Tailor-made cooperation? Armenia’s new partnership agreement with the EU. EPC Policy Brief, 15 February 2018

Poghosyan, Benyamin (2018) Tailor-made cooperation? Armenia’s new partnership agreement with the EU. EPC Policy Brief, 15 February 2018. [Policy Paper]

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Abstract

At the Eastern Partnership (EaP) Summit on 24 November 2017, Armenia and the European Union (EU) signed a new Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA). It represents a second chance for Armenia to deepen ties with the EU, after the four-year relationship limbo that followed Armenia's surprise rejection of an Association Agreement in 2013. The new agreement is the first example of the EU's new differentiated approach towards the EaP countries, which takes into consideration the constraints and specific conditions unique to each of them. While the new agreement excludes free trade provisions, which would contradict Armenia's commitment to the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), it creates opportunities to improve the investment climate, strengthen sectoral cooperation and help diversify Armenia's foreign policy and economy. Success will, nevertheless, depend on the political will of Armenia's leadership to implement the agreement and turn reform commitments into tangible progress, including steps to improve the lives of citizens.

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