In all their joint activities, Armenia and the European Union aim to:

• Promote democracy and good governance;

• Strengthen energy security;
• Promote public sector reform and environment protection;
• Encourage people to people contacts;
• Support economic and social development;
• Offer additional funding for projects that reduce socio-economic imbalances;
• Increase stability.

History

The cooperation between the European Union and Armenia has intensified substantially since 1999, when a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between the two parties came into force. The European Union has continuously supported the country in its long-term reform efforts, most recently through the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) and the Eastern Partnership.

When the European Union launched the European Neighbourhood Policy in 2004, Armenia immediately became part of this policy. The European Commission and the Armenian Government have discussed a EU/Armenia Action Plan (ENP AP), which was adopted at the end of 2006. Based on the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, which still governs the European Union's relations with Armenia, it provides a framework for collaboration with Armenia in all key reform areas. Launched in May 2009, the Eastern Partnership (EaP) provides an ambitious framework for taking Armenia’s relationship with the European Union to a new level.

In July 2010, Armenia and the European Union started negotiations on the next step of cooperation, an Association Agreement. This agreement would go beyond the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and pave the way for a free trade area. Once effective, Armenia could benefit from gradual integration into the Union’s economy and easier travel to the European Union through visa liberalisation.