Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Armenia establishing a framework for the participation of the Republic of Armenia in European Union crisis management operations
Date: 2025-06-30
Institutions: Armenia, European Union
Subjects: Armenia, agreement (EU), common foreign and security policy, crisis management




L_202501553EN.000101.fmx.xml












Official Journal of the European Union


EN
L series













2025/1553


31.7.2025






Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Armenia establishing a framework for the participation of the Republic of Armenia in European Union crisis management operations


THE EUROPEAN UNION (the ‘Union’ or the ‘EU’),
of the one part, and
THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA (‘Armenia’),
of the other part,
hereinafter jointly referred to as the ‘Parties’,
ACKNOWLEDGING that in the framework of its common security and defence policy, the Union may decide to undertake crisis management operations which may include the tasks set out in Articles 42(1) and 43(1) of the Treaty on European Union, as decided by the Council of the European Union (the ‘Council’);
RECOGNISING the importance of world peace for the development of all States, and REMAINING COMMITTED to contributing towards maintaining peace and security in their respective neighbourhoods and in the broader world, based on the principles of the Charter of the United Nations;
CONSIDERING the commitment between the Parties to strengthen their cooperation in matters concerning security and defence, and recognising that the capabilities and abilities of personnel and forces of Armenia could be used in EU crisis management operations;
DESIROUS of setting down general conditions regarding the participation of Armenia in EU crisis management operations in an agreement establishing a framework for such possible future participation, rather than defining those conditions on a case-by-case basis for each operation concerned;
CONSIDERING that this Agreement should be without prejudice to the decision-making autonomy of the Union, and should not prejudge the case-by-case nature of the decision by Armenia to participate in an EU crisis management operation;
WHEREAS the Union will decide whether third States will be invited to participate in an EU crisis management operation. Armenia may accept the invitation by the Union and offer its contribution. In such a case, the Union will decide on the acceptance of the proposed contribution;
HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:




SECTION I



GENERAL PROVISIONS



Article 1

Decisions relating to participation


1.   Following the decision of the Union to invite Armenia to participate in an EU crisis management operation, Armenia shall, in the implementation of this Agreement, communicate the decision of its competent authority regarding its participation, including its proposed contribution, to the Union.


2.   The Union shall provide Armenia with an early indication of the likely contribution to the common costs of the operation as soon as possible with a view to assisting Armenia in the formulation of its offer.


3.   The assessment by the Union of the proposed contribution by Armenia shall be conducted in consultation with the latter.


4.   The Union shall communicate in writing to Armenia the outcome of its assessment and decision on the proposed contribution by Armenia, with a view to securing the participation of Armenia, in accordance with this Agreement.


5.   The contribution proposed by Armenia pursuant to paragraph 1, and its acceptance by the Union pursuant to paragraph 4, shall constitute the basis for the application of this Agreement to each specific EU crisis management operation.


6.   Armenia may, on its own initiative or at the request of the Union, and following consultations between the Parties, withdraw wholly or in part, at any time, from participation in an EU crisis management operation.



Article 2

Framework


1.   Armenia shall associate itself with the relevant Decision by which the Council decides that the Union will conduct a crisis management operation, and with any other Decision by which the Council decides to extend a crisis management operation, in accordance with this Agreement and any required implementing arrangements.


2.   The contribution of Armenia to an EU crisis management operation shall be without prejudice to the decision-making autonomy of the Union.



Article 3

Status of personnel and forces of Armenia


1.   The status of personnel seconded to an EU civilian crisis management operation and that of personnel and forces contributed to an EU military crisis management operation by Armenia shall be governed by the relevant status of forces agreement or status of mission agreement, if such agreement is concluded, or by any other arrangement between the Union and the State(s) in which the operation is conducted. Armenia shall be informed thereof.


2.   The status of personnel contributed to headquarters or command elements located outside the State(s) in which the EU crisis management operation takes place shall be governed by arrangements between the headquarters and command elements concerned and the competent authorities of Armenia.


3.   Without prejudice to the status of forces agreement or status of mission agreement referred to in paragraph 1, Armenia shall exercise jurisdiction over its personnel participating in the EU crisis management operation. Where the forces of Armenia operate on board a vessel or aircraft of a Member State of the Union, that Member State may exercise jurisdiction subject to any existing or future agreements, and in accordance with its laws and regulations and with international law.


4.   Armenia shall be responsible for answering any claims linked to its participation in an EU crisis management operation from, or concerning, any of its personnel and shall be responsible for bringing any action, in particular legal or disciplinary, against any of its personnel in accordance with its laws and regulations.


5.   The Parties agree to waive any and all claims, other than contractual claims, against each other for damage to, loss of, or destruction of assets owned or operated by either Party, or injury or death of personnel of either Party, arising out of the performance of their official duties in connection with activities under this Agreement, except in the case of gross negligence or wilful misconduct.


6.   Armenia undertakes to make a declaration as regards the waiver of claims against any State participating in an EU crisis management operation in which Armenia participates, and to do so when signing this Agreement.


7.   The Union undertakes to ensure that its Member States make a declaration as regards the waiver of claims for any future participation of Armenia in an EU crisis management operation, and to do so when signing this Agreement.



Article 4

Classified information


1.   Armenia shall take appropriate measures to ensure that EU classified information is protected in accordance with the Council security rules for protecting EU classified information, contained in Council Decision 2013/488/EU (1), and in accordance with further guidance issued by competent authorities, including by the EU Operation Commander concerning an EU military crisis management operation, or by the EU Head of Mission concerning an EU civilian crisis management operation.


2.   Where the Parties conclude an agreement on security procedures for the exchange of classified information, that agreement shall apply in the context of an EU crisis management operation.





SECTION II



PROVISIONS ON PARTICIPATION IN EU CIVILIAN CRISIS MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS



Article 5

Personnel seconded to an EU civilian crisis management operation


1.   The Republic of Armenia shall:






(a)


ensure that its personnel seconded to an EU civilian crisis management operation undertake their mission in accordance with:






(i)


the relevant Council Decision and subsequent amendments thereto as referred to in Article 2(1);










(ii)


the Operation Plan;










(iii)


any applicable implementing arrangements;










(iv)


any applicable policy for EU civilian crisis management operations;














(b)


inform the EU Civilian Operation Commander in due time of any change to its contribution to the EU civilian crisis management operation.






2.   Personnel seconded by Armenia to an EU civilian crisis management operation shall undergo a medical examination, be vaccinated (as required) and be certified medically fit for duty by the competent authority of Armenia, and shall produce a copy of that certification.


3.   Personnel seconded by Armenia shall carry out their duties and conduct themselves solely with the interests of the EU civilian crisis management operation in mind, while adhering to the highest standards of behaviour set out in the policies applicable to EU civilian crisis management operations.



Article 6

Chain of command


1.   All personnel participating in an EU civilian crisis management operation shall remain under the full command of their national authorities.


2.   National authorities shall transfer operational control to the EU Civilian Operation Commander.


3.   The EU Civilian Operation Commander shall assume responsibility and exercise command and control of the EU civilian crisis management operation at strategic level.


4.   The EU Head of Mission shall assume responsibility and exercise command and control of the EU civilian crisis management operation at theatre level and assume its day-to-day management.


5.   Armenia shall have the same rights and obligations in terms of day-to-day management of the operation as the Member States of the Union taking part in the operation, in accordance with the legal instruments referred to in Article 2(1).


6.   The EU Head of Mission shall be responsible for disciplinary control over the personnel of the EU civilian crisis management operation. Where required, disciplinary action shall be taken by the national authority concerned.


7.   A National Contingent Point of Contact (‘NPC’) shall be appointed by Armenia to represent its national contingent in the EU civilian crisis management operation. The NPC shall report to the EU Head of Mission on national matters and shall be responsible for the day-to-day discipline of the contingent of Armenia.


8.   The decision to end the EU civilian crisis management operation shall be taken by the Union, following consultation with Armenia if it is still contributing to that operation at that date.



Article 7

Financial aspects


1.   Without prejudice to Article 8, Armenia shall assume all the costs associated with its participation in an EU civilian crisis management operation apart from the running costs, as set out in the operational budget of the operation.


2.   In the event of death, injury, loss or damage to natural or legal persons from the State(s) in which the EU civilian crisis management operation is conducted, issues of possible liability and compensation by Armenia shall be governed by the conditions set out in the applicable status of mission agreement referred to in Article 3(1) or any alternative applicable provisions.



Article 8

Contribution to the operational budget


1.   Subject to paragraph 4 of this Article and notwithstanding Article 1(5), Armenia shall contribute to the financing of the operational budget of the EU civilian crisis management operation concerned.


2.   The contribution referred to in paragraph 1 shall be calculated on the basis of either of the following formulae, whichever produces the lower amount:






(a)


the share of the reference amount for the operational budget which is in proportion to the ratio of Armenia's gross national income (GNI) to the total GNIs of all States contributing to the operational budget of the operation; or










(b)


the share of the reference amount for the operational budget which is in proportion to the ratio of the number of personnel from Armenia participating in the operation to the total number of personnel of all States participating in the operation.






3.   Notwithstanding paragraphs 1 and 2, Armenia shall not make any contribution towards the financing of per diem allowances paid to personnel of the Member States of the Union.


4.   Notwithstanding paragraph 1, the Union shall, in principle, exempt Armenia from financial contributions to a particular EU civilian crisis management operation where:






(a)


the Union considers that Armenia provides a significant contribution which is essential for that operation; or










(b)


Armenia has a GNI per capita which does not exceed that of any Member State of the Union.






5.   Subject to paragraph 1, any arrangement on the payment of the contributions of Armenia to the operational budget of an EU civilian crisis management operation shall be entered into between the competent authorities of the Parties and shall, inter alia, include provisions on:






(a)


the amount of the financial contribution concerned;










(b)


the arrangements for payment of the financial contribution; and










(c)


the auditing procedure.









SECTION III



PROVISIONS ON PARTICIPATION IN EU MILITARY CRISIS MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS



Article 9

Participation in an EU military crisis management operation


1.   The Republic of Armenia shall:






(a)


ensure that its forces and personnel participating in an EU military crisis management operation undertake their mission in accordance with:






(i)


the relevant Council Decision and subsequent amendments thereto as referred to in Article 2(1);










(ii)


the Operation Plan;










(iii)


any applicable implementing arrangements; and










(iv)


any applicable policy for EU military crisis management operations;




and,










(b)


inform the EU Operation Commander in due time of any change to its participation in the EU military crisis management operation.






2.   Personnel seconded by Armenia shall carry out their duties and conduct themselves solely with the interests of the EU military crisis management operation in mind, while adhering to the highest standards of behaviour set out in the policies applicable to EU military crisis management operations.



Article 10

Chain of command


1.   All forces and personnel participating in an EU military crisis management operation shall remain under the full command of their national authorities.


2.   National authorities shall transfer the operational and tactical command and/or control of their forces and personnel to the EU Operation Commander, who is entitled to delegate his authority.


3.   Armenia shall have the same rights and obligations in terms of the day-to-day management of the EU military crisis management operation as the Member States of the Union taking part in the operation, in accordance with the legal instruments referred to in Article 2(1).


4.   The EU Operation Commander may, following consultations with Armenia, at any time request the withdrawal of the contribution by Armenia.


5.   A Senior Military Representative (‘SMR’) shall be appointed by Armenia to represent its national contingent in the EU military crisis management operation. The SMR shall consult with the EU Force Commander on all matters affecting the operation, and shall be responsible for the day-to-day discipline of the contingent of Armenia.



Article 11

Financial aspects


1.   Without prejudice to Article 12, Armenia shall assume all the costs associated with its participation in the EU military crisis management operation unless the costs are subject to common funding as provided for in the legal instruments referred to in Article 2(1), as well as in Council Decision (CFSP) 2015/528 (2).


2.   In the event of death, injury, loss or damage to natural or legal persons from the State(s) in which the EU military crisis management operation is conducted, issues of possible liability and compensation by Armenia shall be governed by the conditions set out in the applicable status of forces agreement referred to in Article 3(1) or any applicable alternative provisions.



Article 12

Contribution to the common costs


1.   Subject to paragraph 3 of this Article and notwithstanding Article 1(5), Armenia shall contribute to the financing of the common costs of the EU military crisis management operation concerned.


2.   The contribution referred to in paragraph 1 shall be calculated on the basis of either of the following formulae, whichever produces the lower amount:






(a)


the share of the common costs which is in proportion to the ratio of Armenia's GNI to the total GNIs of all States contributing to the common costs of the operation; or










(b)


the share of the common costs which is in proportion to the ratio of the number of personnel from Armenia participating in the operation to the total number of personnel of all States participating in the operation.




Where the formula under point (b) is used, and Armenia contributes personnel to the Operation or Force Headquarters only, the ratio used shall be that of its personnel to the total number of the respective headquarters personnel. In other cases, the ratio shall be that of all personnel contributed by Armenia to the total personnel of the operation.


3.   Notwithstanding paragraph 1, the Union shall, in principle, exempt Armenia from financial contributions to a particular EU military crisis management operation where:






(a)


the Union considers that Armenia provides a significant contribution which is essential for this operation; or










(b)


Armenia has a GNI per capita which does not exceed that of any Member State of the Union.






4.   Subject to paragraph 1, any arrangements for the payment of the contributions of Armenia to the common costs shall be entered into between the competent authorities of the Parties and shall, inter alia, include provisions on:






(a)


the amount of the financial contribution concerned;










(b)


the arrangements for payment of the financial contribution; and










(c)


the auditing procedure.









SECTION IV



FINAL PROVISIONS



Article 13

Arrangements to implement the Agreement

Without prejudice to Articles 8(5) and 12(3), any necessary technical and administrative arrangements in pursuance of the implementation of this Agreement shall be entered into between the competent authorities of the Parties.


Article 14

Competent authorities

For the purposes of this Agreement, the competent authorities of Armenia shall be the Ministry of Internal Affairs unless the Union is otherwise notified.


Article 15

Non-compliance

Should either Party fail to comply with its obligations under this Agreement, the other Party shall have the right to terminate this Agreement by providing one month's written notice.


Article 16

Dispute settlement

Disputes concerning the interpretation or application of this Agreement shall be settled by diplomatic means between the Parties.


Article 17

Entry into force, duration and termination


1.   This Agreement shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the month during which the Parties have notified each other of the completion of the internal legal procedures necessary for the entry into force of this Agreement.


2.   This Agreement shall be reviewed upon the request of either Party.


3.   This Agreement may be amended on the basis of a written agreement between the Parties. The amendments shall enter into force in accordance with the procedure laid down in paragraph 1.


4.   This Agreement may be terminated by either Party by written notice of termination given to the other Party. Such termination shall take effect six months after receipt of notification by the other Party.






IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, duly authorised to this effect, have signed this Agreement.
Done in the English and Armenian languages, each being equally authentic.
Done at Yerevan on the thirtieth day of June in the year two thousand and twenty-five.






For the European Union







For the Republic of Armenia





(1)  Council Decision 2013/488/EU of 23 September 2013 on the security rules for protecting EU classified information (OJ EU L 274, 15.10.2013, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2013/488/oj).

(2)  Council Decision (CFSP) 2015/528 of 27 March 2015 establishing a mechanism to administer the financing of the common costs of European Union operations having military or defence implications (Athena) and repealing Decision 2011/871/CFSP (OJ EU L 84, 28.3.2015, p. 39, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2015/528/oj).





DECLARATION BY THE MEMBER STATES OF THE UNION APPLYING A COUNCIL DECISION ON AN EU CRISIS MANAGEMENT OPERATION IN WHICH THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA PARTICIPATES, REGARDING THE WAIVER OF CLAIMS



            ‘The Member States of the Union applying a Council Decision on an EU crisis management operation in which Armenia participates will endeavour, in so far as their internal legal systems so permit, to waive as far as possible any claims against Armenia for injury to, or death of, their personnel or damage to, or loss of, any assets owned by them and used by the EU crisis management operation if such injury, death, damage or loss:






—


was caused by personnel contributed by Armenia to an EU crisis management operation, in the execution of their duties in connection with that operation, except in the case of gross negligence or wilful misconduct; or










—


arose from the use of any assets owned by Armenia, provided that the assets were used in connection with the EU crisis management operation, except in the case of gross negligence or wilful misconduct by personnel contributed by Armenia to that operation, using those assets.’.











DECLARATION BY THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA REGARDING THE WAIVER OF CLAIMS AGAINST ANY STATE PARTICIPATING IN EU CRISIS MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS



            ‘Armenia, having agreed to participate in an EU crisis management operation, will endeavour, in so far as its internal legal system so permits, to waive as far as possible any claims against any State participating in the EU crisis management operation for injury to, or death of, its personnel or damage to, or loss of, any assets owned by it and used by the EU crisis management operation if such injury, death, damage or loss:






—


was caused by personnel contributed by any State participating in the EU crisis management operation, in the execution of their duties in connection with that operation, except in the case of gross negligence or wilful misconduct; or










—


arose from the use of any assets owned by States participating in the EU crisis management operation, provided that the assets were used in connection with that operation, except in the case of gross negligence or wilful misconduct by EU crisis management operation personnel using those assets.’.








ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/agree_internation/2025/1553/oj
ISSN 1977-0677 (electronic edition)