Which Are the Objectives and the Principles of the EU-RA New Agreement?

• 10.23.2017, 18:10
•  Europe,  Armenia,  Info

Recently the EU published the “Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement Between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and Their Member States, of the One Part, and the Republic of Armenia, of the Other Part” initialized with Armenia, the final signing of which is expected in the near future. “Armedia” IAA presents a series of materials on the most important issues that have become topics of hot discussions.

Later, if necessary, taking into consideration public interests, we will also address those issues that are not included in this series.

 

The objective and the general principles of the Agreement are presented in Article 1 and Article 2 (3 pages in total).

As objectives of the Agreement, the following points are mentioned:

(a) to enhance the comprehensive political and economic partnership and cooperation between the Parties, based on common values and close links, including by increasing the participation of the Republic of Armenia in policies, programmes and agencies of the European Union;

(b) to strengthen the framework for political dialogue on all areas of mutual interest, promoting the development of close political relations between the Parties;

(c) to contribute to the strengthening of democracy and of political, economic and institutional stability in the Republic of Armenia;

(d) to promote, preserve and strengthen peace and stability at both regional and international level, including through joining efforts to eliminate sources of tension, enhancing border security, and promoting cross-border cooperation and good neighbourly relations;

(e) to enhance cooperation in the area of freedom, security and justice with the aim of reinforcing the rule of law and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms;

(f) to enhance mobility and people-to-people contacts;

(g) to support the efforts of the Republic of Armenia to develop its economic potential via international cooperation, including through the approximation of its legislation to the EU acquis referred to hereinafter;

(h) to establish enhanced trade cooperation allowing for sustained regulatory cooperation in relevant areas, in compliance with the rights and obligations arising from WTO membership;

and

(i) to establish conditions for increasingly close cooperation in other areas of mutual interest.

 

As for the principles of the Agreement, it is mentioned that the respect for the democratic principles, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms, as enshrined in particular in the UN Charter, the OSCE Helsinki Final Act and the Charter of Paris for a New Europe of 1990, as well as other relevant human rights instruments such as the UN Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights, shall form the basis of the domestic and external policies of the Parties and constitute an essential element of the Agreement.

Besides, the Parties reiterate their commitment to the principles of a free-market economy, sustainable development, regional cooperation and effective multilateralism. It also says that the Parties reaffirm their respect for the principles of good governance, as well as for their international obligations, in particular under the UN, the Council of Europe and the OSCE.

It also says that the Parties commit themselves to the fight against corruption, the fight against the different forms of transnational organised crime and terrorism, the promotion of sustainable development, effective multilateralism and the fight against the proliferation of WMDs and their delivery systems, including through the EU Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Risk Mitigation Centre of Excellence Initiative. This commitment constitutes a key factor in the development of the relations and cooperation between the Parties and contributes to regional peace and stability.