Yerevan, 24 May 2023 – New projects to be carried out in Armenia under the third phase of the EU/Council of Europe “Partnership for Good Governance (PGG)” programme in 2023-2027. The first Local Steering Committee meeting for these projects took place on Tuesday 23 May 2023, where the Delegation of the European Union to Armenia and the Council of Europe, together with 40 representatives of national partner institutions, discussed joint actions for the new phase of the PGG for Armenia.

"Against the challenging background and the ongoing discussion on the future of the Eastern Partnership platform, the successful synergy of the EU and the Council of Europe in the case of the Partnership for Good Governance programme comes to prove the effectiveness of the format. The tailor-made programme of the Partnership of Good Governance complementing the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia are relevant for Armenia’s reform agenda and the priorities of the Armenian Government," said Varduhi Melikyan, Head of the Council of Europe Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia.

“The EU will continue supporting reforms in Armenia. We prioritise strengthening the rule of law through independence of the judiciary, enhancing good governance through public administration reform and anti-corruption measures, as well as allowing for an inclusive and human rights-based development. In this context, the EU-Council of Europe Partnership for Good Governance programme is indispensable in contributing to the EU efforts to improve Armenia's human rights record and continue reforms in the rule of law/governance system,” said Frank Hess, Head of the Development Cooperation Section of the European Union to Armenia.

“Under PGG III, the Council of Europe will continue providing support in the field of the judiciary, fight against corruption, combating discrimination and violence against women based on its standards in order to increase the citizen’s trust in the national institutions and improve their daily lives,” noted Delphine Freymann, Head of the Programming and Resource Mobilisation Department, Directorate of Programme Co-ordination, Council of Europe.

Three country-specific projects will be implemented in Armenia, with a total budget of 2.36 million euros, co-funded by the EU and the Council of Europe. They build on the results of the previous phases of the programme and aim at assisting Armenian authorities with carrying out judicial reforms in the country, enhancing national capacities to effectively prevent and fight economic crime and promoting equality non-discrimination. 

In addition, Armenia is taking part in three projects implemented at regional level aimed at fighting economic crime, promoting equality and non-discrimination and facilitating access of women to justice. Their purpose is to encourage networking, provide a platform for sharing lessons learning and best practices, and, where relevant, complement country-specific projects. 

Background:

The “Partnership for Good Governance” (PGG) is a joint initiative of the European Union and the Council of Europe for strengthening good governance in the Eastern Partnership region.

PGG provides tailor-made support to Eastern Partnership countries to bring their legislation and practice closer to European standards in the fields of human rights, rule of law and democracy. It supports, in particular, Eastern Partnership countries’ domestic reforms to strengthen justice, counter economic crime, promote equality and non-discrimination, advance women’s access to justice and combat violence against women.