The more successful Armenia is, the more successful Europe will be – Latvian F

Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže said Armenia is located in a geographically important region and that the more successful the country becomes, the stronger and more successful Europe as a whole will be.

Speaking in an interview with Armenpress on the sidelines of the Yerevan Dialogue 2026 international conference, Braže discussed Armenia-Latvia bilateral ties, prospects for expanding cooperation, as well as the political situation in the South Caucasus and the initialed peace agreement between Yerevan and Baku.

Braže also welcomed Armenia’s European aspirations, saying Latvia stands ready to support Yerevan in carrying out reforms and advancing European integration efforts.

-Ms. Braže, how would you assess the current level of relations and political dialogue between Armenia and Latvia? What key elements would you highlight?

–   I think our relations exist for as long as our peoples have known each other, which is for centuries. However, one of the more significant steps took place in the 1920s, when the most famous poet of that time, Janis Rainis, who is now also considered a brand name of Latvian literature and poetry, was so fascinated by Armenian culture, civilisation, history and language that he spent time here and wrote about Armenia in the very first section of Latvia’s first national encyclopaedia. This, of course, made Armenia better known to many Latvian families in practical terms.

We also have close people-to-people ties. There is a large Armenian community in Latvia, which is highly respected and successful. We also have excellent political relations. This is my first visit here as foreign minister, but I have been here several times before as a student and later on private visits.

You recently hosted the European Political Community summit, which was a major and very successful event. Congratulations on hosting it so successfully. In recent days, you also held a number of bilateral events, including the state visit of the French president, the first Armenia-EU summit, and the signing of the joint declaration, which is highly significant.

It is a new framework both for the EU and for Armenia, including in terms of strengthening democracy and resilience. All this is underpinned by quite substantial financial and economic commitments from the EU side.

It is difficult to predict when Armenia will join the EU, but what matters is the path, the reforms. It was exactly the same approach we had in Latvia when we were joining the EU. We started the process in 1999 and joined the European Union only in 2004.

So it was a long road and many reforms were needed, but as a result we are now safer, more prosperous and happier. People live longer, they are healthier, the environment is cleaner. We are fully integrated with other European countries. Businesses are thriving. It makes a major difference for countries.

That is why so many countries want to join the EU. And that is why we also support Armenia’s commitment. As for when and how you will do it, that depends on you. But we are there to help, support and provide advice whenever necessary.

-How do you assess Armenia’s efforts to deepen relations with the European Union?

-I think this is very positive, also for the EU. The European Union is based on democratic principles, institutional stability, mutual respect and shared values. Armenia is such a country as well, so this is a natural relationship.

We are also pleased to support Armenia. In terms of security, there is an EU mission in Armenia working in border regions, and since its establishment, with participation also from Latvia, it has helped stabilize those areas.

We have also established a new rapid response mission aimed at preventing cyber, information and other types of attacks.

These are mutually beneficial relations. Armenia is located in a very important region. The South Caucasus is extremely important, and Armenia borders Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia. It is a place of great geopolitical importance. The more successful Armenia is, the more successful Europe will be.

-What impact could the upcoming official visit of Latvia’s president to Armenia have on bilateral relations?

-It is always a direct opportunity for leaders to exchange views and look at deliverables. A joint declaration will be adopted covering specific areas.

There is also interest from businesses in developing relations. Our airline, Air Baltic, will resume direct flights, which will give new meaning to tourism as well as people-to-people and business ties. This is a peak moment in relations between countries.

It is also important to hear and understand Armenian views and the regional situation, and to find ways for cooperation and joint work.

-How does Latvia assess the Armenia–Azerbaijan peace process and its significance for the region?

–We assessed it then and continue to assess it now as a very positive step, which makes Armenia safer and more economically stable. It also stabilises the region as a whole.

The joint declaration signed by Armenia’s prime minister and Azerbaijan’s president, and the next steps towards institutionalizing peace that are still to be taken, are steps in the right direction. Once peace is institutionalized, it will be possible to focus on other areas.

Security and defense issues, of course, remain key challenges for all of us.

-How do you see the European Union’s role in stabilising the South Caucasus?

-The EU has excellent relations with both Armenia and Azerbaijan. The first major EU–Armenia summit is a significant achievement.

We also hope that Georgia will return to a reform-oriented agenda. We know that the Georgian people want a European future, but the government has chosen a different path.

These partnerships are very important for the EU. The more prosperous and stable the region is, the more stable Europe will be, and the more mutually beneficial the relationships will become.

There is also significant financial commitment from the EU to Armenia, linked to reforms, including €270 million under the “Resilience and Growth” programme and several other packages that provide practical support.

In this regard, actions speak for themselves.

-Is there anything you would like to add?

–We would like to see more Armenian tourists in Latvia. We would be happy to welcome our Armenian friends to enjoy our beaches, cuisine and warm hospitality.