For the first time high-ranking Armenian officials met representatives from EU institutions and civil society in Brussels on February 21 for a round table discussion of a future European Neighbourhood Policy for Armenia.

In July 2004, the EU's Council of Ministers endorsed the inclusion of Armenia in the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), based on a recommendation of the European Commission. Along with Armenia, two other Southern Caucasus countries were invited into the ENP: Azerbaijan and Georgia. This instable region was identified by the EU's December 2003 European Security Strategy for close monitoring by the EU. The ENP objective is to share the benefits of the enlarged EU with its neighbouring countries but distinct from full EU membership, thus avoiding hard political and economic divisions across the continent. Transformations for Armenia involve economic integration, political cooperation and societal reforms.

Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia all have so-called Partnership and Cooperation Agreements (PCAs) with the EU. But offering them ENP status will mean a significantly enhanced partnership with the EU. The Commission will prepare country reports to be presented to the European Council in spring 2005. Armenia's report is being developed and due by mid-March. The reports will, in turn, eventually lead to an action plan for each country, tailored to fit its needs and interests for a three-to-five year period.

How far are the partners willing to go?

The outcome of the round table couldn't have been clearer about Armenia's part. "Entering the ENP is very valuable to us," said Armen Baiburdian, deputy foreign minister of Armenia. He added: "The aim is to bring Armenia to a European-level developed country, with EU institutions and EU values...to join the EU family." He stressed the progress Armenia has made since 1999, when Armenia signed its European Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA). The latter is a first-stage relationship between the EU and Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

In Armenia, 24 working groups have been set up to comply to PCA implementation along with the appointment and training of around 150 government officials with the support the EU-funded project know as AEPLAC.

Alona Bruce, deputy to the director of the Open Society Institute in Brussels, emphasised the value of civil society's contribution to the EU's country reports and action plans. Michael Emerson, senior research fellow at the Brussels-based Centre for European Policy Studies welcomed Armenia's future ENP, but said the country still has a number of standards to reach. These concern conflict resolution with Azerbaijan; economic, social and judicial transformations; and better communication with Armenia's neighbours of Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Russia. Regarding Armenia's economy, for instance, Daniel Gros, CEPS' director, said the country's exports to the EU are still very low - only 10 % of its gross domestic product.