EU relations with Armenia are governed by the EU-Armenia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement signed in 1996 and entered into force in 1999.

Armenia became part of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) in 2004. The ENP Action Plan [102 KB] was discussed by the EU and the Armenian government and adopted on November 14, 2006.

Main EU co-operation objectives, policy responses and priority fields are defined in the Country Strategy Paper 2007-2013 [262 KB] On the basis of bilateral priorities, a National Indicative Programme (NIP) [79 KB]  for 2007-2010 was adopted in consultation with the Armenian authorities, with an indicative amount of €98,4 million allocated. For 2011-2013, EU bilateral assistance to  Armenia increases significantly, with an indicative allocation of €157 million for the NIP 2011-2013 [227 KB] . In addition to the ENPI national programme, Armenia benefits from the ENPI regional and interregional programmes, plus a number of thematic programmes such as the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights - EIDHR.

In July 2010, the EU and Armenia started negotiations on an Association Agreement to succeed the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with a view to deepen Armenia's political association and economic integration with the EU. A Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) is also intended, when relevant conditions are met.  In this context, for 2011-2013, €32 million from the Comprehensive Institution Building (CIB) programme provides targeted assistance for strengthening institutions. The EU Advisory Group continues to provide policy advice to the Armenian authorities in core areas such as human rights and democracy, justice, liberty and security and the DCFTA.

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