The European Union wants to help Armenia diversify its energy supplies, and a team of EU experts will arrive in the country next week to support those efforts.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made the remarks during a joint press conference with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Yerevan on July 2, responding to a question on whether the European Union is prepared to assist Armenia if Russia uses natural gas prices as a tool of political pressure, given the country’s heavy dependence on Russian gas supplies.

“When it comes to energy, you need a comprehensive and multi-layered strategic approach. Just as we are helping Armenia diversify its trade, which will strengthen the country’s resilience, we also want to help Armenia diversify its energy supplies. That is why a team of experts from the European Union will travel to Armenia next week. We have extensive experience in situations like this. We have seen it in Ukraine, we have seen it in Moldova, and we as the European Union have also experienced elements of such situations. So we have considerable expertise in helping countries diversify their energy supplies,” von der Leyen said.

She added that the EU is also contributing to regional energy security through electricity interconnections, stressing that new routes must be built while regional energy networks are strengthened.

“This includes a €25 million investment under the Caucasus Transmission Network project. We are also supporting a significant expansion of Armenia’s renewable energy generation. This is locally produced energy. It is your energy resource, produced here in Armenia, and it gives you independence, energy security, and greater resilience. So we are here to support you in a situation that we know very well,” the President of the European Commission said.

On May 28, the Armenian Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure received, through the Russian Embassy in Armenia, a letter from Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev warning that Russia could suspend or unilaterally terminate the agreement signed in December 2013 if Armenia continues pursuing EU membership.

The agreement concerns cooperation in the supply of natural gas, petroleum products, and rough natural diamonds, and also serves as the framework under which the price of Russian natural gas supplied to Armenia is determined.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said the European Union has long been Armenia’s number one partner in implementing democratic reforms.

Pashinyan made the remarks during a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, responding to a journalist’s question on how he views the further deepening of Armenia-EU relations in light of the continued high-level political dialogue and the recently signed strategic partnership document, and whether this could affect Armenia’s balanced foreign policy.

“The European Union has long been Armenia’s number one partner in democratic reforms-indeed, even before the 2018 revolution. The question is how effectively and sincerely that agenda was implemented.

Following the elections, I believe this is also an important opportunity for us to restart Armenia’s democratic reform agenda. Throughout the previous period, we remained committed to this path, but it was constantly accompanied by major challenges-COVID, war, and the post-war situation. In practice, we have not had the opportunity to focus fully on a comprehensive democratic reform agenda.

The elections, this new phase, the new level and scope of our relations with the European Union have created a historic opportunity for us. We have clearly stated our strategy. Our first priority is to achieve full, sincere, and comprehensive compliance with European Union standards. This is the first strategic objective we must accomplish. Once that is achieved, the issue of becoming a full member of the European Union could become a concrete objective for implementation. That, however, is already a political question.

As I have said before, once we fully and genuinely meet European Union standards, we will have the opportunity to become a full member of the European Union. But this is also a political issue that depends on many different factors. If we succeed in becoming an EU member, it will be a major achievement. If, for some reason-for example, if the European Union decides not to enlarge any further-we will still have gained significantly, because we will be a country that fully meets European Union standards,” the prime minister said.

He added that this effort is not being undertaken for the European Union but for the citizens of the Republic of Armenia and for Armenia itself, stressing that this is the strategic objective pursued by the Armenian authorities.

Pashinyan also referred to the new opportunities emerging with the opening of regional transport routes.

“During the election campaign, I repeatedly said that the Republic of Armenia is transforming from a deadlock of conflict into a Crossroads of Peace. This is a historic development, and we are grateful to the European Union for its consistent and unwavering support for the Republic of Armenia and its people in these efforts. We highly appreciate that support.

Looking back now, it is remarkable how rapidly relations between the Republic of Armenia and the European Union have developed over the past few years. There is no indication that this pace will slow, and I am very pleased about that,” Pashinyan concluded.

Armenian Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan has received Simon Mordue, diplomatic adviser to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

According to a statement issued by the Armenian Security Council Office, the sides discussed the progress of the development of bilateral relations between Armenia and the European Union, focusing on the priorities of the partnership agenda.

In particular, they underscored the importance of deepening cooperation in the energy sector and expanding trade and economic ties.

The sides also exchanged views on regional and international security issues.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has ruled out the possibility of a repeat of the 2013 scenario, when Armenia abruptly abandoned its rapprochement with the European Union amid Russian pressure.

Pashinyan addressed the issue during a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, responding to a journalist’s question on whether he could rule out a repeat of the events of 2013.

In September 2013, then-President Serzh Sargsyan announced after a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow that Armenia intended to join the Customs Union, which later became the Eurasian Economic Union. The announcement came after Armenia had concluded negotiations on an Association Agreement with the European Union, which the sides had planned to sign at the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius in November 2013. The Association Agreement was ultimately not signed, and Armenia and the EU later signed the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement instead.

“Let me first address the question of whether I rule out a repeat of the 2013 situation, when Armenia, in one night or two, abandoned the agreed process of signing the Association Agreement with the European Union and decided instead to move towards the Eurasian Economic Union or the Customs Union. My answer is short and clear: yes, I rule it out. It is not possible, especially now that the people of the Republic of Armenia have clearly expressed their support for the policies pursued by the Republic of Armenia, particularly its balanced and balancing foreign policy.

At the same time, as we have repeatedly stated, we have never sought, do not seek and will not seek to create a crisis in Armenia’s relations with Russia. We act in accordance with our country’s interests. Naturally, we do not disregard the interests of any of our international partners, but neither can we place the interests of any other partner above those of the Republic of Armenia. I believe this is a logical approach for any country,” the prime minister said. 

Pashinyan also commented on his July 1 telephone conversation with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

 Asked what issues had been discussed during the call, Pashinyan replied:

“The scope of the discussion was reflected in the official statement. We agreed that we would hold more detailed discussions in the near future.” 

On July 1, the Armenian Prime Minister’s Office said Pashinyan and Mishustin had discussed items on the Armenia-Russia bilateral agenda, including cooperation in the trade and economic, scientific and technological, and cultural and humanitarian fields.

The European Commission has decided to introduce autonomous trade measures for a wide range of goods exported from Armenia, allowing part of those products to enter the European Union duty-free, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at a government meeting.

According to Pashinyan, the initiative will cover around 80% of Armenia’s potential exports.

“The duty-free export regime will apply to about 99% of agricultural products, as well as around 90% of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The final list of products is yet to be determined,” he said.

The prime minister noted that the decision still requires approval by EU member states, while the European Parliament must adopt the relevant resolution, a process that will take time.

“At the political level, the issue has essentially been resolved. Now we need to work with the private sector so that we can fully benefit from these opportunities in practical terms as well,” Pashinyan added.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen paid a working visit to Armenia on July 2, during which she held talks with Prime Minister Pashinyan.

Armenia is working with the European Union on the issue of unblocking regional communications, particularly on the implementation of the northern route, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told reporters.

According to the prime minister, studies have shown that the shortest East-West route passes through Armenia’s Tavush, Lori and Shirak provinces.

“We are working with the European Union on the implementation of this project,” Pashinyan said.

He said the simplest way to implement the project would be to open the Kazakh-Ijevan-Vanadzor-Gyumri-Akhurik roads to international freight traffic on a paid basis. 

Pashinyan noted that the project is easy to implement, but requires political agreements. “Political agreements need to be reached and implemented. Of course, the Armenia-Turkey border also needs to be opened,” the prime minister said.

He assessed that the project could generate significant regional interest. Pashinyan added that a small section of road would need to be built in Akhurik, but said this was feasible.

Idram and IDBank conducted a series of three-day financial literacy training sessions for over 460 participants of the AI Camp organized by the FAST Foundation. With the exponential rise of technology and AI, staying safe in the digital space is becoming increasingly vital for teenagers.

This time, the financial literacy course of Idram and IDBank had two main focuses: fraud prevention methods, along with basic financial concepts and the essentials of launching a startup.

The sessions were held by Tatevik Vardevanyan, Head of the Communications and Social Responsibility Programs Department at IDBank and Idram; Gevorg Darakhchyan, Senior Trainer at IDBank; and Albert Tunyan, Key Account and Digital Payments Projects Unit Head at IDBank and Idram.

Tatevik Vardevanyan, Head of the Communications and Social Responsibility Department, emphasized that financial literacy is a vital skill today: “We are delighted to be here at the summer camp organized by the FAST Foundation. Interacting with the children showed just how interested they are in our financial literacy course. They participated very actively and asked many questions. We sincerely hope that we were able to pass on essential knowledge, which will empower them to make stable and balanced financial decisions in the future”.

Albert Tunyan, Key Account and Digital Payments Projects Unit Head at IDBank and Idram, stated: “The enthusiasm of the participants was undeniable. Throughout the meeting, we explored the toolkit they can use to build their future careers in business. Additionally, we addressed the phases of startup creation and development. I will be glad if many of them ultimately choose an entrepreneurial direction.”

Anush Ayvazyan, Head of Educational Programs at the FAST Foundation, noted: “We highly value this cooperation with Idram and IDBank, thanks to which the children had the opportunity to develop a business mindset and acquire sales skills in the financial sector. We are confident that the course has made a profound impact on the participants, contributing to the realization of their future business ideas.”

IDRAM AND IDBANK COMPANIES ARE SUPERVISED BY THE CBA