On CEPA's 8th Anniversary, MIA Calls Agreement a "Benchmark"

On November 25, Minister of Internal Affairs Arpine Sargsyan participated in an event dedicated to the eighth anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the Republic of Armenia and the European Union. The event was attended by RA Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan, Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Vassilis Maragos, ambassadors of EU member states, and representatives of various state agencies and civil society.

RA Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan and Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Vassilis Maragos, delivered welcoming speeches, emphasizing the role of the Agreement (CEPA) in the reform agenda being implemented in Armenia.

Minister of Internal Affairs Arpine Sargsyan participated in a panel discussion, presenting the steps taken within the mandate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in particular, the institutional reforms of the ministry and the reforms in the fields of the Police, the Rescue Service, and the Migration and Citizenship Service, which are as close as possible to European standards. Arpine Sargsyan emphasized that the Agreement has been a landmark document on the path of reforms.

The Minister highlighted the progress made in the visa liberalization process and the steps being taken within the framework of the Action Plan to ensure public security and fundamental rights, stressing the importance of deepening cooperation between the Republic of Armenia and the European Union in this context.

According to Arpine Sargsyan, despite the fact that the sectoral reforms of the Ministry of Internal Affairs are not directly included in the CEPA roadmap, their results are ideologically closely intertwined with CEPA.

"The implementation of a number of measures within the framework of CEPA is also directly related to the strengthening of Armenia's sovereignty, and the current level of sovereignty of the RA allows us to develop our capabilities and implement sectoral reforms at a greater pace," the Minister of Internal Affairs noted.

Arpine Sargsyan reaffirmed the readiness to continue effective cooperation in various directions.

During the event, reference was also made to the reforms being implemented in a number of areas within the framework of the Agreement.