The European Union is one of Armenia’s most reliable partners, and Armenia-EU relations are closer today than ever before.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made the remarks during a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the Government headquarters.

Pashinyan said he was pleased to welcome the President of the European Commission to Armenia for the second time this year.

“Armenia-EU cooperation is based on the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement and the Armenia-EU Partnership Agenda, which are founded on the shared values of democracy, the rule of law, and the protection of human rights,” he said.

Pashinyan noted that during their bilateral meeting, the sides discussed the diversification of Armenia’s economy and various mechanisms through which the European Union could support those efforts.

The prime minister thanked the European Union for providing €52 million in budget support to Armenia, as well as for proposing autonomous trade measures for Armenian products in EU member states.

“Once this decision enters into force, Armenia will become the first country that neither has EU candidate status nor a free trade agreement with the European Union to benefit from this instrument,” Pashinyan said.

He added that the Armenian side hopes to complete the decision-making process as quickly as possible through active cooperation with the European Union and its member states, taking into account that the harvest season has already begun in Armenia.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Armenia on the morning of July 2 on a working visit. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan welcomed the President of the European Commission at the Government headquarters.