A delegation of the Council of the European Union’s Working Party on Eastern Europe and Central Asia (COEST) Armenia on September 28 for talks on the development of EU-Armenia relations. The delegation included representatives of more than two dozen EU member states, the European External Action Service and the European Commission. The talks covered political and economic cooperation, security, regional connectivity, and the implementation of the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process.

Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan told the delegation that Yerevan remained committed to deepening its partnership with the EU, referring to a law adopted by Armenia’s parliament to launch the country’s process of European integration. The sides also discussed implementation of the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement and the Strategic Agenda for the EU-Armenia Partnership, as well as prospects for expanded cooperation in the security sector.

Transport connectivity was another part of the discussions. The Armenian side presented the EU-Armenia Connectivity Partnership and stressed the importance of integrating Armenia into wider regional transport networks. Kostanyan also highlighted recent EU measures aimed at supporting Armenia’s economic resilience. In particular, he mentioned the EU regulation granting temporary trade liberalisation measures to Armenia. According to the Armenian Foreign Ministry, this gives Armenia a preferential trade arrangement despite the country not having EU candidate status or a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area with the bloc.

The COEST delegation also held separate talks with Armenia’s Security Council Secretary Alen Simonyan. Simonyan the European officials on measures intended to institutionalise the peace established between Armenia and Azerbaijan, alongside other regional issues.

Overall, the September 28 meetings addressed regional connectivity and the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process, alongside other issues relevant to Armenia-EU relations.