Armenia

EU – Armenia Relations

The EU cooperates with Armenia through the Eastern Partnership, the eastern dimension of the European Neighbourhood Policy. Relations are grounded in the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA), signed in Brussels in November 2017 and in force since 1 March 2021. 

CEPA establishes a modern, comprehensive, and ambitious framework for cooperation across key areas such as energy, transport, environment, trade, and governance, ultimately benefiting Armenian citizens. It reflects the evolving political and economic interests shared by both sides.

In December 2025, both sides adopted Strategic Agenda for the EU-Armenia Partnership. This is an ambitious “roadmap” to boost the implementation of the CEPA. It is based on three building blocks: 1) reinforced security and defence cooperation; 2) increased sectoral cooperation supporting economic diversification, further regulatory alignment in key sectors; and 3) renewed investments under the Global Gateway in line with the political priorities.

EU – Armenia Cooperation

The EU is Armenia’s largest donor and a key political and economic partner.

To support this Agenda, President Ursula von der Leyen announced a €270 million Resilience and Growth Plan (RGP) for 2024–2027. EU assistance focuses on three strategic priorities:

• Investing in connectivity and business development
• Bringing Armenia closer to the EU, through regulatory alignment and visa liberalisation dialogue
• Building a resilient and inclusive society

Funding is provided under the NDICI–Global Europe instrument, guided by the Multi-annual Indicative Programme (2021-2027) and the Multi-annual Action Plan (2025-2027). Armenia also benefits from regional initiatives supporting civil society, digitalisation, and sustainable development under the Eastern Partnership framework.

Since the adoption of the Resilience and Growth Plan, the EU-Armenia joint investment portfolio under the Global Gateway has grown significantly – reaching over €2.5 billion in expected mobilised investments. Projects focus on support to small and medium-sized enterprises, transport, education, energy efficiency, and water management, as well as large-scale connectivity infrastructure linked to Armenia’s Crossroads of Peace initiative. initiative.

A dedicated Team Europe Initiative (TEI) Resilient Syunik is supporting the sustainable long-term development of the Syunik region. The Initiative aims to strengthen the region’s socioeconomic and institutional resilience by i) improving business environment for MSMEs and the private sector; ii) increasing access to reliable potable water supplies; iii) enhancing quality education and health services; iv) promoting green and sustainable development; v) fostering social inclusion for vulnerable groups. Some €200 million have been allocated to support more than 40 ongoing projects under the Initiative.

Regional context

EU-Armenia relations are also shaped by the EU’s broader Strategic Approach to the Black Sea region, announced in May 2025. The EU will take forward regional cooperation on connectivity through closer cooperation with Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Georgia, Türkiye, Armenia and Azerbaijan. The strategy seeks to bring tangible benefits to Black Sea partners and the EU by investing in and deepening key mutually beneficial partnerships.

Key facts and figures

Stronger Economy

• In 2024, the EU supported 11,853 small and medium-sized enterprises and funded 40 projects. Together, these projects generated over 27,300 new jobs and contributed to a notable 17.2% increase in the total turnover of small and medium-sized enterprises in Armenia.
• In 2025, two projects, financed by the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), were signed: One for the Yerevan Customs and Logistics Centre, advancing trade diversification; another supporting business expansion for refugees and host communities, promoting socio-economic inclusion and private sector development.
• In 2026, at the first EU-Armenia Summit, the European Commission launched a Call for Expressions of Interest aimed at identifying concrete investment opportunities across key sectors in Armenia – such as transport, energy, and digital – and accelerating their implementation. Six Letters of Intent were also signed, providing an initial indication of the types of strategic investments that the Call is designed to mobilise.

Stronger Governance

• The EU supports democratic reforms, rule of law, anti-discrimination efforts, and the promotion and protection of human and fundamental rights through regional projects, such as the Partnership for Good Governance together with the Council of Europe.
• The EU stands firmly committed to helping the Armenian Government improve electoral legislation and strategic communication.
• The EU supports civil society, with a focus on democratic governance and policy dialogue, through the Country Roadmap for Engagement (2021-2027). To this end, €9.6 million have been announced for 2025-2027 under the Resilience and Growth Plan.
• Armenia has become a regional leader in e-governance, thanks to EU-funded systems for e-documents, tax declarations, e-visas, as well as civil status, vehicle and business registries.
• Likewise, within the framework of the Resilience and Growth Plan, €90 million in multi sector budget support and €53 million in technical assistance are dedicated to driving and implementing priority reforms, including in the rule of law, jobs, skills and social inclusion, energy or transport.

Stronger Connectivity

• The EU promotes regional connectivity through the Strategic Approach to the Black Sea region and a dedicated Connectivity Agenda, remaining committed to contributing to a prosperous and stable South Caucasus by fostering ties across the region, bringing economies and people closer together.
• Armenia plays a key role in the joint development of the Cross-Regional Connectivity Agenda linking Europe, the South Caucasus, Türkiye, and Central Asia.
• Under the Resilience and Growth Plan, €50.5 million in investments is already advancing connectivity and socioeconomic resilience.
• Following the EU-Armenia Summit in May 2026, a Connectivity Partnership between the EU and Armenia was also launched. This Partnership will be anchored in an EU-Armenia High-Level Dialogue on Connectivity and will focus on key projects in transport, energy and digital connectivity – strengthening security and resilience while unlocking Armenia’s tech potential, especially in AI and advanced technologies.
• The EU supports small and medium-sized enterprises financing, education infrastructure, and water management under Global Gateway.
• The EU initiated a comprehensive EU-Armenia Air Transport Agreement. Once in force, the Agreement will pave the way for a larger exchange of travellers, lower airfare prices, and new business opportunities.

Stronger Society

• A visa liberalisation dialogue was launched in September 2024, covering key areas such as border management, migration and asylum, security of travel documents, public order, external relations and fundamental rights. In November 2025, the EU presented a formal Visa Liberalisation Action Plan (VLAP) to Armenian authorities. Once Armenia fulfils the benchmarks set out in the VLAP and implements required reforms, Armenians will enjoy visa-free short stays (up to 90 days in any 180-day period) in the EU.
• Between 2021-2027, 3,500 students and academics from Armenia participated in Erasmus+ exchanges.
• The EU is providing €32 million for the education sector (2023-2025), focusing on secondary schooling and supporting access to quality learning in rural areas. In 2025, the construction/renovation of 13 schools was initiated, 95% in all schools of Armenia introduced professional orientation clubs, half of the schools of the marzes (provinces) of Ararat, Kotayk, and Gegharkunik were equipped with at least 3 modern STEM labs, and over 90% of STEM teachers in grades 6, 8 and 11 were trained.
• The EU allocated over €78 million to address the needs of Karabakh Armenians, including €21 million in humanitarian aid and €40 million in budget support to facilitate their socio-economic inclusion.

Further information

Factsheets available to download