EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas has highlighted that holding the European Political Community (EPC) Summit in Armenia shows how important the Caucasus region is.

“It is great to be here in Yerevan. We have the European Political Community meeting and Europe is not about geography, it is about values and principles. That is why we are super glad to welcome Canada here today to discuss the issues. And of course, also the Summit taking place here in Yerevan is showing how important Caucasus is, especially now when there is a war in Iran as well. We are talking about connectivity, but also resilience to the threats that we are facing,” the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the European Commission told reporters upon arrival at the EPC Summit in Yerevan.

Speaking of connectivity, Kallas emphasized the importance of the Middle Corridor.

“The Middle Corridor is very important. What we see happening in the Middle East, everybody is looking at also how to diversify the trade routes and diminish the risks of one trade route being closed. And that is why connectivity and these routes are extremely important. Of course, we need to see what we can do in this respect, and who are our partners as well,” she said.

Asked about the United States’ withdrawal of troops from Germany, Kallas said: “There has been a talk about withdrawal [of] US troops for a long time from Europe. But of course, the timing of this announcement comes as a surprise. I think it shows that we have to really strengthen the European pillar in NATO, and we have to really do more. The American troops are not in Europe only for protecting the European interests, but also American interest.”

On Georgia, the EU High Representative noted that Tbilisi is not taking concrete steps, despite its stated aspiration to join the EU.