The EU Advisory Group is to assist the Armenian authorities in the preparation of a process to negotiate, conclude and implement an Association Agreement with the European Union, including setting up a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA). The Group provides tailored policy advice on legal, democratic, economic and institutional issues to the Armenian Presidency and other national authorities. Other, indirect beneficiaries are different bodies of the Republic of Armenia, the social partners and civil society organisations.

Best practices sharing

The EU Advisory Group will ensure that the Armenian authorities have direct access to best practices and reform experiences from within the European Union. This will serve to strengthen the policy-making process, including consultation processes with civil society, policy formulations and its subsequent implementation. The Group will also assist to make effective use of the Comprehensive Institution Building (CIB) programme and other instruments of technical assistance such as Twinning, TAIEX and SIGMA.

The EU Advisory Group will assist in advancing the implementation of the European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan (ENP AP), also through an increased dialogue between the national authorities and the European Commission's services. Core areas for policy advice are the following:

• Strengthening respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and enhancing democratic structures;
• Supporting reforms in the field of Justice, Liberty and Security;
• Enhancing economic integration of Armenia into the European Union's internal market.

Closer relationships

The European Union is seeking an increasingly close relationship with Armenia, going beyond cooperation, to gradual economic cooperation and a deepening of political ties through increased dialogue, which could result in Armenia's participation in the European Union's policies and programmes. Finally, Armenia and the Member States of the European Union are paving the way for enhancing the mobility of people. To make this vision a reality, Armenia has started out on a path of reform.