Armenia says it has become the only country without EU candidate status or a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area agreement with the European Union to receive such economic privileges.

The arrangements demonstrate what it described as an “unprecedentedly high level” of partnership between Armenia and the European Union, according to Armenpress.

Armenia and the European Union have deepened their political and economic partnership in recent years. Their relations are based on the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which entered into force in 2021 and provides a framework for cooperation on trade, energy, transport, governance and other sectors.

In December 2025, the two sides adopted a new Strategic Agenda for the EU-Armenia Partnership, while the first-ever EU-Armenia summit was held in Yerevan in May 2026. The summit focused on expanding cooperation in connectivity, energy, transport and digital development.

The EU is also Armenia’s largest donor. A €270 million Resilience and Growth Plan for 2024-2027 supports economic development, connectivity and reforms, while a visa liberalisation dialogue launched in 2024 aims to advance Armenia’s long-term goal of visa-free travel to the EU.