributes to the improvement of infrastructure; 12 court buildings have been built or reconstructed in Armenia
• The EU is the main promoter of e-governance in Armenia. To date, the EU has supported the introduction of an electronic document-management system in Armenia government institutions; an e-system for submitting tax statements; an electronic civil status registry; a one-stop-shop vehicle registration system, an automated driver’s license issuing system, an e-visa system, and an online business registry

Stronger Connectivity

• The EU is funding better energy exchange and transit between Armenia and Georgia, in part by linking Armenia to the EU’s power grid.
• With EU support, improvements to the Yerevan Metro have resulted in modern carriages, safer metro operations, and substantial energy savings.
• The quality of drinking water for 1.1 million people in Yerevan has been improved with EU support
• The EU initialled a comprehensive EU-Armenia Air Transport Agreement. Once in force, this will pave the way for a larger exchange of travellers, lower prices, and new business opportunities.

Stronger Society

• The EU-Armenia Visa Facilitation and Readmission Agreements entered into force in 2014, making visa applications for Armenians easier, quicker, and cheaper.
• In the period 2015-2017, 1,300 students and academic staff from Armenia have studied or taught in Europe as part of the Erasmus+ programme.
• 17 vocation education colleges across Armenia have been renovated with EU support
• 70 Armenian schools have participated in the eTwinning Plus platform to increase cooperation through the use of online tools.

Factsheets available to download