EU-Armenia Relations

[Mos]

This thread is dedicated to EU-Armenian relations.

[Mos]

Re: EU-Armenia Relations

recent developments on association agreement:

European Union welcomes Armenia’s efforts, Barroso says

March 16, 2011 | 11:49
“The relations between Armenia and the European Union are on the move. We are particularly pleased with the very good progress in the negotiations on the future Association Agreement. This ambitious treaty will bring our political and economic relationship to a new level and draw Armenia closer to the European Union. It will in particular include the negotiation of a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, which will deepen Armenia’s economic integration with the European Union,” President of the European Commission José Manuel Durao Barroso stated at the meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan in Belgium.

“I have therefore encouraged Prime Minister Sargsyan to intensify Armenia’s efforts in the area of trade-related reforms to achieve further progress on the institutional and administrative capacity,” he said.

After discussing the issue with the Prime Minister, I now understand that our Armenian friends believe that these reforms are also a priority for Armenia. It is in Armenia’s own interest. They are crucial for a better business and investment climate,” he noted.

“The Commission is also assisting Armenia with all the relevant support to meet the conditions, in particular through an institution-building programme and an Advisory Group. In this context, it is of course important that Armenia fully respects its WTO commitments and this is as important as is the need to deepen relations to make progress on democratic reforms,” Barroso said.

“I am therefore pleased to announce that we will start negotiations on visa facilitation and readmission agreements in the near future. This will make it easier for Armenians to travel to the EU, and promote contacts in all areas,” he said.

The officials also briefed regional issues.

“The European Union supports a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the basis of the principles of non-use of force, territorial integrity and the self-determination of peoples. The status quo is not an option. We remain seriously concerned about continuing armed incidents at the line of contact in Nagorno-Karabakh and the ongoing militarization in the region. The European Union lends its full support to the OSCE Minsk Group and will continue to promote regional cooperation,” he emphasized.

[Mos]

Re: EU-Armenia Relations

Some more literature:

Summary on EU-Armenia relations
I) Partnership and Cooperation Agreement

The respect for democracy, principles of international law, human rights, and the principles of the market economy are the essential elements on which the EU-Armenian partnership is based. These elements are outlined in the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA). The PCA with Armenia was signed in April 1996 and entered into force at the beginning of July 1999. Since then the PCA has provided the legal framework for EU-Armenia bilateral relations and a wide-ranging cooperation in the areas of political dialogue, trade, investment, economic, legislative, and cultural cooperation. The various joint institutions set up under the PCA (Cooperation Council, Cooperation Committee, Subcommittee on Trade, Economic and Related Legal Affairs, as well as the Parliamentary Cooperation Committee) have functioned efficiently and have ensured a regular political dialogue.

II) European Neighborhood Policy (ENP)

The decision taken by the European Council on 14th June 2004 to incorporate the countries of the Southern Caucasus into the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), is indicative of the EU’s willingness to extend its cooperation with Armenia beyond what is provided for under the existing framework of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA). As a first step in this direction, a Country Report assessing the progress in Armenia towards political and economic reform was published on March 2, 2005. The Country Report highlighted areas in which bilateral cooperation could be feasibly and valuably strengthened.

In the context of the European Neighbourhood Policy, the ENP Action Plan containing concrete goals and actions to be achieved in the short and medium term was agreed in November 2006. It covers democratization, human rights, socio-economic reform, poverty alleviation, energy, conflicts and sectoral issues. The Action Plan is valid for five years.

In July 2010, the EU and Armenia launched negotiations on the future EU-Armenia Association Agreement, which will be the successor agreement to the PCA. The Association Agreement will significantly deepen Armenia’s political association and economic integration with the EU. The EU and Armenia also aim to establish a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), when the relevant conditions are met.

III) Developments in Armenia

Armenia has achieved satisfactory macro-economic performance in recent years and continues to cooperate well with WB, IMF and other IFIs. Some progress has been made in the area of poverty reduction, however, more efforts remain essential.

The main challenges for the government during the next couple of years are to further strengthen democratic structures and improve the respect of human rights, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms. All these elements are in the core of the ENP Action Plan, and remain important in the context of the Association Agreement. The Constitutional Reform in November 2005 was a first essential step towards an improvement of the situation.

IV) EC Assistance

In the case of Armenia Technical Assistance to the Commonwealth of Independent States (TACIS) in the period 2002-2006 focused on continued support for institutional, legal and administrative reform as well as on support in addressing the social consequences of transition. TACIS also provided essential assistance to the implementation of Armenia’s Poverty Reduction Strategy approved in 2003.

The new Country Strategy Paper (CSP) 2007-2013 covers EC financial assistance to Armenia under the new European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI). It is accompanied by the ENPI National Indicative Programme (NIP) for 2007-2010 whose main priorities are: (1) Strengthening of Democratic Structures and Good Governance, (2) Support for Regulatory Reform and Administrative Capacity Building, and (3) Support for Poverty Reduction Efforts. Within the NIP 2007-2010, an indicative amount of €98,4 million was allocated to Armenia from the European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument.

For the period of 2011-2013, the EU bilateral assistance to Armenia will considerably increase. Within the National Indicative Programme (NIP) 2011-2013 [227 KB] Armenia benefits from an indicative allocation of 157 Mio EUR. A minimum of 32 Mio EUR is earmarked for the Comprehensive Institution Building Programme to strengthen the core institutions in the context of Association Agreements. In addition, Armenia continues to benefit from the ENPI regional and interregional programmes, and a number of thematic programmes such as the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights.

V) Conflict Resolution

The EU has a strong interest in developing a politically stable and economically prosperous Southern Caucasus. In this respect, the conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh (NK) remains the major impediment to development and contributes to the overall regional instability. In July 2003 the creation of the post of the EU Special Representative for the Southern Caucasus became a way to facilitate the dialogue between the EU and the countries of the region. EU continues to support the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group for the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

loser relations with EU priority of Armenia’s policy, Armenian NA Speaker says


July 15, 2010 | 11:31
A delegation led by Speaker of the RA Parliament Hovik Abrahamyan held meetings with Vice-President of the European Parliament László Tőkés, Vice President of the European People's Party (EPP) Jacek Emil Saryusz-Wolski, Co-Chairman of the EU-Armenia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee Milan Cabrnoch, Head of the European delegation to Euronest Kristian Vigenin, as well as with Antonio López Istúriz, EPP Secretary General, MEP.

The RA NA press service informed NEWS.am that during the meeting with László Tőkés Speaker Abrahamyan pointed out Armenia attaches high importance to deep cooperation with the EU, especially under the Eastern Partnership (EaP) project inaugurated in Prague on 7 May 2009. The project opens up new opportunities for agreements on more essential cooperation with the EU, including ones for an associate membership agreement with the EU and a free trade zone.

The Armenian delegation also held a meeting with members of the Armenia-EU Parliamentary Cooperation Commission. The sides discussed prospects of the Armenia-EU cooperation as well as regional security and cooperation issues.

The RA NA Speaker stressed that European orientation is one of the priorities of Armenia’s foreign and domestic policy. The sides discussed the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process and Armenian-Turkish relations. Members of the Armenian delegation, Vahan Hovhannisyan, Armen Rustamyan and Artak Zakaryan, answered the MEPs’ questions.

The European Union is an economic and political partnership between 27 European countries. The EU countries have set up bodies to run the EU and adopt its legislation. Administrative center of the European Union is Brussels.
From December 1, 2009 with the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty the European Union replaced and succeeded the European Community as a legal entity. New posts of President of the European Council and of High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy have been established. The President's term of office is two and a half years. The main responsibilities of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy is to represent EU in foreign and security affairs, chair the Council of Foreign Ministers, conduct political dialogue with other states.
The European Council defines the general political direction and priorities of the European Union. The European Council elects its President by a qualified majority. The European Council consists of the Heads of State or Government of the Member States, together with its President and the President of the Commission.

Council of the European Union is the main decision-making body of the European Union. The ministers of the Member States meet within the Council, which is also referred as Council of Ministers.

European Commission

The European Commission is the EU's executive body. It represents and upholds the interests of Europe as a whole. It drafts proposals for new European laws. It manages the day-to-day business of implementing EU policies and spending EU funds. The Commission also makes sure that everyone abides by the European treaties and laws.

European Parliament
The European Parliament is the only directly-elected body of the European Union. They are elected once every five years by voters right across the 27 Member States of the European Union. At present European Parliament has 736 members.
Armenia-EU cooperation
Brief overview

The relations with the European Union have always been high on Armenia’s foreign policy agenda. The cooperation is aimed at deepening the political and economic relations with the EU as well as implementation of reforms in the sphere of democracy and good governance.

Armenia was included into European Neighbourhood Policy in 2004 and the ENP Action Plan was signed in November 2006. According to the five year Action Plan which came into force on January 1, 2007, Armenia undertook cooperation with the EU in order to register progress in such priority areas as: justice, human rights, economy, creating favourable conditions for investment, contribution to peaceful solution of the NK conflict, regional cooperation.

In order to facilitate the implementation of the ENP Action Plan, an inter-agency commission was set up and the Secretary of National Security Council has been appointed as its Chairman. A detailed list of actions was prepared by the decree of the President in May 2009 with an implementation timetable for 2009-2011. The list identifies some 200 specific actions, directed at economic development, strengthening democracy, creation of viable civil society and enhancement of administrative capacities.

Eastern Partnership

The Summit on Eastern Partnership with the participation of heads of state and government of EU member states and six Eastern Partner countries took place on 7th May 2009 in Prague. The Armenian delegation was headed by President Serzh Sargsyan.

The main goal of the Eastern Partnership, as stated in the joint declaration, is “to create the necessary conditions to accelerate political association and further economic integration between the European Union and interested partner countries”. It is aimed at closer cooperation between the EU and 6 former Soviet Union countries – Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova and Azerbaijan.

The Eastern Partnership is being developed in bilateral and multilateral dimensions. The bilateral cooperation under the Eastern Partnership provides the foundation for Association Agreements between the EU and partner countries who are willing and able to comply with the resulting commitments.

The multilateral cooperation is being implemented through four platforms: 1) democracy, good governance and stability; 2) economic integration and convergence with EU policies; 3) energy security; and 4) people to people contacts. These frameworks were shaped by the end of 2009 and the main objectives and working plans were approved. Four deputy ministers of foreign affairs, economy, energy and culture, were designated by Armenia to coordinate the above mentioned platform activities in the country.

New contractual relations/ Association Agreement

The main document regulating Armenia’s relations with the EU is the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) which entered into force in 1999 for ten years and was to be extended each year thereafter. The bilateral cooperation under the Easter Partnership should provide the foundation for Association agreements between the EU and partner countries. The new agreement which is to replace the PCA aims at closer economic integration and political association between EU and the partner countries. The Association Agreement will include provisions on establishing a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area. Negotiations on the Association Agreement between Armenia and the European Union were launched on 19 July, 2010.

Parliamentary cooperation

The parliamentary cooperation with EU is implemented through the EU-Armenia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee. In order to create a platform for parliamentary cooperation between EU member states and Eastern Neighbours an idea of Parliamentary Assembly of European Neighbourhood East (EURONEST) has been elaborated. The Euronest Parliamentary Assembly will be composed of equal number of Members of European Parliament and equal number of MPs from Eastern Partner countries. Armenia has welcomed the idea of EURONEST as a structure of parliamentary dialogue between the EU and its Eastern Partners.

EU Advisory Group

A new development in Armenia’s relations with the European Union was the establishment of the EU Advisory Group in Armenia. The decision to send EU advisers to Armenia was made in November 2008 during the visit of President Serzh Sargsyan to the European institutions in Brussels. In accordance with the memorandum signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Edward Nalbandyan and Commissioner Benita Ferrero- Waldner, the EU advisors provide consultancy assistance to institutions of public administration /government agencies, the office of Prime Minister, the National Assembly, ministries of economy, finances and transport, as well as the State Revenues Committee and the Ombudsman’s office. Originally planned for six months, the project has proved to be a success and has been prolonged to September 2010, with a prospect of further extension. The EU advisors cooperate with government agencies in spheres of anticorruption strategy, governance reform, human rights, government debt management, raising the efficiency of customs administration, establishment of the Diplomatic Academy of the MFA of Armenia. Armenia was the first to initiate such a model and it is being introduced in other Eastern partner countries as well.

Treaties between Armenia and EU

1. Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Armenia, of the other part (signed on 22/04/1996, entered into force on 01/07/1999)

2. Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Armenia on certain aspects of air services (signed on 09/12/2009, entered into force on 12/11/2009)

Information on EU assistance projects in Armenia can be found here:

http://ec.europa.eu/delegations/armenia/projects/overview/index_en.htm

Links

EU web site- http://europa.eu/
Mission of Armenia to to EU http://www.armembassy.be/
Delegation of the EU to Armeina http://www.delarm.ec.europa.eu

[Mos]

Re: EU-Armenia Relations

Foreign Policy Doctrine:

Foreign policy

The foreign policy of the Republic of Armenia is aimed at strengthening the country’s external security, maintaining external favourable conditions for the development of the country, presenting the positions of Armenia оn the international scene, raising efficiency of protecting the interests of Armenia and its citizens abroad, deepening engagement in the international organizations and processes, strengthening cooperation with the friendly and partner states, as well as resolving regional problems and creating an atmosphere of cooperation.

One of the goals of Armenia's foreign policy is to ensure the international community's understanding of Armenia's positions, as well as provide support to them.

One of the main tasks of the foreign policy is peaceful and fair settlement of the Karabakh issue, based on the self-determination of the people of Artsakh.
The issue of Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement will be based upon the following principles:

Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement must be based on recognition of the Nagorno-Karabakh people's right to self-determination;
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic should have uninterrupted land communication with Armenia, under jurisdiction of the Armenian side;
the security of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic should be internationally guaranteed.
The agreement between all the parties to the Karabakh conflict should include solutions to all problems and the mechanisms that would ensure the implementation of those solutions in a single package.

Armenia is consistent in strengthening and deepening special partnership and allied relationship with Russia, based upon the traditional friendly ties between the two nations.

Armenia attaches importance to development and deepening of friendly partnership and enhancing cooperation with the United States.

One of the foreign policy priorities of Armenia is the integration with the European family, on the basis of the commitments, undertaken within the framework of cooperation with the European structures and organizations, and the common values.

Armenia attaches great importance to the normal relations with neighbours. Armenia advocates and seeks to establish relations, based on open borders and partnership, always being ready for a healthy dialogue.

[Mos]

Re: EU-Armenia Relations

Tigran Sargsyan:

Tigran Sargsyan:Armenia has chosen the European path of development
17.03.2011 17:17
“Armenia has chosen the European path of development. Our choice was connected with our Christian roots and the decision to get rid of the heritage of the previous autocratic administrations. Our social development had considerably changed under the Ottoman Empire and the Soviet Union. Democratic reforms have a real potential to change the social behavior, and these start from the improvement of electoral processes, reinforcement of protection of property rights, the independence of judicial authorities and formation of the middle class, which is the class of economically and socially responsible voters and citizens,” Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said, speaking at the Foreign Relations Committee of the European Parliament.

Emphasizing the importance of the programs implemented in Armenia with the EU support, the Prime Minister pointed to the geopolitical risks that hinder the implementation of reforms and continue emaciating the South Caucasus.

“First of all, the bellicose rhetoric of Azerbaijan, its uncontrolled military expenses and the obvious desire to settle the Karabakh issue in a military way increate the political tension in the region.

Second, Turkey’s continuing blockade of Armenia has reduced the opportunities to diversify the Armenian economy. Turkey’s aspirations in the region negatively affect the peaceful negotiations on the settlement of the Karabakh conflict,” Tigran Sargsyan said.

”At last, without undermining the EU’s efforts to achieve international peace and stability, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the economic sanctions against Iran are a real challenge to the development o our economic potential. The only corridor that links Armenia to the world, except Iran, passes through Georgia. The tragic events in our region in 2008 revealed Armenia’s economic vulnerability because of dependence on the only transport corridor. Then we survived only thanks to the transit of goods through Iran. The toughening of economic sanctions will sharply reduce the accessibility of this corridor, taking into consideration that our joint efforts with the EU to open the border with Turkey did not succeed,” Tigran Sargsyan sated.

[KanadaHye]

Re: EU-Armenia Relations

Tigran Sargsyan: “Armenia has chosen the European path of development. Our choice was connected with our Christian roots and the decision to get rid of the heritage of the previous autocratic administrations. Our social development had considerably changed under the Ottoman Empire and the Soviet Union. Democratic reforms have a real potential to change the social behavior, and these start from the improvement of electoral processes, reinforcement of protection of property rights, the independence of judicial authorities and formation of the middle class, which is the class of economically and socially responsible voters and citizens,” Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said, speaking at the Foreign Relations Committee of the European Parliament.

Translation: Our choice was connected with those who have enslaved the EU and we want to be part of it!! We wish to have bigger debts than Europeans so that our lives never see the light of day!!

[Mos]

Re: EU-Armenia Relations

Translation: Our choice was connected with those who have enslaved the EU and we want to be part of it!! We wish to have bigger debts than Europeans so that our lives never see the light of day!!

We are far off from ever being even considered for EU membership, until then cooperation through various structures and programs will be the means of our relationship. We do have a good amount of debts to pay, but those debts we owe mostly to Russia.

[KanadaHye]

Re: EU-Armenia Relations

I don't believe in a 3 class system where the working middle class supports the poor and works for the rich. Armenia should strive for a progressive class structure as we should see each other as equals. Dividing people into classes destroys the very fabric of society where envy and jealousy rule the decision making and force the people into class wars.

[Mos]

Re: EU-Armenia Relations

Summing up EU visit:

PM Tigran Sargsyan sums up the results of the Brussels visit
18.03.2011 17:10
Hasmik Dilanyan
“Radiolur”

“Armenia enjoys full and comprehensive support of all EU structures,” Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said at the government sitting, summing up the results of his three-day working visit to Brussels.

According to Tigran Sargsyan, it’s necessary to intensify the cooperation between all Armenian agencies and the corresponding structures of the European Union, which means the Ministers keep in contact with their counterparts in Brussels.

Tigran Sargsyan noted also that his meetings with the Belgian Prime Minister and President of the Senate showed that there is a great potential to deepen bilateral ties. The Prime Minister said the international community keeps in focus the earthquake in Japan and especially the issue of security of nuclear power plants.

Governments organize discussions in all countries, where there are nuclear power plants to discuss the existing risks and decide what additional measures should be taken to raise the security level. Similar discussions will be held in Armenia, as well, the Prime Minister noted.

[Mos]

Re: EU-Armenia Relations

I don't believe in a 3 class system where the working middle class supports the poor and works for the rich. Armenia should strive for a progressive class structure as we should see each other as equals. Dividing people into classes destroys the very fabric of society where envy and jealousy rule the decision making and force the people into class wars.

True, the rich/poor divide in Armenia is too wide, and getting wider. A progressive class structure requires shaking up Armenia's economic system and cracking down on some of the oligarchs.