Armenia & European Union
Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the Republic of Armenia and the European Communities and their Member States
The relations between the Republic of Armenia and the European Union, including the trade and economic cooperation are regulated by the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), signed on April 22, 1996 and entered into force on July 1, 1999.
The main objectives of the PCA are:
- to provide an appropriate framework for the political dialogue between the Parties allowing the development of political relations; to support the efforts of the Republic of Armenia to consolidate its democracy, to develop its economy and to complete the transition into a market economy;
- to strengthen the rule of law, including the legal reforms;
to promote trade, investments and harmonious economic relations between the Parties, - to contribute to protection of intellectual, industrial and commercial property;
to provide a basis for legislative, economic, social, financial, scientific, technological and cultural cooperation.
The PCA includes all fields of cooperation except military cooperation.
Within the framework of the PCA the following bodies have been established:
The RA-EU Cooperation Council, (the Armenian co-chairman is the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the RA)
The RA-EU Cooperation Committee. (the Armenian co-chairman is the Minister of Trade and Economic Development of the RA);
The RA-EU Subcommittee on Trade, Economic and Legal Issues, (the Armenian co-chairman is the Deputy Minister of Trade and Economic Development of the RA).
European Neighbourhood Policy
In June 2004 Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan were included in the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). In March 2005 the European Commission presented the reports on these countries (Country Report) to the European Council.
The inclusion of Armenia in the ENP resulted in a new level of relations between the RA and the EU. Armenia acquired the status of an EU neighbour country.
In the result of the three rounds of negotiations the EU-Armenia ENP Action Plan was adopted and signed on November 14, 2006.
The three rounds of negotiations to define priorities of Armenia-EU cooperation have been held since November, 2005 (1st round on November 28, 2005 in Yerevan, 2nd round on March 6-7, 2006 in Brussels, 3rd round on May 3, 2006 in Yerevan).
Within the frameworks of the European Neighborhood Policy the implementation of the Action Plan will significantly advance the approximation of Armenia’s legislation, norms and standards to those of the European Union. In this context, it will build solid foundations for further economic integration based on the adoption and implementation of economic and trade-related rules and regulations with the potential to enhance trade investments and growth. It will furthermore help to devise and implement policies and measures to promote economic growth and social cohesion, to reduce poverty and to protect the environment, thereby contributing to the long-term objective of the sustainable development.
On May 20, 2006 the Coordinating Committee headed by the President of the RA was established (the President Decree N 114-N) to coordinate the activities of state authorities with the EU institutions.
In February 2005 the RA officially applied to the EU for granting to Armenia a market economy status. The package of appropriate documents was presented to the EU. Currently, according to the EU procedures, this issue is under consideration. On May 1 2005 the RA Trade Representative to the EU (residence in Brussels) was appointed by the RA Prime Minister, thus underlining the willingness of Armenia to enhance trade and economic relations with the EU.
In April 23, 2009 in Brussels the Commission of the European Communities formally published “2008 European Neighbourhood Policy EU-Armenia Action Plan Implementation Progress Report”.
On 6 May 2009 the president of the Republic of Armenia adopted the List of Actions for 2009-2011 to ensure the implementation of European Neighbourhood Policy RA-EU Action Plan by ՆԿ-68-Ա order.
