EU-ARMENIA CIVIL SOCIETY PLATFORM
2nd meeting, Yerevan, 10 March 2023
JOINT DECLARATION
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The EU-Armenia Civil Society Platform (CSP) is one of the bodies set up within the framework of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the European Union and Armenia. It enables civil society organizations from both sides to monitor the implementation process, and prepare its recommendations to the relevant authorities.
The second meeting of the CSP was held on 10 March 2023 in Yerevan, Armenia.
With regard to the implementation of the EU-Armenia CEPA the CSP members:
- note that the primary functions of the EU-Armenia bilateral civil society platform in the CEPA implementation are contribution to the process with advisory sectoral expertise, ensuring transparency and accountability of the reforms envisioned by the Agreement by concerted monitoring effort, and raising public awareness about the activities implemented within the framework of the CEPA and the EU-Armenia cooperation in general;
- Point out that an effective implementation of the CSP’s functions require effective communication between the civil society, the Government of the Republic of Armenia (“Government” hereafter) and the European Union, as well as consolidated effort in addressing the goals set by the Agreement;
- underscore that for the civil society actors engaged in the process, CEPA is not only seen as framework agreement between two partners, but also as a strong stimulus for Armenia’s democratization and social and economic development;
- in this respect, welcome the intention of the Government to engage the civil society in the process of planning, implementation and monitoring of the activities envisioned by the CEPA and express their readiness to serve as a platform for various civil society entities to contribute to this process with its knowledge and expertise;
- express their hope that the initial communication established between the EU-Armenia civil society platform and the Government will gradually institutionalize and be enriched with mechanisms of operational communication through which the recommendations, opinions and suggestions of the civil society will be received and taken into account.
- expect that such channels of institutional communication will work both ways and that the civil society will receive requests to conduct research, awareness raising, monitoring and other activities;
- point out that the effective and sustainable democratization and development of any country is possible only in conditions of peace and stability. In this respect, it is essential to refrain from any military action (such as the one that was launched in September 2022 by Azerbaijan against the sovereign territory of Armenia) and to any kind of aggressive narrative, as these are not conducive to peace but leading to further violence. It is also essential that the rights and security of Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh, including the right to self-determination are fully taken into account to ensure a comprehensive and durable conflict settlement in the interest of all people of the region. Despite the challenges Armenia should continue in its path to further integration with EU and respect of EU rules and core principles;
in the light of the aforementioned, welcome the establishment of the EU Mission in Armenia and call on the European partners to undertake all necessary steps to contribute to peace and security in the region, to insist on respect of decisions of the International Court of Justice and on the right to peaceful existence of the Armenians of Nagorno Karabagh.
Call on Azerbaijan and all others involved to stop obstructions to the Lachin corridor, in line with obligations deriving from the 9 November 2020 statement.
