European Neighbourhood Policy - Armenia

Summary: March 2, 2005: European Neighbourhood Policy - Armenia (Brussels)

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The European Commission is recommending a significant intensification of relations with Armenia, through the development of an Action Plan under the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). This recommendation is based on the Commission's Country Report published today, which provides a comprehensive overview of the political and economic situation in Armenia and the state of its bilateral relations with the European Union. The ENP goes beyond the existing Partnership and Co operation Agreement to offer the prospect of an increasingly close relationship with the EU, involving a significant degree of economic integration and a deepening of political cooperation. It is now for the Council of Ministers to decide the next steps.

Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, commented "The European Neighbourhood Policy gives us an opportunity to take relations with Armenia up a gear. I very much hope that the Council will give the go ahead to negotiate an Action Plan, so that we can work out a joint agenda for action in the coming years. Progress in our relationship will reflect the efforts and success of the country itself."

In June 2004, Armenia (together with Azerbaijan and Georgia) was included in the European Neighbourhood Policy, at its request and following a recommendation made by the European Commission. The Commission was invited to report on progress made by each country with regard to political and economic reforms. Today, the Commission provides an assessment of bilateral relations between the EU and Armenia, reflecting progress under the existing Partnership and Co-operation Agreement and describing the current situation in areas of particular interest for the ENP partnership: the development of political institutions based on the values - democracy, the rule of law, human rights - enshrined in the Agreement; regional stability and co-operation in justice and home affairs; and economic and social reforms that will create new opportunities for development and modernisation, for further liberalisation of trade and for gradual participation in the Internal Market.

Key objectives for the Action Plan should include:

Strengthening the rule of law, of democratic structures and pluralism (e.g. the reform of electoral legislation in line with Council of Europe (CoE) and Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) recommendations and the holding of democratic elections; constitutional reform taking into account CoE recommendations; reform of local self-government);
Strengthening respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, especially regarding freedom of expression and freedom of assembly;
Improvements in the business climate as well as public sector modernization
Further efforts to tackle corruption and fraud
Reform of tax and customs administrations and legislation
Progress in poverty reduction
Progress on sustainable development and environmental protection
The decommissioning of the Medzamor Nuclear Power Plant
Progress towards conflict resolution and enhanced regional cooperation.

Prudent macroeconomic policies need to be maintained to support effective implementation of an Action Plan.

For more information on the European Neighbourhood Policy:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/world/enp/index_en.htm

Ref: EC05-088EN
EU source: European Commission
UN forum:
Date: 2/3/2005

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