Armenia, EU close to finalizing negotiations on new partnership agenda

Armenia and the EU are close to finalizing negotiations on a new Partnership Agenda, Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia Ambassador Vassilis Maragos has said.

The full implementation of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is among the key items on the agenda, he said at the EU-Armenia civil society platform discussion.

In his remarks, Ambassador Maragos recalled that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had described the agreement as a clear roadmap for reforms which is actively implemented by the government.

Brussels will host the main partnership committee meeting in July.

Maragos emphasized that a strong commitment by the government and civil society exists in implementing the complex reforms.

He said the sides are now working to develop the new partnership agenda.

“The negotiations are almost completed, and its goal is to make full use of the potential of CEPA. This is a mutual obligation,” he said.

Maragos mentioned the Resilience and Growth Plan for Armenia, unveiled last year, which includes numerous areas, such as economic diversification and introduction of EU standards in consumer rights protection and intellectual property.

Strengthening Armenia’s resilience is among EU priorities, he said.