On July 13, 2011, the Commission adopted the first part of the Annual Action Programme 2011 for Armenia, which will help to strengthen the technical and administrative capacity of key Armenian institutions responsible for the implementation of future Armenia-EU cooperation on trade, visa liberalisation, socio-economic reforms and improved quality of governance.

"The 'Arab Spring' led to increased expectations of governance reforms across the European Neighbourhood," Štefan Füle, Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, emphasized.

"The impact that the changes had on the Eastern neighbourhood, Armenia included, cannot be ignored. Today's adoption of the Annual Action Programme shows that the EU remains strongly committed to empowering societies in the neighbourhood partner countries to take ownership of these reforms, which are very much needed for the well-being of their people."