EU and Armenia hold Human Rights Dialogue in Yerevan

On 1 July, the European Union Delegation and Armenian representatives held their 15th Human Rights Dialogue in Yerevan. Both sides welcomed the steps taken since the last dialogue in February 2025 to advance the EU-Armenia partnership, based on shared principles, including democracy, human rights, fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law.

The EU and Armenia took stock of the progress made since 2025 and exchanged views on recent human rights policy developments in Armenia and the EU and their respective human rights priorities. Parties agreed to continue to cooperate on human rights-related issues in the context of the implementation of the Strategic Agenda for the EU-Armenia Partnership and the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan as well.

With regard to the parliamentary elections on 7 June, the EU and Armenia exchanged on the preliminary findings of the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission, including the areas of improvement identified, and agreed to continue consultations on the implementation of the recommendations once the final report is published.

The two sides stressed the importance of advancing equality and combating discrimination. The EU noted the adoption in 2025 of the Gender Equality Strategy and Action Plan for 2025-2028, while Armenia informed the EU side on the steps towards the adoption of the comprehensive anti-discrimination law. Both sides underlined the importance of continuing efforts to counter domestic and gender-based violence, hate speech and hate crimes, including against LGBTI persons. Both sides stressed the importance of protecting persons in vulnerable situations, including displaced Karabakh Armenians. 

In the context of child rights, the EU welcomed the adoption in 2025 of a legislative package on child protection, marking a significant formal advance in the legal framework. 

The two sides exchanged views on labour protection, trafficking and informal and illegal employment. The EU lauded the adoption of the law on universal health insurance and encouraged further measures to ensure accessibility and provision of community-based services of persons with disabilities.

The EU and Armenia discussed the importance of upholding fundamental freedoms, including the freedoms of assembly, association and expression, maintaining an open civic space and a free and independent media environment, and strengthening the role of civil society. The EU asked about Armenia’s efforts to ensure an independent media environment. The EU further encouraged Armenia to improve detention conditions.

The EU Delegation was led by Deren Derya, Head of Division in the European External Action Service and the Armenian delegation was led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Vahan Kostanyan. Representatives of the relevant Armenian institutions, the European External Action Service and the European Commission services participated in the meeting. The next EU-Armenia Human Rights Dialogue will take place in Brussels in 2027.

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