Deepening the EU-Armenia relations: new challenges and unlimited opportunities
Relations between Armenia and European countries boast a history that spans thousands of years. The time has
come now to return to these roots and renew the old ties and reconceptualize them in a new way to kick-start the
process of deeper integration of Armenia with Europe. Now, the desire of the Armenian society to see this
integration come true is stronger than ever as its political, economic, and security-related motives have gained a
significant urgency.
The Armenia-Europe Conference “THE STRATEGIC FUTURE OF ARMENIA” was created by the Eastern Partnership
Civil Society Forum’s Armenian National Platform (EAP CSF ANP) and the Union of Armenians in Europe (based in
Sofia with Branches in Brussels, Madrid, and other European capitals) with the support of the EU-Armenia (CEPA)
Civil Society Platform and the “Institute of Nations” Development Foundation. In fact, it is the continuation of the
Independence Forum held on September 30. The event aims to create a platform that will bring together prominent
politicians, experts, civil society actors – leaders of public opinion under a European roof to debate the advantages
and the obstacles of the European integration of Armenia and the existing possibilities for cooperation in different
fields. The event will cover the political, legal, economic, and security fields, to name a few. In addition, the creators
of the conference intend to make the conference an annual event and later include other fields such as culture,
education, science, environment, and many more.
The dramatic changes that recently emerged in the mood of Armenian society and the review of the foreign policy
of Armenia’s authorities have brought Armenia a step closer to deepening its integration with Europe by means of
a proper and healthy public discourse. The strengthening of ties between Armenia and Europe, which is now the
public order of the Armenian society, is a matter that must first be discussed and debated on professional platforms
and then be catered to the society through awareness campaigns that will allow it to shape and fashion a vision for
this endeavor in a professional manner. The civil society of Armenia, as well as its political parties that have been
fighting to strengthen the sovereignty of Armenia for years, have, can, and should keep contributing to these
processes. The ratification of the Rome Statute by the Armenian Parliament was initiated by the leadership of the
EaP CSF Armenian National Platform, and the stance of the ANP and the political and civic powers to take part in
the Conference is that there is an urgent need to rethink and review Armenia’s foreign policy through the prism of
politics, economy, and security.
Now, what comes next? What vision does the Security strategy of the Republic of Armenia pursue and is the
strategic turnover possible at all? Who should Armenia build economic security and a defense strategy with? What
are the general (institutional) toolkits available for strengthening the sovereignty of the State of Armenia? How can
the Diaspora contribute to the development of the Republic of Armenia? How can Armenia strengthen its role in
the Eastern Partnership? How can bridges of cooperation based on democracy, the rule of law and peace be built
in the region? What is the next step after all of the objectives set out by the Armenia-EU Comprehensive and
Enlarged Partnership Agreement (CEPA) have been fulfilled? What are the existing opportunities and prospects for
the Armenia-EU political and economic integration? What are the prospects of Armenia for EU membership? These
and many other questions will be addressed during the Conference.
Recommendations for EC and the Armenian Government, as well as a declaration will be adopted at the end of the
event. The event will be covered in the media and sections of it will be livestream on television and social media.
