Armenia's EU membership law lacks operational details-MFA
YEREVAN, March 3. /ARKA/. The law on Armenia's membership in the European Union does not contain an operational section with specific actions; rather, it serves as a political message, said Paruyr Hovhannisyan, Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia.
Speaking at a meeting of the European Integration Committee in the National Assembly on Monday, Hovhannisyan noted that the development of a new agenda document is nearing completion. This document not only complements the CEPA (Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement between Armenia and the EU) but also expands the areas of cooperation with the EU.
"This document will serve as a guide for renewed relations with the EU. It is a political document that includes very specific actions to be implemented in all areas. Not a single area is left uncovered by the document," Hovhannisyan said.
He emphasized that strengthening the CEPA implementation process will enable a new level of further actions.
Armenia-EU Cooperation
The Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement between Armenia and the EU (CEPA), whose ratification process took about 3 years, entered into force on March 1, 2021.
In September 2024, the EU-Armenia visa liberalization dialogue was officially launched, and work is ongoing on a new comprehensive document called the "New Partnership Agenda."
On Armenia's EU Accession Process
On January 9, 2025, the government approved a civil initiative for Armenia's accession to the EU, proposed by the "Platform of Democratic Forces," which includes four extra-parliamentary parties and several civil movements). In order for the project to be submitted to parliament for consideration, the platform activists collected more than 52,000 signatures from Armenian citizens.
The bill was approved in the first reading by the parliament on February 12. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that Armenia can only become a member of the EU if the people approve this initiative in a referendum. He emphasized the need to discuss and develop a joint "road map" with the EU.
