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  • European Neighbourhood Policy: Armenia

    European Neighbourhood Policy: Armenia

    Reference: IP/05/237 Date: 02/03/2005


    IP/05/237

    Brussels, 2 March 2005

    European Neighbourhood Policy: Armenia

    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 modernisation
    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
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