Monday, March 1 2021 11:57

ArmInfo. Today, March 1, 2021, the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement between the European Union and Armenia (CEPA) comes into force.  As reported by the EU press service, now it has been ratified by the Republic of  Armenia, all EU member states and the European Parliament.

"This is an important milestone in EU-Armenia relations. This  Agreement provides a framework for the EU and Armenia to work  together in a wide range of areas: strengthening democracy, rule of  law and human rights; creating more jobs and business opportunities,  improving legislation, ensuring public safety, a cleaner environment,  and better education and research opportunities. This bilateral  agenda also contributes to the EU's common goal of deepening and  strengthening relations with the countries of its eastern  neighborhood in the framework of the Eastern Partnership. RA,  admitted to ArmInfo.

It is also noted that the High Representative of the European Union  for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice-President of the  European Commission Josep Borrell, in this regard, noted that the  entry into force of this agreement occurs at a time when Armenia is  facing serious problems.

"This is a powerful signal that the EU and Armenia are committed to  democratic principles and the rule of law, as well as a broader  reform agenda. In the political, economic, trade and other sectoral  areas, our Agreement aims to bring positive changes in people's lives  to overcome challenges. facing the reform program in Armenia,  "Borrell said.

In turn, the European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement  Oliver Varheli assured that despite the fact that Armenia is going  through difficult times today, the European Union continues to  support the Armenian people.

"The entry into force of the bilateral agreement between the EU and  Armenia on March 1 will allow us to strengthen our work in priority  areas of the economy, communications, digitalization and green  transformation. This will bring concrete benefits to the people and  is the key to socio-economic recovery and long-term sustainability of  the country. For days the main thing is to keep calm and respect  democracy and constitutional order, "Varkheli stressed.

Recall that the CEPA was signed in November 2017, and already from  June 1, 2018, a significant part of it was temporarily applied.

"Since then, the breadth and depth of bilateral cooperation between  Armenia and the European Union has steadily developed. At the 3rd  meeting of the EU-Armenia Partnership Council, held on December 17,  2020, the European Union and Armenia reaffirmed their full commitment  to the implementation of the CEPA.

The agreement plays an important role in the modernization of  Armenia, in particular, by bringing legislation closer to EU norms in  many areas. This includes reforms to the rule of law and respect for  human rights, especially an independent, effective and accountable  justice system, as well as reforms to improve the responsiveness and  effectiveness of public institutions and to create conditions for  sustainable and inclusive development.

From the date of entry into force of the Agreement on March 1,  cooperation will be strengthened in areas that have so far not been  covered by the provisional application of the Agreement. The European  Union is ready and hopes for even closer cooperation with Armenia for  the full and effective implementation of the Agreement in our common  interests and for the benefit of our societies and citizens, "the EU  stressed.