EU relations with Armenia are governed by the EU-Armenia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (1999), which allows for wide-ranging cooperation in the areas of political dialogue, trade, investment, economy, lawmaking and culture.

Armenia's inclusion (as one of the countries of the Southern Caucasus) in the European Neighbourhood Policy (2004) and the Eastern Partnership has demonstrated the EU's willingness to move its cooperation with the EU beyond the terms of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement.

Negotiations are underway to conclude an Association Agreement to deepen Armenia's political association and economic integration with the EU, including a deep and comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA).

The recently-negotiated Visa Facilitation and Readmission Agreements will take effect as soon as all procedures are completed.

For more details about EU-Armenia cooperation, see:

• the current ENP Action Plan for Armenia [102 KB] (2006-11) 
• the National Indicative Programme (NIP) for Armenia [227 KB] (2011-13)     

EU financial assistance

• Armenia receives funding from the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) through a national programme (see the Country Strategy Paper for Armenia 2007-13 [262 KB] as well as ENPI regional and interregional programmes.
• EU bilateral assistance to Armenia amounts to €157 m for 2011-13 (compared to €98.4 m for 2007-10).
• Within this amount, it is set to receive €32 m for 2011-13 from the Comprehensive Institution Building (CIB) programme in targeted assistance for strengthening institutions crucial to future implementation of the Association Agreement.
• As a result of progress in reforms, governance and democracy, Armenia benefitted from an additional allocation of € 15 m under the Eastern Partnership Integration and Cooperation programme (EAPIC) in 2012, in the framework of application of the 'more for more' principle of the revised European Neighbourhood Policy.
• Armenia also benefits from a number of thematic programmes such as the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR).