Category: News

Prime Minister of Croatia Andrej Plenković has emphasized the political and economic significance of Armenia hosting the European Political Community Summit, as well as the first-ever Armenia-EU summit.

“I think it’s a very strong message to Armenia,” he told reporters ahead of the EPC Summit in Yerevan. “The fact that the European Political Community summit is held first time in Yerevan is an important signal. Also the EU-Armenia summit is an important signal for Armenia. I think that the topics that are on the agenda clearly reflect the current global situation, current major European issues, whether it’s competitiveness, whether it’s connectivity, whether it’s energy, whether it’s technological advancement, whether it’s migration issues. And I believe it’s a very positive signal for our host country,” the Croatian PM said.

Referring to regional connectivity, the Croatian Prime Minister said that transport and energy corridors play an important role not only in Europe but also in ensuring the development and peace of South Caucasus countries.

“I believe that the entire transportation of energy, of goods, of open transit, of investing into the relevant infrastructure, is critically important for the development and peace in this part of Europe, important also for all the states that are in the Caucasus,” he said.

He added that the eastern and southern parts of Europe should strengthen cooperation with other parts of the world, with connectivity projects seen as an important component of this effort.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has arrived in Yerevan to participate in the 8th European Political Community Summit.

Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan welcomed Sánchez at Zvartnots Airport.

Sánchez had been expected to arrive on Sunday, but his plane made an emergency landing in Ankara, Türkiye due to a technical issue while en route from Madrid to Yerevan, delaying his trip.

EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas highlighted that Armenia “makes its own” decisions when asked about the country’s potential EU membership bid.

“Armenia makes its own decisions. There are elections here in a month. Of course, the European perspective is on the table, and Armenia will decide for itself,” the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the European Commission told reporters ahead of the EPC Summit in Yerevan.

Ten rail wagons loaded with Russian fertilizer will be sent to Armenia via Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani APA news agency reported.

According to APA, to date, more than 25,000 tons of grain, over 1,600 tons of fertilizer, and 68 tons of buckwheat have been transported from Russia to Armenia via Azerbaijan.

In addition to transit shipments, petroleum products are also being exported from Azerbaijan to Armenia.

The cargo passes through Georgian territory, as the rail connection between Armenia and Azerbaijan has not yet been restored.

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen has said that Armenia’s connectivity plays an important role for Europe’s supply chains.

Speaking at a press briefing ahead of the European Political Community Summit in Yerevan, Ursula von der Leyen pointed out the key topics that will be discussed at the summit: Europe’s independence, namely energy independence, defense and security, as well as reliable supply chains.

The EU leader noted that Europe is heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels. To reduce this dependency, she emphasized the importance of renewable energy and nuclear energy.

“We need to expand energy production capacities in Europe. These include renewable energy sources and nuclear energy, which allow us to produce energy domestically. They are cheaper and more reliable,” she said.

The President of the European Commission also highlighted defense and security issues.

“We need to strengthen our military capabilities so that we can defend ourselves,” she said, adding that funding is available and that it is now necessary to accelerate the production of military capabilities.

As a third topic of discussion, von der Leyen mentioned reliable supply chains, aimed at strengthening ties with countries that have free trade agreements. She highlighted Latin America, India, and Australia.

It is in this context that she mentioned Armenia’s importance for Europe’s supply chains.

She said that Armenia plays an “important” role, particularly in terms of connectivity between the South Caucasus and Central Asia.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, in his opening remarks at the 8th European Political Community Summit in Yerevan, spoke about relations between Yerevan and Baku, the unblocking of regional connections, as well as prospects for international peace.

He said that the Yerevan summit could become historic for international peace and stability.

He highlighted the U.S.-brokered Armenian-Azerbaijani peace deal initialed in 2025 in Washington, D.C., and noted that the parties are currently moving ahead with the implementation of the TRIPP project.

“And now we are on the way to implement a very important project, Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity, which will contribute to peace by unblocking regional routes and creating new international routes from east to west, from south to north, tremendously contributing to international supply chain stability.

Dear friends, now we have peace with Azerbaijan. It is already two years that we have had no casualties as a result of shootings with Azerbaijan, and these are unprecedented years since our independence. Now we are working closely with Azerbaijan to strengthen and institutionalize the peace of our two countries. And this is the first time when the President of Azerbaijan is participating in an event taking place in Armenia, although online. But hopefully I will have the opportunity to visit Azerbaijan in 2028 for the EPC 10th Summit. Armenia and Azerbaijan, by the way, reciprocally supported each other’s candidacy to host EPC summits,” PM Pashinyan said.

He highlighted the importance of the EPC Summit globally, given the existing challenges, from Ukraine to the Middle East.

“Of course, this summit is important for international context as well, especially now that the world faces growing multiple challenges, from Ukraine to the Middle East. I dare to hope that as a result of our discussions and decisions, this summit could become historic for international peace and stability as well. And I wish us success and persistence to achieve this goal, not necessarily in Yerevan, but hopefully in the near future,” Pashinyan said, declaring the 8th Summit of the European Political Community open and wishing everyone productive, substantive, and forward-looking discussions.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, in his remarks at the 8th European Political Community Summit in Yerevan, addressed cooperation with Armenia, shared values, as well as the regional peace process.

He welcomed the progress in the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process.

“I join others in saluting the progress that’s been made on peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and I welcome the presence of President Aliyev,” he said, referring to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who delivered an address via video link.

“I do think that it is fitting that Canada is the first non-European country to join this forum, as we are the most European of non-European countries. We share a triple alignment of history, of values, and trust,” Carney said, highlighting that these ties are also reflected through the Armenian community in Canada.

The Canadian Prime Minister also underscored cooperation with Armenia as part of international missions, mentioning Canada’s role as the only non-European participant in the European mission in Armenia (EUMA).

Carney said the world is undergoing a rupture across several dimensions: in technology, in energy, in commerce, and geopolitics.

“Now, we have to accept the world as it is, not as we wish it to be,” he said.

“And gatherings such as these point to a better way forward.”

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.

French President Emmanuel Macron has hailed Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s policies as “very impressive.”

Speaking at a panel discussion at the European Political Community Summit in Yerevan alongside UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Macron indicated that global perceptions of Armenia have changed significantly during Pashinyan’s tenure.

“By the way, I believe that Nikol Pashinyan’s work in Armenia over recent years has been very impressive. Let’s be honest: eight years ago, no one would have come here. And the fact that so many visits are taking place in your country today is a good signal,” he said.

According to Macron, a number of countries viewed Armenia differently in the past.

“Eight years ago, many countries around this table saw this country as a real satellite of Russia. Nikol Pashinyan organized the Velvet Revolution and decided to protect his country from Russia. And because of that, he has been, and continues to be, subjected to daily attacks,” the French president said.

He also emphasized the importance of Armenia’s European choice. “The fact that he made a decision about the world and about Europe is a very strong signal,” Macron said.

The French president added that Ukraine’s war of resistance, Armenia’s strategy, and the steps being taken in Moldova reflect a common direction among European countries.

“Over the past few years, we Europeans have decided to sound a collective alarm and not to depend on any major power. And this is also one of the key preconditions for strategic autonomy,” he stressed.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his remarks at the European Political Community Summit in Yerevan, wished Armenia and Azerbaijan “sustainable, comprehensive, long-lasting peace.”

Zelenskyy emphasized Armenia’s participation in this large-scale format together with the EU. He described it as significant that, for the first time in 24 years, the President of Ukraine is visiting Armenia.

“Dear friends, the challenges are clear, absolutely. First, we all see it: the war in Iran remains unresolved, and it could cause instability for a long time, and it may raise the cost of living in all our countries these years. And this could lead to major political shifts. So first of all, our energy and security cooperation needs to be real cooperation, and we need to help each other prepare for winter and deal with energy challenges, and we should also push for a long-term solution for the Strait of Hormuz and for the people of Iran,” he said.

The President of Ukraine also noted that “Russia’s war against Ukraine and Europe” is continuing as strongly as before. According to him, this summer will be the period when the Russian president decides what the next step will be — whether to expand the war or turn to diplomacy.

He expressed gratitude to all the leaders for sanctions against Russian oil, the military industry, and Russian banks.

“We must continue this pressure; we must move Russia to diplomacy. Please oppose any ideas to ease sanctions; this is important. And thank you also to those who are fighting against Russia’s shadow oil fleet,” Zelenskyy said.

“As long as this war continues, strong support for Ukraine must continue. Every support package matters, especially air defense.”

“And one more thing: we need to focus on what we will do if Russia does not end this war. We need continued pressure, and we need peace. And of course, it’s number one: we need to find a workable diplomatic format, and Europe must be at the table in any talks. And we are in contact with the United States, and we understand their views and positions, but it would be good to develop one common European voice for talks with Russians,” he added.