Ecorys supporting reform of Armenia’s justice system

The government of Armenia has begun reforming its justice system, which serves as one of the key pillars for eventually applying for EU membership. Ecorys has been providing economic assistance to the transition in several ways.

Armenia recently completed the first phase of an EU-funded Sector Reform Performance Contract (SRPC), which provided a budget of €27 million for reforms in the justice system. Reforming the justice system is considered an essential part of the larger project for Armenian institutions to align with the EU’s legal framework.

The overall legal framework overhaul needed for Armenia to come closer to EU standards touches on areas like human rights, competition, environmental standards, and justice. For example, the EU and Armenia recognize the need for anti-corruption and penitentiary reforms.

With the first phase of the SRPC completed, Ecorys has been helping to implement the second phase since May 2024. The first part of the second phase included consultation with project beneficiaries and development partners.

In addition, Ecorys contributed to organizing the 2024 Annual International Arbitration Conference, held in Yerevan in September. It was the second edition of the annual event, which bring together arbitration and legal professionals, academics, business leaders, and other stakeholders to discuss the latest trends and developments in the legal landscape.

Ecorys also contributed to the European Union-Armenia Strategic Justice Police Dialogue, which took place in July of this year. This conference addressed specific areas of legal reform, like for example, integrity checks for all sitting judges, prosecutors, and investigators.

Rounding off its support to the SRPC in 2024, Ecorys organized a two-day workshop for high-level officials in the Armenian Ministry of Justice. This workshop was aimed at strengthening management and leadership skills, and improving internal business processes, among other things.

Armenia and the EU have long enjoyed close relations, with Armenia (along with neighbour Georgia) generally considered part of Europe – at least culturally. The 2017 Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA), a political and economic cooperation that also enhanced trade relations, was seen as a healthy first step towards closer relations – and eventually – EU accession negotiations.

The EU and Armenia have been getting closer than ever this year, with recent moves towards potentially visa-free travel. There has also been some talk of pushing forward a referendum on EU membership, though some leaders in Armenia see it premature.