Armenia highlights full implementation of CEPA with EU

Armenia attaches great importance to the complete implementation of the CEPA with the European Union, the Deputy Foreign Minister Paruyr Hovhannisyan has said.

Hovhannisyan made the remarks at a parliamentary committee hearing on the bill seeking to launch the process of EU integration in Armenia. He said the foreign ministry endorses the bill. 

He said that Armenia attaches importance to the full implementation of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement with the EU, as well as its roadmap, by making intensive steps for both amending the roadmap and ensuring implementation of obligations assumed under the documents.

On January 9, the Cabinet endorsed the bill seeking to launch the process of EU integration. The bill, which is set to be discussed in parliament, was initiated by several civic organizations through a petition which garnered enough votes to be considered as a bill by law. 

Hovhannisyan said the bill is in line with the dynamics of partnership between Armenia and the EU as well as its member states and the European aspirations of the Armenian people.

“The political will to be closer to the EU was expressed in the Armenian Prime Minister’s speech in the European Parliament, which is also in line with the commitment to develop relations with the EU and its member states recorded in the government’s 2021-2026 program. In turn, the EU has expressed political support to the Armenian leadership,” Hovhannisyan said. The Deputy FM noted that the relations between Armenia and the EU have been developing, the political dialogue has intensified significantly, cooperation has included security and defense and currently negotiations are underway around the new partnership agenda.

The new partnership agenda will define the priorities of cooperation and supplement the institutional circle of partnership under CEPA. The new agenda includes matters concerning democracy, human rights, good governance, freedom, mobility, economic and sectoral cooperation, trade and people-to-people contacts. 

Hovhannisyan said that the institutional circle, intensity and unprecedented pace of development of the Armenia-EU relationship are already outlining Armenia’s foreign policy priority.

“Thus, the Armenian Foreign Ministry suggests endorsing the initiative on launching the process of Armenia’s accession to the EU,” the Deputy FM said.