CELEX: 52017JC0024
Language: en
Date: 2017-07-10
Title: Joint Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the Union position within the Cooperation Council established by the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Armenia, of the other part

EUROPEAN COMMISSION
            Brussels, 10.7.2017
            JOIN(2017) 24 final
            2017/0157(NLE)
            Joint Proposal for a
            COUNCIL DECISION
            on the Union position within the Cooperation Council established by the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Armenia, of the other part
            
               
         
         
            
               EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
            
            
               1.CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL
            
            
               •Reasons for and objectives of the proposal
            
            
               Relations between the EU and Armenia are currently based on the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Armenia, of the other part (‘the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement’) which entered into force on 1 July 1999 and on the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) framework reviewed in 2015
                  1
                (ENP Review). The key principles guiding bilateral relations in this context are more differentiation between partner countries and greater ownership by these countries.
            
            
               The Parties have agreed on Partnership Priorities, as foreseen in the ENP Review. These priorities are grouped according to the priorities agreed in the Eastern Partnership Summit in Riga, in May 2015. This document provides focus for joint work in 2017-2020. It will not affect cooperation in other areas, but will guide the future financial cooperation.
            
            
               •Consistency with existing policy provisions in the policy area
            
            
               The Partnership Priorities are consistent with EU policy priorities in this area. These priorities are namely political and economic stabilisation of the neighbourhood and stabilisation of its security, the pursuit of EU interests and the promotion of universal values.
            
            
               •Consistency with other Union policies
            
            
               The proposed Partnership Priorities, while reflecting the EU's long-standing engagement towards its Eastern partner, is fully aligned with the Global Strategy for the European Union's Foreign and Security Policy. The Strategy calls for investing in the resilience of states and societies to the east while building closer relations. This integrated approach towards resilience addresses the most acute cases of governmental, economic, societal and climate/energy fragility.
            
            
               The document also takes into account:
            
            
               ·the need for stronger democracy and the rule of law;
            
            
               ·the promotion of human rights, fundamental freedoms and good governance;
            
            
               ·the increased focus on international cooperation to counter terrorism, conflict prevention, regional stability; and
            
            
               ·the potential to generate sustainable growth and employment by enhanced trade in a fully functioning market economy which is a member of the Eurasian Economic Union but committed to bring many of its sectoral policies gradually in line with EU policies.
            
            
               2.LEGAL ASPECTS
            
            
               This proposal is based on Article 218(9) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) for a Council Decision on the Union position within the Cooperation Council set up by the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with regard to the adoption of Partnership Priorities. The substantive legal basis for the adoption of the Partnership Priorities are those underpinning the conclusion of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement.
            
            
               The adoption of the Partnership Priorities is envisaged by a Decision of the EU-Armenia Cooperation Council after the adoption by the Council of the European Union, on the basis of Article 218(9) TFEU, of an EU position within the Cooperation Council. The adopted Partnership Priorities will be the basis for programming under the European Neighbourhood Instrument.
            
            
               The Council Conclusions on the Review of the European Neighbourhood Policy of 14 December 2015 welcomed the proposals set out in the Joint Communication on the Review of the European Neighbourhood Policy
                  2
               . These proposals aim ‘to further develop relations with partners wishing to pursue deeper relations with the EU based on shared values.’ The Joint Communication stresses the role of Partnership Priorities as ‘the basis for setting priorities for assistance’ as set out in the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI) regulation.
            
            
               3.RESULTS OF EX-POST EVALUATIONS, STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATIONS AND IMPACT ASSESSMENTS
            
         
         
            
               •Ex-post evaluations/fitness checks of existing legislation
            
            
               Not applicable.
            
            
               •Stakeholder consultations
            
            
               These texts were drafted after close consultation with relevant Commission services and with Member States’ representatives in the Council of the European Union's Working Group on Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The texts also take account of discussions with the EU’s counterparts in Armenia.
            
            
               Consultation with civil society stakeholders took place in Yerevan in March 2017. These consultations were held following the orientations framed in the reviewed European Neighbourhood Policy.
            
            
               The main inputs received were all taken into account in the attached text and concerned:
            
            
               ·reinforced independence of the judiciary and right to fair trial;
            
            
               ·favourable environment for the civil society;
            
            
               ·protection of fundamental freedoms;
            
            
               ·gender equality; 
            
            
               ·reinforced education system at all levels; and 
            
            
               ·the fight against corruption.
            
            
               •Collection and use of expertise
            
            
               The relevant thematic expertise was available, either in the European Commission headquarters in Brussels or in the EU Delegation to Armenia in Yerevan.
            
            
               •Impact assessment
            
            
               Not applicable.
            
            
               •Regulatory fitness and simplification
            
            
               Not applicable.
            
            
               •Fundamental rights
            
            
               No consequence for fundamental rights in the EU Member States.
            
         
         
            
               For fundamental rights in Armenia, the consequences are expected to be positive. This assessment is based on the fact that in the Partnership Priorities, Armenia has committed to the following:
            
            
               ·to promote fundamental freedoms;
            
            
               ·to apply its electoral reform based on recommendations by the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE); 
            
            
               ·to promote the independence of the judiciary;
            
            
               ·to promote good governance through public administration reform; and
            
            
               ·to reinforce accountability of security operators.
            
            
               On human rights, the EU and Armenia engage in regular dialogue to address a number of areas including: 
            
            
               ·freedom of expression; 
            
            
               ·freedom of the media; 
            
            
               ·freedom of association; 
            
            
               ·torture, ill-treatment and detention conditions; 
            
            
               ·discrimination and gender-based violence; 
            
            
               ·women’s rights and rights of the child; 
            
            
               ·protection of persons belonging to national minorities; and 
            
            
               ·freedom of religion.
            
            
               4.BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS
            
            
               No additional budgetary implication beyond what is provided in previous international EU commitments. Further budgetary implications will be defined in separate proposals, such as the forthcoming 2017-2020 European Neighbourhood Instrument Single Support Framework.
            
            
               5.OTHER ELEMENTS
            
            
               •Implementation plans and monitoring, evaluation and reporting arrangements
            
            
               The implementation of the EU-Armenia Partnership Priorities will be subject to regular monitoring at least once a year. This monitoring will be carried out in the context of the review mechanisms and the meetings related to bilateral cooperation between the EU and Armenia under the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement.
            
         
         
            
               6.REFERENCES
            
            
               (a)Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and Armenia, of the other part, signed on 22 April 1996; OJ L239, 9.9.1999
            
            
               (b)Joint Communication to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions; Review of the European Neighbourhood Policy; JOIN/2015/050 final
            
            
               (c)Council conclusions on the Review of the European Neighbourhood Policy of 14 December 2015
            
            
               (d)Regulation EU 232/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2014 establishing a European Neighbourhood Instrument; OJ L77/27, 15.3.2014
            
            
               (e)Protocol to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Armenia, of the other part, on a Framework Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Armenia on the general principles for the participation of the Republic of Armenia in Union programmes, signed on 17 December 2012; OJ L174, 13.06.2014
            
            
               (f)Agreement between the European Union and Armenia on the readmission of persons residing without authorisation signed on 19 April 2013; OJ L87, 27.03.2013
            
            
               (g)Agreement between the European Union and Armenia on the facilitation of the issuance of visas, signed on 17 December 2012; OJ L289, 31.10.2013
            
            
               (h)Joint Declaration on a Mobility Partnership between the European Union and Armenia, Luxembourg, 28 October 2011
            
            
               2017/0157 (NLE)
            
            
               Joint Proposal for a
            
            
               COUNCIL DECISION
            
            
               on the Union position within the Cooperation Council established by the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Armenia, of the other part
            
            
               THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
            
            
               Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 37 thereof,
            
            
               Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 207, 209, in conjunction with Article 218(9) thereof,
            
            
               Having regard to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part and the Republic of Armenia, of the other part (the ‘Partnership and Cooperation Agreement’), in particular Article 78 thereof,
            
            
               Having regard to the joint proposal from the European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
            
            
               Whereas:
            
            
               (1)The Partnership and Cooperation Agreement was signed on 22 April 1996.
            
         
         
            
               (2)The Parties have agreed to negotiate Partnership Priorities with a view to providing guidance and focus for their joint work on a sector-by-sector basis.
            
            
               (3)The Parties have agreed on Partnership Priorities, which will have to be adopted by the Cooperation Council set up under the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement.
            
            
               (4)The Union position to be taken in the Cooperation Council on the adoption of the EU-Armenia Partnership Priorities has to be adopted by the Council,
            
            
            
               HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
            
            
               Article 1
            
            
               The Union position within the Cooperation Council established by the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part and the Republic of Armenia, of the other part, with regard to the adoption of the EU-Armenia Partnership Priorities shall be based on the draft Recommendation of the Cooperation Council attached to this Decision.
            
            
               Article 2
            
            
               This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.
            
            
               Done at Brussels,
            
            
               
                     For the Council
               
               
                     The President
               
            
         
         
            
                  
                     (1)
                  Council Conclusions on the Review of the European Neighbourhood Policy of 14 December 2015.
               
               
                  
                     (2)
                  JOIN(2015) 50; 18.11.2015.
               
            
      
    ---documentbreak--- 
      
         
               EUROPEAN COMMISSION
            Brussels, 10.7.2017
            JOIN(2017) 24 final
            ANNEX
            to the
            Joint Proposal for aCOUNCIL DECISION
            on the Union position within the Cooperation Council established by the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Armenia, of the other part
            
               
         
         
            
               RECOMMENDATION No XX/2017 OF THE EU- ARMENIA COOPERATION COUNCIL of [DAY MONTH 2017]
            
            
            
               On the EU-Armenia Partnership Priorities
            
            
            
               THE EU-ARMENIA COOPERATION COUNCIL,
            
            
            
               Having regard to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part and the Republic of Armenia, of the other part, and in particular Article 78 thereof
            
            
            
               Whereas:
            
            
               (1)
                     The Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part and Armenia, of the other part (the ‘Partnership and Cooperation Agreement’), was signed on 22 April 1996 and entered into force on 1 July 1999;
            
            
                (2)
                     In accordance with Article 95 of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, the Parties are to take any general or specific measures required to fulfil their obligations under the Agreement and shall see to it that the objectives set out in the Agreement are attained;
            
            
               (3)
                     The review of the European Neighbourhood Policy proposed a new phase of engagement with partners, allowing a greater sense of ownership by both sides;
            
            
               (4)
                     The EU and Armenia wish to consolidate their partnership by agreeing on a set of priorities for the period 2017-2020 with the aim of supporting and strengthening resilience and stability of Armenia;
            
            
                (5) 
                     The Parties to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreementhave therefore agreed on the text of the EU-Armenia Partnership Priorities, which will support the implementation of the EU-Armenia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, focusing cooperation on commonly identified shared interests.
            
            
            
               HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
            
            
            
               Article 1
            
            
         
         
            
               The Cooperation Council adopts the EU-Armenia Partnership Priorities as set out in the Annex.
            
            
            
               Article 2
            
            
            
               This Recommendation shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.
            
            
            
               Done at Brussels, [day month 2017].
            
            
            
               For the Cooperation Council
            
            
            
               The Chair
            
            
            
               ***
            
            
               
            
               ANNEX
            
            
            
            
               
                                          
                       
            
            
            
         
         
            
            
               Partnership Priorities
            
            
            
               between 
            
            
            
               the EUROPEAN UNION 
            
            
            
               AND 
            
            
            
               armenia
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
               
            
               I. Context
            
            
         
         
            
               The Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part and Armenia, of the other part (the ‘Partnership and Cooperation Agreement’), was signed on 22 April 1996 and entered into force on 1 July 1999. The EU and Armenia have, on 6 February, 2017, completed negotiations on a Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the text of which is being finalised for signature. The EU-Armenia Partnership Priorities aim to facilitate the implementation of the cooperation between the partners, including in the context of the new agreement. The Partnership Priorities seek to strengthen the relationship between the EU and Armenia and pursue the promotion of universal values and stability, resilience, security and prosperity built on democracy, human rights, rule of law and sustainable economic growth and openness. They are in line with the priorities set out by the Republic of Armenia and the EU, including those set out in the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) Review
                  1
               . The Partnership Priorities follow the principles of co-ownership and differentiation and stem from the four priorities
                  2
                jointly agreed at the 2015 Eastern Partnership (EaP) Riga Summit, which were confirmed by both sides at the last EU-Eastern Partnership Foreign Affairs Ministerial Meeting in May 2016 as the guiding framework for future work. Finally, the Partnership Priorities are also in accordance with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and the 2015 Paris Agreement and their commitment to issues of economic, environmental and social sustainability and climate change and climate change.
            
            
            
               The EU and Armenia share common interests and values, notably in view of Armenia's engagement in economic and political reforms as well as regional cooperation, including in the framework of the Eastern Partnership. The new comprehensive agreement will renew and shape the legal basis for bilateral relations and the momentum should be seized to reinforce EU-Armenia relations, also through agreeing Partnership Priorities. This new overarching framework and the priority areas of cooperation will build on the mutual interest in enhancing our engagement taking into account EU's and Armenia's other international commitments.
            
            
            
               The Partnership Priorities build on past fruitful cooperation including in the context of the implementation of the ENP Action Plan, which they will replace. These Partnership Priorities should shape the agenda for regular political dialogue meetings and sectoral dialogues as defined in the new Agreement, which will also be the framework for implementation and monitoring of the Priorities.
            
            
            
               The future EU-Armenia financial cooperation and programming, notably the next Single Support Framework for Armenia for 2017-2020, will be based on these Partnership Priorities.
            
            
            
               
            
               II. Priorities
            
            
            
               The Partnership Priorities reflect shared interests and focus on those areas where cooperation is of mutual benefit. Armenia and the EU will continue to pursue the core objectives of supporting regional stability based on common values and strong commitment to democracy and human rights. Civil society is an important actor in the context of the Eastern Partnership and the EU and Armenia will further facilitate its involvement in the implementation of these priorities. Economic cooperation towards sustained growth is an area where mutual interest is strong and where we will explore all possible opportunities to improve the business environment. Faster and more inclusive growth will require reinforcement of public institutions' appropriate skills and human capital and further improved governance and better infrastructure connections. Tackling these issues will create favourable conditions for stronger cooperation in key sectors and for increased mobility, to the benefit of citizens both in the EU and in Armenia. Priorities are interlinked and mutually reinforcing. Each priority theme includes several elements in a multi-disciplinary and cross-cutting approach that is necessary to reach the objective. This includes joint active involvement in multilateral cooperation fora, including within the Eastern Partnership framework.
            
            
            
               1. Strengthening institutions and good governance 
            
            
            
               The EU and Armenia are committed to further cooperation with the objective of the promotion of human rights and the rule of law, and the fundamental freedoms. They will work together towards continuous improvement of Armenian public administration, good governance and judiciary, step up the fight against corruption and strengthen civil society. Gender equality, environmental and social issues will be mainstreamed in all areas.
            
            
            
               The focus will be on the implementation and enforcement of relevant legislation, including the new Constitution. Electoral reform, agreed in September 2016 on the basis of, inter alia, the recommendations of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and its Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, applies as of the parliamentary elections of 2 April 2017. The parties will also strive to further develop a favourable environment for civil society, including social partner's organisations, and its participation in decision making. Civil society has been consulted on the establishment of these Partnership Priorities and will also play an important role by contributing to the monitoring of their implementation.
            
            
            
               The parties will step up their efforts for the reform of public administration, including local authorities and law enforcement. Particular importance will be attached to the rule of law, promoting the independence of the judiciary, access to justice and the right to fair trial. This reform will begin with a strategic framework for public administration reform. The aim of our cooperation is to reinforce the accountability and effectiveness of government by means that include modern, gender-sensitive human resource management and widespread use of e-government, including in the health sector. Policy development and evaluation will be based on clear evidence provided by, amongst others, a high quality statistics service.
            
         
         
            
            
               The fight against corruption will be at the heart of administrative reform and the country's effort to reinforce the rule of law. Cooperation will focus both on reinforcing the anti-corruption bodies and reviewing legislation, in particular the public procurement system, the asset declaration system to ensure its proper implementation, and the management of public functions where economic and other stakes are highest (procurement, customs, permits) with a view to ensuring high ethical standards and avoid conflict of interest. The Parties shall implement assistance in accordance with the principles of sound financial management and cooperate in the protection of the financial interests of the EU and of Armenia in accordance with the relevant provisions of the CEPA.
            
            
            
               Cooperation in the security sector will seek to reinforce the accountability of security operators and address common concerns in the fight against organised crime, drugs and terrorism, including terrorism financing and money laundering, by means which are respectful of provisions on justice, freedom and security laid down in the various agreements governing EU-Armenia relations. The further modernisation of border management will contribute both to the security of the country and region and to economic development by facilitating legitimate exchanges. The parties will also cooperate on recovery of criminal assets through the improvement of Armenia's legal framework and the establishment of a full-fledged asset recovery office.
            
            
            
               2. Economic development and market opportunities
            
            
            
               The common goal of the parties is sustainable and inclusive economic development of Armenia. Sustained growth requires sound economic policies that ensure macroeconomic and financial stability. These should include a continued commitment to sustainable budgetary policies while preserving capital and social expenditure and consolidating buffers against external shocks. Public finance management (which is an important element both for governance and democracy and for economic development) will adhere to the principles of best international practice. Banking supervision will be further strengthened according to international norms and best practices, to increase the robustness and the resilience of the financial sector. The modernisation and reforms in customs and tax administration, including international cooperation and reinforcement of fight against fraud, will boost revenue collection.
            
            
            
               An improved business environment is a fundamental condition for economic development. Further simplified administrative procedures and reduced administrative costs, improved access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in a sound and diversified financial market, and reinforced protection and enforcement of property rights will be the focus areas in this regard. Strong business support organisations and business associations would help economic operators to seize new opportunities and strengthen their voices in economic policy-making. The EU and Armenia will seek to reinforce the ability of Armenian enterprises to participate in international value chains, involving both EU and Armenian economic operators, which will foster technology and knowledge transfer. The role of Business Support Organisations (BSO) in this sense is of pivotal importance and the EU support to match-making between Armenian and European enterprises can leverage the national efforts. The Armenian participation in international value chains can include and be reinforced and accelerated by Foreign Direct investment, which can contribute to building and reinforcing local skills and competencies; to this end it is essential to improve the investment framework by enhancing its transparency, reliability and efficiency. An investment environment supportive to business also includes effective competition in markets for products and services, ensured by a strong, independent competition authority operating to the highest ethical standards, with access to an effective enforcement mechanism for antitrust legislation and effective protection of intellectual property rights. Mainstreaming ease of doing business in all policies will be instrumental to fostering growth. Modern employment and social policies will be needed to ensure that the economic development is inclusive and contribute to improving the well-being of all Armenian citizens. This includes appropriate institutions to ensure effective supervision of working conditions including health and safety at work.
            
            
            
               It is important to implement the overall Armenian Development Strategy as well as sector specific strategies (SME Strategy and the recommendations of the SBA Assessment, Export Promotion Strategy, rural development etc.) to actively participate in the EU programmes for SMEs (COSME) and for research and innovation (Horizon 2020), and to upgrade the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) regulatory and infrastructure environment, making full use of EU support in these areas.
            
            
            
               Fostering the digital economy, including through the approximation of Armenia’s digital environment with the EU’s Digital Single Market, would be important for modernizing Armenia’s economy and society.
            
            
            
               Monitoring the implementation of these strategies should include a public-private dialogue and consultation with relevant civil society organisations, including with social partner's organisations.
            
            
            
               The green economy offers an important growth path for sustainable development. Environmental issues, including climate change, will be mainstreamed in all relevant policies.
            
            
            
               The EU and Armenia have established effective cooperation in agriculture, regional and rural development to promote the development of farmers groups and value adding chains throughout Armenia. While agriculture and subsistence farming present opportunities for food security and informal employment, it is important to further develop the competitiveness of the sector including through capacity building and access to finance. Building on past achievements and in coordination with the reform of the public administration at all levels, the parties will continue to reinforce economic, social and territorial cohesion across the regions.
            
         
         
            
            
               3. Connectivity, energy efficiency, environment and climate action 
            
            
            
               A land-locked country, Armenia needs to overcome to the challenges to its connectivity. Also within the country, some areas suffer from remoteness and limited connections to centres of economic, political and social activity. Cooperation with the EU and other Eastern Partnership countries in the above areas, in particular Georgia, can contribute to alleviation of the consequences of the geographical situation of the country.
            
            
            
               Armenia's growth potential would be enhanced by improved business opportunities, transport, logistics and value-chain links, fostered by improved internal and cross-border connectivity. Road, rail and air routes are main transport modes in Armenia. As Armenia’s main trade partners are the EU, Russia and China, cargo is usually transited on rail ferry services from Georgian ports. The parties will cooperate in developing swift clearance procedures at borders as they are essential for all modes to avoid costly delays.
            
            
            
               The parties will also cooperate in the framework of the extended core Trans-European Transport network (TEN-T), based on clear prioritisation, to improve Armenia's access to the international markets. Road safety cooperation, covering both infrastructure and policy aspects, will be also promoted. Investment in infrastructure should be environmentally friendly and climate-proof.
            
            
            
               To ensure effective connections and market development beyond the immediate neighbourhood, it is important to pursue civil aviation reform, eventually leading to the conclusion of an aviation agreement with the EU.
            
            
            
               Good environmental governance (in particular the use of Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic Impact Assessment, access to environmental information and access to justice in environmental matters) and the integration of the environment and climate action into relevant policy areas
                      will create a solid basis for sustainable development. Commitments in the area of environment as included in the new Agreement will form the basis for relevant reforms. Increased energy efficiency will generate quick, significant, and sustained savings, while advancing the transition to a low emission and climate resilient economy; in the residential sector, such actions can be linked to the work of the Covenant of Mayors. Ensuring high levels of nuclear safety is necessary: International Atomic energy Agency (IAEA) standards and EU standards and practices, as referred to in the CEPA, shall serve as a basis.
            
            
            
               Reliable and affordable energy supplies are a necessary condition for the functioning of a modern society and the containment of their environmental and climate impact is a condition for its sustainability. Improved energy and resource efficiency, including in the residential sector, and the increased use of renewable energy will contribute towards this objective through the implementation of the state of the art legislation in energy efficiency, renewable energy sources and electricity market. These goals could also be pursued through the public procurement for services and infrastructure.
            
            
            
               Energy security can also be enhanced by improving and increasing connections to neighbouring countries. Armenia's continued active participation in the multilateral cooperation within the Eastern Partnership will be essential for identifying projects of common interest that could benefit from EU financial support. Continuation of efforts to ensure high levels of nuclear safety on the basis of the IAEA standards and EU standards and practices, as referred to in the CEPA, improving energy efficiency and fostering renewable energy with a clear prioritisation of investments are key to ensuring energy safety and security in Armenia.
            
            
            
               Lastly, the closure and safe decommissioning of the Medzamor Nuclear Power Plant (MNPP) and the early adoption of a road map/action plan to this effect shall remain a key objective, taking into consideration the need for its replacement with new capacity to ensure Armenia's energy security and conditions for sustainable development.
            
            
            
               4. Mobility and people-to-people contacts
            
         
         
            
            
               The parties will cooperate with the objective of facilitating mobility of their nationals, widening the scope of people-to-people contacts through targeted actions including for youth, students, researchers, artists, cultural operators and business people. The EU recognizes the importance of Armenia's request to start a Visa Liberalisation Dialogue. The EU looks forward to consideration in due course of the opening of such a dialogue.
            
            
            
               Management of migration flows will be based on the Visa Facilitation Agreement / Readmission Agreement. The EU acknowledges Armenia's role in settling refugees from Syria, making it eligible for support from the 
               
                  EU Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian Crisis
               
               .
                  3
               
            
            
            
               Facing the challenges of the global marketplace requires a solid package of skills at all levels, be it in enterprises or in the public administration. Early childhood, primary, secondary and higher education, and vocational education and training, as well as cooperation between the education and training system and businesses all need to be reinforced to give their full contribution to developing these skills. Particular attention will be paid to research and innovation following Armenia's Association to the Horizon 2020 programme.
            
         
         
            
                  
                     (1)
                  18.11.2015 JOIN(2015) 50 final
               
               
                  
                     (2)
                  See the four titles under Part II. Priorities
               
               
                  
                     (3)
                  Commission Decision C(2014) 9615 of 10 December 2014 on the establishment of a European Union Regional Trust Fund in response to the Syrian crisis, ‘the Madad Fund’