President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, addressing the European Political Community Summit in Yerevan online, congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on hosting the major event.

In his remarks, Aliyev recalled that Armenia and Azerbaijan reciprocally supported each other’s candidacy to host EPC summits, with Baku set to host in 2028.

The Azerbaijani leader described this as a clear indicator that peace between the two countries has become a reality.

“We have been living in peace for only nine months, and we are learning to live in peace,” the President of Azerbaijan emphasized, expressing confidence that following the initialing of the Armenia–Azerbaijan peace agreement in Washington last August, peace has already become a reality for both Azerbaijanis and Armenians.

Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan subsequently lifted all transit restrictions imposed since the 1990s, as a result of which 28,000 tons of cargo have already been delivered to Armenia through its territory.

“Azerbaijan went even further: we began supplying our petroleum products—gasoline and diesel fuel—to Armenia for the first time, thus starting trade relations,” Aliyev said, expressing confidence that the two countries are already seeing the practical benefits of peace.

To date, 12,000 tons of petroleum products have already been supplied to Armenia from Azerbaijan, he said.

Aliyev hailed the TRIPP project as an achievement of the peace agenda, noting that the route will connect mainland Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan exclave and become part of the Middle Corridor.

Further in his speech, the Azerbaijani President criticized EU institutions, namely the European Parliament, for mentioning existing problems in Azerbaijan, as well as wording pertaining to Nagorno-Karabakh in adopted resolutions. Aliyev rejected them as “lies and defamation.”

At the same time, he expressed gratitude to the European Commission for its position on the Armenia–Azerbaijan peace process, assuring that Azerbaijan is committed to this agenda.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his Croatian counterpart Andrej Plenković have signed an agreement on strategic dialogue between the two countries.

Plenković is in Armenia for the EPC Summit.

The Armenian Prime Minister described the agreement as a “landmark development” in advancing ties with Croatia.

“With Andrej Plenković, we signed Armenia–Croatia Strategic Dialogue, marking landmark development in advancing our bilateral ties. We stand ready to further elevate Armenia-Croatia cooperation to new level & expand engagement across key areas, including within Armenia-EU partnership,” Pashinyan said on X.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney joined other leaders today in Yerevan during the EPC Summit, including President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, for a meeting convened by French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to discuss ongoing support for Ukraine.

According to a readout issued by Carney’s office, the leaders discussed “the latest developments in Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s aggression, including the battlefield situation and President Zelenskyy’s ongoing efforts to secure a just and lasting peace.”

They agreed that the security, sovereignty, and prosperity of Ukraine is integral for wider transatlantic security.

The leaders committed to working together to provide ongoing multifaceted support for Ukraine, as well as robust security guarantees, economic recovery measures, and defence production.

“Prime Minister Carney reaffirmed Canada’s steadfast support for Ukraine and its willingness to contribute to the success of the peace process. The leaders underscored that Ukraine and its people deserve a prosperous, independent, and sovereign future, free from fear of future Russian aggression.”

Carney then met with the President of the European Council, António Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on the margins of the European Political Community Summit. 

Prime Minister Carney thanked President Costa for the invitation to attend the Summit. He noted that Canada’s participation at the Summit as the first non-European country is a reflection of the strong and growing relationship between Canada and Europe.

The leaders discussed deepening collaboration in priority areas such as secure supply chains, critical minerals, energy, and digital technologies. Prime Minister Carney emphasised Canada’s competitive advantages in these sectors.

European nations have “gotten the message” from U.S. President Donald Trump and are now ensuring that ‌agreements on the use of military bases are being implemented, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Monday.

Trump has criticized certain NATO allies for failing to provide sufficient support to the United States in its war with Iran. Adding to tensions with European partners, the U.S. also announced on Friday that it would pull 5,000 troops out of Germany.

“Yes, there has been some disappointment from the U.S. side, but Europeans have listened,” Secretary General Rutte told reporters ahead of the 8th European Political Community summit in Armenia.

“They are now making sure that all the bilateral basing agreements are being implemented,” he said.

NATO member Spain has said ‌that ⁠military bases on its territory cannot be used for the war with Iran. But Rutte said other NATO countries such as Montenegro, Croatia, Romania, Portugal, Greece, Italy, Britain, France and Germany were implementing requests ⁠for the use of bases and other logistical support.

Rutte also said “more and more” European nations were pre-positioning assets such as minehunters and minesweepers ⁠close to the Gulf to be ready for a “next phase”.

Multiple European nations have said they are willing to take part ⁠in a mission to help ensure freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz once the war is over, according to Reuters.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola on Monday rejected Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s accusations of sabotaging the peace deal with Armenia and adopting “anti-Azerbaijani” resolutions.

Aliyev, addressing the European Political Community Summit in Yerevan via video link, first thanked the European Commission for its stance on the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process, but added that the European Parliament has instead been sabotaging the process. He said that between May 2021 and April 30, 2026, the European Parliament adopted 14 resolutions that contain what he described as highly offensive and false statements about Azerbaijan.

Aliyev was referring to a recent resolution adopted by the European Parliament expressing support for Armenia’s democratic resilience. The resolution also addressed the rights of Armenians displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh, in particular the need to preserve Armenian cultural heritage in the region, as well as the safe return of Armenians to their homes.

Aliyev stated that “the European Parliament has targeted Azerbaijan with this resolution by spreading defamation and falsehoods.”

Metsola, who was in attendance at the summit, took the floor to respond:

“The European Parliament is a democratic body directly elected by representatives, and its resolutions are adopted by majority vote. The results may create discomfort for many, but we will never change the path we are following, and we will defend the positions we adopt,” Metsola said.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer exchanged a joint declaration on the strategic partnership between the Republic of Armenia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

“With today’s Joint Declaration with Keir Starmer on a Strategic Partnership between Armenia & the United Kingdom, we open a new & promising chapter in Armenia-UK relations built on shared values & strengthened cooperation,” Pashinyan said in a statement on X.

The British prime minister is on a visit to Armenia for the EPC Summit.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on the margins of the European Political Community Summit in Yerevan on Monday.

According to a readout from Pashinyan’s office, the sides discussed regional security, the course of Armenia-NATO cooperation, and prospects for further development.

Prime Minister Pashinyan emphasized the importance of the continued deepening of the partnership, highlighting steps taken in the areas of democratic reforms and the development of capabilities in the defense sector.

PM Pashinyan and Secretary General Rutte also discussed efforts aimed at international and regional stability, as well as other issues of mutual interest.

Both sides reaffirmed their readiness to continue constructive dialogue and cooperation based on shared values and mutual trust.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held talks on Monday with his British counterpart Keir Starmer on the margins of the 8th European Political Community (EPC) Summit in Yerevan.

Prime Minister Pashinyan emphasized the importance of Prime Minister Starmer’s visit to Armenia, describing it as historic, as this is the first visit by a UK Prime Minister to the Republic of Armenia, according to a readout from Pashinyan’s office.

Pashinyan expressed confidence that, as a result of this visit and the meeting, bilateral ties will be strengthened and cooperation in various areas will develop and expand.

The UK Prime Minister thanked Pashinyan for the warm hospitality and for the high-level organization of the EPC Summit. He stressed the importance of expanding multifaceted cooperation with Armenia.

The prime ministers exchanged views on both the bilateral agenda and issues of regional significance.

As a result of the meeting, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Prime Minister Keir Starmer exchanged a Joint Declaration on the Strategic Partnership between Armenia and the UK.

Armenia’s Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan held talks with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on May 4 on the sidelines of the European Political Community summit.

According to a statement released by Armenia’s Foreign Ministry, the discussions focused on issues of bilateral cooperation.

Ukraine’s foreign minister is in Yerevan as part of a delegation led by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to attend the European Political Community summit being held in the Armenian capital.

Originally published by Moldpres

Moldova will host the Ministerial Session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on May 14-15, an event at which more than 50 delegations from member states are expected, including foreign affairs ministers.

Foreign Affairs Minister Mihai Popsoi noted that the meeting marked the end of Moldova’s Presidency at the Council of Europe. This will be the second mandate exercised by the country since accession, with the first one held 23 years ago.

“At the meeting, we will focus on the priorities we assumed when taking over the mandate: continued support for Ukraine, combating disinformation and foreign interference, strengthening security and reinforcing democratic resilience in member countries,” the minister said.

The Council of Europe is one of the main European platforms dedicated to defending democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights.

“It has been an honour and a great responsibility for our country to lead this organization for six months. At the end of the Ministerial Session, we will hand over the rotating Presidency to the Principality of Monaco,” the minister concluded.

The Moldovan diplomacy head reiterated that the country stayed committed to promoting the values and principles that underpin the Council of Europe.

Moldova took over the Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on November 14, 2025. The mandate will be exercised until May 15, 2026.