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Council of the EU
EU-Armenia Partnership Council, 18 May 2022
Joint press statement following the 4th meeting of the EU-Armenia Partnership Council
EU HR Borrell meets MFA of ArmeniaThe EU-Armenia Partnership Council met for the fourth time in Brussels on 18 May 2022, and for the first time since the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) entered into force on 1 March 2021. The meeting took place in a particularly difficult international context that has created multiple challenges to both the EU and to Armenia in terms of security and economic stability.
The Partnership Council reviewed the implementation of the CEPA, which covers a wide range of cooperation sectors in the political, economic and trade areas, and welcomed the progress achieved. The EU welcomed Armenia’s commitment to CEPA implementation, appreciated positively the reforms undertaken and encouraged the government to pursue its reform agenda to the benefit of Armenian citizens, which the EU fully supports.
The Partnership Council reiterated the shared commitment of the EU and Armenia to human rights, fundamental freedoms, the rule of law and democratic principles. The Partnership Council welcomed the accomplishments to date in the implementation of Armenia’s national strategy for judicial and legal reforms and its national anti-corruption strategy, while acknowledging that challenges remain. The EU is engaged in a constructive policy dialogue with Armenia and provides significant financial and technical support to these reforms efforts. The EU is committed to work with Armenia to make further progress towards freedom of the media and freedom of expression, as well as on the fight against discrimination.
In the area of transport, the Partnership Council welcomed the signature of the Common Aviation Area Agreement on 15 November 2021. With this agreement, both sides engage in a process to improve Armenia’s aviation safety that may gradually lead to Armenia’s inclusion in the EU’s aviation market with new air transport opportunities, more direct connections and economic benefits to both sides.
The Partnership Council noted that, following its graduation from the Generalised Scheme of Preferences, Armenia can no longer benefit from the generous access to the EU market offered by the scheme. It however highlighted that while CEPA did not provide for preferential tariffs for trade in goods, it contained important potential for benefitting bilateral trade flows that should be fully exploited.
The Partnership Council agreed that nuclear safety was a priority and took note of Armenia’s progress in this regard and of Armenia’s commitment to implement fully the National Action Plan adopted as a part of the EU supported stress test process. It also reaffirmed the importance of combatting climate change under the Paris Agreement and in accordance with the CEPA. To this end, the EU welcomed Armenia’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution targets and encouraged Armenia to adopt a Long-Term Low Emissions Development Strategy, aiming at reaching climate neutrality by 2050, in line with the EU’s commitment.
The Partnership Council welcomed EU-Armenia cooperation in the areas of employment and education, underlining the importance to amend the Labour Code and revise legislation on trade unions and employers to further align the Armenian legal framework with the International Labour Organisation fundamental conventions. The EU encouraged Armenia’s efforts to adopt the new education strategy and reiterated its interest to strengthen cooperation with the Armenian authorities on Education, Training and Youth strategies. The Partnership Council expressed appreciation for the successful cooperation on Erasmus+ and welcomed the association of Armenia to the EU programme Horizon Europe that will allow the continuation of the participation of Armenian researchers and research entities to European Research and Innovation projects.
The Partnership Council took note of Armenia’s willingness to start a visa liberalisation dialogue with the EU. The EU noted the overall good implementation of the Visa Facilitation agreement and of the Readmission agreements and invited Armenia to sustain its efforts.
The Partnership Council agreed on the importance of the Eastern Partnership framework as an essential cooperation platform. It also reiterated that the fundamental issues of democracy, good governance, rule of law, fight against corruption, human rights and gender equality remained the cornerstone of the Eastern Partnership policy framework. The Partnership Council noted that Armenia stood to benefit from the Eastern Partnership’s agenda of recovery, resilience and reform1,2, and from the ambitious Economic and Investment Plan (EIP) with flagship initiatives determined by EU and Armenia, underpinning this agenda that will provide support to stimulate jobs and growth, support connectivity, the green and digital transition, education and development of southern regions.
Ahead of the Partnership Council, the EU issued the Partnership Implementation Report on developments in Armenia and EU-Armenia relations since the previous Partnership Council in December 2020. The report underlines Armenia’s progress in implementing the CEPA and the key role of the EU in supporting it3.
The Partnership Council was chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, Mr Ararat Mirzoyan, and the EU delegation was led by the High Representative and Vice President of the European Commission, Mr Josep Borrell. The Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Mr Olivér Várhelyi also participated in the meeting.
1SWD(2021) 186 final, 2.7.2021
2https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/international-summit/2021/12/15/
3https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-9214-2022-INIT/en/pdf
Meeting information
Brussels
18 May 2022
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Council of the EU
Foreign Affairs Council (Defence), 17 May 2022
Main results
The result of our defence investments gap analysis is that Europeans need to spend together more and better. Spending together is the best way to spend better.Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Current affairs
The High Representative updated the Council on the situation in Mali.
In light of the lack of guarantees from the transition authorities on non-interference by Russian mercenaries with the Malian armed forces trained by the EU Training Mission, and the increasing pattern of collusion and allegations of grave human rights abuses, the Council decided to confirm the provisional decision taken in April to suspend operational training for units of the Malian armed forces and national guard. The EU has also suspended the delivery of military equipment under the European Peace Facility, which was on its way.
However, the EU is not leaving the Sahel, and will relocate military resources to the neighbouring countries.
A strategic review of EUTM Mali will be presented in the coming weeks.
Infographic - A Strategic Compass for the EUSee full infographic
CSDP missions and operations in the implementation of the Strategic Compass
The Foreign Affairs Council discussed the implementation of the Strategic Compass. It contains over 80 concrete actions with clear timelines for delivery, 51 of which have to be implemented by the end of 2022.
The Council focused in particular on how the EU can adapt its Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions and operations, and make them more effective. The discussion highlighted the need to have greater flexibility when responding to partners' needs, more targeted training, accompaniment, equipment, and adaptability to the security environment. One option could be for example to authorise executive tasks, such as accompaniment. Ministers stressed the importance of preventing crises, by offering partners training, advice or equipment before a conflict erupts, possibly working in smaller and more agile teams.
Russian aggression against Ukraine
EU ministers of defence discussed the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine with the participation of the NATO Deputy Secretary-General, Mircea Geoană, and the Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Oleksii Reznikov. The latter informed ministers of the situation on the ground and the needs of the Ukrainian army, which the EU continues to support.
The High Representative stressed that EU support is making a difference on the battlefield, and that the EU needs to sustain the effort and replenish Ukrainian resources and stockpiles.
He also announced that an additional tranche of €500 million under the European Peace Facility would soon bring the EU's total military support for the Ukrainian armed forces since the start of Russia's invasion to €2 billion.
The EU Advisory Mission to Ukraine (EUAM Ukraine) will start its redeployment in Kyiv. It has developed two additional work strands, related to supporting border management and investigation and prosecution of war crimes.EU response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine (background information)
European Defence Agency steering board
The European Defence Agency's (EDA) ministerial steering board met before the Council meeting.
It discussed the ‘Scoping EU defence investment gaps’ analysis that the agency produced as requested by the Heads of State or Government at their informal meeting in Versailles on 10-11 March 2022. The steering board also approved the establishment of a Hub for EU Defence Innovation (HEDI) within the EDA.Outcome of the EDA steering board, 17 May 2022 (EDA)
Hub for defence and innovation established within EDA, May 2022 (EDA)
The Council also adopted without discussion the items that figured in the list of legislative and non-legislative A items.
Meeting information
Meeting n°3869-2
Brussels
17 May 2022
10:15
Preparatory documentsProvisional agenda
List of A items, legislative deliberations
List of A items, non-legislative activities
Background brief
Outcome documentsList of participants
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European Union Military Committee (EUMC), EU chiefs of defence, 18 May 2022
Main results
The EU Chiefs of Defence (CHODs) met for the Military Committee meeting at CHODs level in Brussels, today.
The meeting was the opportunity for discussing the implications of the current geopolitical situation and the main Common Security and Defence Policy military activities, with a special focus on the paramount implementation of the Strategic Compass, and particularly on achieving the EU ability to project security, through the new EU Rapid Deployment Capacity (EU RDC), by 2025.
On a global scenario already severely impacted by different crises around the world, with terrorism, uncontrolled migrations, cyber and hybrid threats, exacerbated by the pandemic, the unjustified and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by Russia has brought back conventional war on the European soil, with unpredictable consequences on our security. We, the EU CHODs, must be firmly committed to implement rapidly the new tools that the Strategic Compass indicates, for the benefit of the EU and the security of the European citizens. In this regard and in the wake of all my predecessors, I cannot but renew my strongest commitment in this endeavour too.General Robert Brieger, chairing this meeting for the first time
Concerning the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, the CHODs appreciated the remarkable work done by the EU Military Staff and its Clearing House Cell in monitoring the delivery of military equipment from EU Member States, contributing to declaring their eligibility for reimbursement, under the European Peace Facility mechanism.
CHODs reiterated the importance in establishing and fostering strong relationships with partners that share EU values and principles. In this regard, the meeting was also a good possibility to touch upon the cooperation with NATO and partners, which are currently contributing to EU Training Missions and Operations. The CHODs from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Moldova and the Deputy Serbian CHOD attended the meeting.
During the meeting, CHODs selected Lieutenant General Michiel Van Der Laan (The Netherlands) as the new Director General of the EU Military Staff / Director of the Military Planning and Conduct Capability, to replace Vice Admiral Hervé Blejean, at the end of his term, in 2023.
The EUMC is composed of the CHODs of the 27 Member States, who are regularly represented by their permanent Military Representatives (MilReps). The EUMC provides the Political and Security Committee (PSC) with advices and recommendations on all relevant military matters.
The EUMC has a permanent Chairman, selected by the Chiefs of Defence of the Member States and appointed by the Council for three years.
Meeting information
Meeting n°CHOD18052022
18 May 2022
