Support to Justice Sector Reforms in Armenia, Phase 2
The Armenian government recognises that strengthening the rule of law is paramount to ensure the country delivers on its development potential. The government and development partners have commonly diagnosed that ensuring an independent and effective justice system is key to strengthening the business and investment climate in the country and securing respect for human rights, thereby unlocking Armenia’s economic and social potential.
Background
Following the conclusion of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the European Union (EU) and the Government of Armenia (GoA), Armenia embarked on an ambitious judicial and anti-corruption reform agenda aligned with national strategic priorities and international (CEPA) commitments. All partners recognised the critical need for support for ambitious justice, anti-corruption and penitentiary reforms. As a result, the EU started supporting the Government of Armenia with the implementation of undertaken reforms with a particular focus on EU acquis approximation.
EU acquis approximation is the process by which non-EU countries align their national laws and regulations with the EU’s legal framework, covering areas like human rights, competition, environmental standards, and justice.
Through the project “Support to the justice reform in Armenia”, the EU aims to ensure that citizens of Armenia enjoy their rights in line with the European standards and benefit from an accountable and professional justice system. The project also supports Armenian authorities to further advance the reform of the judicial system and ensure effective implementation of the new criminal justice legislation.
Phase I of the Sector Reform Performance Contract (SRPC) has been successfully completed, providing EUR 27M in budget support for justice sector reforms. Ecorys led an expert team offering technical assistance, while a strategic policy dialogue between the EU, Armenia’s Ministry of Justice (MoJ), judiciary, and civil society identified priority reforms and areas for further assistance. Joint conclusions and a Roadmap for future actions were agreed, and the EU is now continuing its support through a second SRPC phase with a budget of EUR 11M – where Ecorys is continuing its Technical Assistance.
Key achievements
Ecorys has been implementing the 2nd phase of the complementary Technical Assistance since May 2024. This work was conducted under Lot 9 of the SEA 2023 Framework contract. After the conclusion of the inception phase, which involved numerous rounds of consultation with the project beneficiaries and development partners, the project has already:
- Contributed to the successful organisation of the 2024 Annual International Arbitration Conference (link)
- Contributed to the European Union-Armenia Strategic Justice Police Dialogue (link)
- Organised a 2-day workshop on “Strengthening management and leadership skills and improving internal business processes” for the high-level officials of the Armenian Ministry of Justice (link)

16 October 2024
2 minute read
Key Experts
Giacomo Citterio
Consultant
Sander de Vos
Senior Consultant