Skip to content

Armenia

EU relations with Armenia are based on the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement, in force since 2021. The EU is a key partner for Armenia’s reform agenda and the country’s largest donor.

Eastern Partnership

The EU cooperates with Armenia in the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy and its eastern regional dimension, the Eastern Partnership. 

EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement

EU-Armenia relations are based on a Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which was signed in November 2017, in the margins of the 5th Eastern Partnership summit. 

It entered fully into force in March 2021, following ratification by the Republic of Armenia, all EU member states and the European Parliament.

The agreement provides a framework for the European Union and Armenia to continue working together for the benefit of Armenian citizens.

Through the agreement, Armenia has committed to pursuing a comprehensive reform agenda based on democracy, transparency and the rule of law – in particular the fight against corruption, reforming the judiciary and enhancing its accountability to citizens, and ensuring equal economic, employment and social opportunities for all.

The agreement has also enabled stronger cooperation in sectors such as energy, transport, the environment and trade.

In December 2025, the EU and Armenia adopted a new strategic agenda for the EU-Armenia partnership, marking a significant step forward in the deepening of political, economic and sectoral cooperation between the two partners. 

Partnership Council

The Partnership Council is the highest formal institution established under the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement, and supervises the implementation of the agreement.

The sixth EU-Armenia Partnership Council took place on 2 December 2025. The Council reviewed the implementation of the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement and discussed the bilateral political dialogue covering reform, democracy, rule of law and human rights.

Visa dialogue

The EU-Armenia visa facilitation agreement entered into force in January 2014. This agreement  reduces visa fees for Armenian citizens and waives fees for certain categories of applicants.

In September 2024, the EU launched a visa liberalisation dialogue with Armenia  to support Armenia in its long-term goal of achieving a visa-free travel regime with the EU. 

EU-Armenia summit

On 5 May 2026, the EU and Armenia held their first-ever summit. The summit was a key opportunity to further strengthen bilateral relations, in particular on connectivity, energy, transport and digital cooperation.

The leaders also discussed current global challenges, such as the latest developments in the wider region, including Ukraine and the impact of the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. At the end of the summit, leaders adopted a joint declaration.

Armenia-Azerbaijan normalisation process

Support for peace

The EU fully supports the normalisation of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, based on mutual recognition of each other’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of borders, in line with the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration.  

The EU has been working for years with both parties and international partners to create the conditions for lasting peace, with the personal involvement of consecutive presidents of the European Council and through the continued efforts of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia.

In August 2025, the EU welcomed the initialling of the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty and the signing of a political declaration. This agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan marks a significant breakthrough to end decades of conflict. 

The EU stands ready to invest in regional connectivity and a full opening up, to benefit first and foremost populations divided by conflict legacies, and to bring the region closer to sustainable peace, stability and prosperity.

Civilian missions in Armenia

The EU has established two civilian missions in Armenia under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP):

  • Civilian Mission in Armenia (EUMA)
  • EU Partnership Mission in Armenia (EUPM Armenia) 

Civilian Mission in Armenia (EUMA)

On 23 January 2023, the Council agreed to establish the Civilian Mission in Armenia (EUMA). The objective of the mission is to contribute to:

  • stability in the border areas of Armenia and Azerbaijan
  • building confidence on the ground

The deployment of EUMA follows the Council's decision of 17 October 2022 to deploy a team of monitoring experts along the Armenian side of the international border with Azerbaijan with the objective of monitoring, analysing and reporting on the situation in the region. 

The mission’s mandate will remain active until February 2027.

EU Partnership Mission in Armenia (EUPM Armenia) 

The Council agreed to establish the EU Partnership Mission in Armenia (EUPM Armenia) on 21 April 2026. The mission, launched on 13 July 2026, supports Armenia in addressing hybrid challenges, including:

  • cyber threats
  • foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI)
  • illicit financial flows

EUPM Armenia was established at the request of the Armenian government and reflects the EU's firm commitment to support the country's resilience and democratic institutions.

The mission will have an initial mandate of two years.

Financial assistance

The EU is Armenia’s largest donor, having provided significant assistance ever since the country gained independence. 

The EU is also providing technical and financial assistance to ensure the effective implementation of the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement. 

Resilience and growth plan

In April 2024, the EU announced a resilience and growth plan for Armenia to underpin the new partnership agenda. The aim is to boost Armenia’s socio-economic reform agenda and to promote regional connectivity. 

The plan is worth €270 million for the period 2024-2027 and aims to leverage investments in connectivity, resilience and business development.

The resilience and growth plan will focus on the following priorities:

  • a resilient Armenian society
  • investing in connectivity and businesses
  • bringing Armenia closer to Europe

Investments

The EU is supporting Armenia with investments aimed at improving the lives of Armenian citizens and fostering economic growth and the creation of jobs. EU investments finance, for example: 

  • a sustainable, innovative and competitive economy (i.e. through direct support for 30 000 SMEs)
  • connectivity, socio-economic development and the North-South corridor
  • digital transformation, innovation, science and technology
  • energy efficiency and green buses
  • resilience in the southern regions

Under the Global Gateway strategy, EU investments in Armenia are expected to reach €2.5 billion, fostering inclusive growth and connectivity.

Reforms and society

The EU supports socioeconomic development and reforms in Armenia through the Neighbourhood Development and Cooperation Instrument.

Through its funds, the EU supports democratic governance reforms in Armenia, the rule of law and the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. It supports reforms in the justice sector, promotes the independence of the judiciary, and contributes to the improvement of infrastructure.

The EU supports civil society initiatives that promote anti-corruption reforms and act as government watchdogs in Armenia.

The EU is also funding better energy exchange and transit between Armenia and Georgia, in part by linking Armenia to the EU’s power grid.

Trade

The EU was Armenia’s fourth biggest trading partner in 2024, representing 7.5% of Armenia’s total trade in goods, 4.7% of Armenia’s exports and 9.7% of Armenia’s imports.

Armenia primarily exports manufactured goods and mining products to the EU.

The EU provides Armenian companies with funding, training and export support for new markets through the EU4Business initiative. Since 2009, more than €473 million has been allocated to companies, 25 000 enterprises have been supported and 900 new jobs have been created.

Humanitarian aid

As a result of Azerbaijan’s military operation in September 2023 in Nagorno-Karabakh, more than 121 000 Karabakh Armenians have fled to Armenia. 

The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan has triggered a displacement crisis in the region, leaving thousands of people in need of basic support like shelter, food assistance and access to health.

The EU continues to provide humanitarian support for those displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh. Since 2020, the European Union has allocated over €40.4 million in humanitarian aid to provide emergency support for those affected. 

EU humanitarian assistance includes food, hygiene and household items, multi-purpose cash assistance, shelter, education in emergencies, health and psychosocial support and medical equipment.

The EU’s humanitarian relief operations support early recovery aid to help conflict-affected people rebuild their lives by providing vocational training, and support the overwhelmed national social system in addressing the basic needs of those who are most vulnerable. 

EU humanitarian funding is provided in line with the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence. 

Support for the Armenian armed forces

Between 2024 and 2026, the EU allocated €30 million through the European Peace Facility to support the Armenian armed forces.

This assistance measure aims to enhance the logistical capacities of the Armenian armed forces, and to contribute to the improved protection of civilians in crises and emergencies.

It also aims to boost the resilience of Armenia and accelerate the interoperability of its armed forces in the event of the possible future participation of the country in international military missions and operations, including those deployed by the EU.

See also

Eastern Partnership

Eastern Partnership

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan

Georgia

Georgia

Topics

Last review: 13 July 2026