On 1 March 2021, the European Union-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) enters into force. It has now been ratified by the Republic of Armenia, all EU Member States and the European Parliament.

This Agreement provides a framework for the EU and Armenia to work together in a wide range of areas: strengthening democracy, the rule of law and human rights, creating more jobs and business opportunities, improving legislation, public safety, a cleaner environment, as well as better education and opportunities for research. This bilateral agenda also contributes to the EU’s overall aim to deepen and strengthen its relations with the countries of its Eastern neighbourhood through the Eastern Partnership framework.

“The entry into force of our Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement comes at a moment when Armenia faces significant challenges,” said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell. “Across political, economic, trade, and other sectoral areas, our Agreement aims to bring positive change to people’s lives, to overcome challenges to Armenia’s reforms agenda.”

The Agreement was signed in November 2017 and substantial parts have been provisionally applied since 1 June 2018. It plays an important role for the modernisation of Armenia, in particular through legislative approximation to EU norms in many sectors. This includes reforms in the rule of law and respect for human rights, particularly an independent, efficient and accountable justice system, as well as reforms aimed at enhancing the responsiveness and effectiveness of public institutions and at favouring the conditions for sustainable and inclusive development.

From the entry into force of the Agreement on 1 March, cooperation will be strengthened in those areas which to date were not subject to the provisional application of the Agreement.

Find out more

Press release

EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement text

EU Delegation to Armenia website

EU-Armenia relations factsheet

EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement factsheet