Expert Discussion on "Judicial Reforms and CEPA Implementation in Armenia"

An expert discussion on ongoing reforms in Armenia's justice sector under the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was held on February 24, 2025, within the framework of the "Support to CEPA Implementation, Monitoring and Communication" project.

The purpose of this expert meeting was to facilitate exchange of ideas between the Ministry of Justice, professional civil society organizations working in the field, and representatives of international organizations implementing programs in Armenia's justice and human rights sectors regarding the progress, issues, and trends of the reforms in Armenia under the CEPA.

Opening remarks were delivered by Ms. Anna Karapetyan, RA Deputy Minister of Justice, Mr. Frank Hess, Head of Cooperation Section of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Mr. Eugene Stuart, Team Leader of the "Support to CEPA Implementation, Monitoring and Communication" project, and Mr. Mushegh Yekmalyan, Civil Society Component Coordinator of the "Support to CEPA Implementation, Monitoring and Communication" project.

Representatives of the Ministry of Justice presented the progress of work carried out to date under CEPA and its roadmap, as well as upcoming plans.

Mr. David Gyurjyan and Ms. Mariam Antonyan, experts conducting independent monitoring of CEPA implementation within the framework of the "Support to CEPA Implementation, Monitoring and Communication" project, presented on several sectors and actions envisaged by CEPA and its Roadmap. The monitoring aims to assess the fulfillment of obligations under the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement.

Following the presentations, an extensive and constructive discussion took place among participants, who raised and shared opinions, suggestions, and ideas about future steps.

At the end of the meeting, representatives of the Ministry of Justice, civil society and international organizations emphasized the importance of continuing such discussions and exchanges of thoughts and ideas, with the aim of implementing reforms in Armenia's justice and human rights sectors in an inclusive, results-oriented manner aimed toward achieving real change.