EU NEIGHBOURS east. The Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum (EaP CSF), funded by the European Union, and its Armenian National Platform welcomed the adoption by the Armenian National Assembly of the law launching the Republic of Armenia’s accession process to the European Union.
The Armenian parliament passed a bill ‘On starting the process of accession of the Republic of Armenia to the European Union’ in its second and final reading on 26 March.
The newly adopted law says: “The Republic of Armenia, aiming to develop democratic institutions, improve the well-being of society, strengthen the country’s security, resilience, and the rule of law, declares the launch of the process of the Republic of Armenia’s accession to the European Union.”
“This marks a pivotal and historic moment that confirms Armenia’s strategic orientation and places European integration at the core of its state-building agenda,” says a statement by EaP CSF and the Armenian National Platform. “This declaration is far more than symbolic. It carries profound political, legal, and societal significance. It lays the foundation for a new chapter in Armenia’s modern history, anchored in the principles of democracy, human rights, good governance, and the rule of law.”
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The statement also highlights the role of Armenian civil society in advocating for the country’s European integration, and says that “civil society must be recognised as a strategic partner in both Armenia’s decision-making and Armenia’s bilateral relations with the EU”.
While commending Armenia’s efforts to move closer to the EU, the statement calls on the Government of Armenia to develop and publish a comprehensive national strategy for EU accession, to establish a detailed roadmap, to resolve institutional and legal inconsistencies and to establish a dedicated Minister position.
The EaP CSF and Armenian National Platform also urge the Armenian Government to initiate formal dialogue with the European Union on signing a new, updated agreement that reflects the logic and spirit of the newly adopted law, including provisions for the establishment of a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA). “These steps are essential to unlocking the full benefits of European integration: access to EU markets, increased investment, innovation, and institutional reform mechanisms that support long-term stability and prosperity,” the statement says.
At the same time, they call on the EU and its Member States to intensify political dialogue with the Armenian Government to strengthen Armenia’s resilience, to facilitate further EU integration in light of Armenia’s explicitly articulated European aspirations, and to provide staunch political support to peace efforts and facilitate the unblocking of transport links with Azerbaijan.
