EU Commissioner for Enlargement to sign two agreements in Armenia

PanARMENIAN.Net - Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy Štefan Füle signs today, Sept 27, two Financing Agreements between the European Union and Armenia.

With these Financing Agreements, the European Union will support the negotiation and implementation of the future EU-Armenia bilateral agreements: Association Agreement including Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement and Visa Facilitation/Readmission Agreement. The funding will also provide budget support to the government of Armenia to address a range of issues related to the implementation of the actions agreed in the European Neighborhood Policy Action Plan for Armenia, including public administration reforms and trade facilitation.

The signing ceremony with Commissioner Füle and Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan is part of the Commissioner's visit to Armenia on September 27-28, during which he will meet with high level Armenian officials, political parties and representatives of civil society.

During the period 2011 – 2013, the EU's priority areas of cooperation with Armenia focus on improving democratic structures and good governance and facilitating trade, investment and socio-economic reform.

The basis for the Financing Agreements signed today is the ENPI Annual Action Program 2011, worth €43.1 million and composed of two actions: “Framework Program in support of the EU-Armenia agreement” – €19.1 million and “Support to the Government of Armenia for the implementation of the ENP Action Plan and the preparation for the future Association Agreement” - €24 million.