Armenia and the European Union are close to finalising a new agreement aimed at deepening bilateral relations, officials said in Yerevan on February 25. 

The current basis of EU-Armenia relations is the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA), signed in 2017. Plans for a more ambitious 'partnership agenda' were unveiled last year, coinciding with Armenia's growing estrangement from Russia. However, EU officials have made clear that this new agenda does not imply a path to EU membership for Armenia.

Both Deputy Foreign Minister Paruyr Hovhannesyan and Arman Yeghoyan, co-chair of the Armenia-EU Parliamentary Partnership Committee, confirmed that the two sides are approaching a new partnership agreement. 

Speaking at a the committee meeting, Hovhannesyan said, as reported by Azatutyun.am, that negotiations were nearing completion, but did not reveal any specific details. "The forthcoming document will amend the existing legal framework and strengthen mutual relations," he said.

Yeghoyan also told the committee that Armenia is discussing a new partnership agenda with the European Union, according to a parliament statement. 

Nils Ushakovs, co-chair of the committee, said the EU and Armenia have never had such close relations. 

“We believe in the right of peoples and states to choose their own future. The European Parliament has already clearly expressed its support for the development and deepening of relations, but everything also depends on Armenia as to what kind of relations it seeks to have,” Ushakovs added. 

 

 

Earlier this month, the Armenian parliament passed a bill to start a process for possible EU accession, a move that drew criticism from Moscow. 

"The progress recorded in relations with the European Union in recent years demonstrates Armenia's commitment to expanding the bilateral agenda and cooperation at various levels," said Hovhannisyan.

“[The bill] was the demand of a large number of our citizens, and the ruling majority in the parliament decided to meet this initiative and advance the process through harmonious work with the government,” Yeghoyan told the committee.

However, officials also sought to manage expectations of the process. Hovhannesyan reiterated that the legislation was not tantamount to a formal application for membership.

Ushakovs also pointed out that any application for EU membership will be submitted and considered according to requirements, priorities and criteria, the parliament statement said. “It is important that we clearly convey this message to the people of Armenia, so that people understand what challenges to expect and do not have unrealistic expectations,” he added.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan recently met with European lawmakers and European Council President Antonio Costa, although official statements made no mention of an EU membership bid. Opposition leaders in Armenia warn that pursuing EU membership could have significant economic repercussions, given the country's dependence on Russia for trade, energy and investment.

According to government data, the EU accounted for 7.5% of Armenia's foreign trade between January and November 2024, while Russia's share was 41%.

Vassilis Maragos, head of the EU delegation in Yerevan, stressed the strength of the current relationship, saying it was "based on shared democratic values".