On April 15, a closing event in Yerevan marked the completion of a two-year international project aimed at helping Armenia reform its law enforcement and public security systems. The project was led by the Central Project Management Agency (CPVA) of Lithuania in partnership with Latvia’s State Police and Armenia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The project had a total budget of €2.2 million, funded mostly by the European Union (€2 million). Lithuania also contributed €222,000 through its Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Fund.
The closing event brought together high-level officials from Lithuania, Armenia, Latvia and the European Union, including Lithuania’s Minister of the Interior Vladislav Kontratovič, Police Commissioner General Arūnas Paulauskas, State Border Guard Service Chief General Rustamas Liubajevas, Director of the Migration Department Evelina Gudzinskaitė, EU Ambassador to Armenia Vassilis Maragos and Lithuanian Ambassador to Armenia Andrius Pulokas.
The project’s main goal was to support Armenia in developing a more transparent, effective and trusted internal affairs system. Key focus areas included strengthening the newly established Ministry of Internal Affairs, supporting police reform, improving migration processes and enhancing border security.
Throughout the project, experts from Lithuania, Latvia and other EU member states shared their experience with Armenian institutions. Strategic plans were developed, internal control and anti-corruption tools were introduced and migration procedures were updated. Authorities also received training, created migration profiles and improved the skills of police and border officers. Study visits to Lithuania, Latvia and other EU countries were organised to support these efforts.
Rūta Grigaliūnienė, Head of CPVA’s International Development Cooperation Projects Division, emphasized the value of practical support:
“Our goal was to provide real, hands-on assistance—not just advice. We are proud to have helped Armenia strengthen its internal security system. We believe this cooperation will build lasting ties between our countries.”
Tomas Bikmanas, the project leader and Senior Adviser at Lithuania’s Police Department, noted that the reforms in Armenia were informed by Lithuania’s own successful transformation:
“Lithuania now ranks 6th in Europe for public trust in police. 88% of citizens feel safe. We hope our experience, shared together with Latvian partners, helps Armenia implement changes that are focused on public needs, risk prevention and effective resource use.”
As part of the project, Armenia and Lithuania signed new cooperation agreements between their police and border guard agencies—paving the way for continued strong collaboration.
