Diplomacy

The first Armenia–EU Summit was held in Yerevan on Tuesday, 5 May 2026. It marked a historic milestone in bilateral relations, featuring the signing of a number of strategic documents and new initiatives aimed at deepening cooperation. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President António Costa, together with other participants, witnessed the signing of the EU–Armenia Connectivity Partnership — a major step forward in strengthening transport, energy, and digital links. Fully aligned with the EU’s Cross-Regional Connectivity Agenda and Armenia’s Crossroads of Peace initiative, it will boost trade, create jobs, reinforce resilience, and support regional stability. The partnership will be institutionalised through a High-Level Dialogue on Connectivity, alongside a High-Level Transport Dialogue, also launched at the summit. Additionally, the EU is boosting economic growth in the country by launching a Call for Expressions of Interest, inviting companies in the EU, the European Economic Area, and Armenia to develop strategic investment projects in Armenia. The signing of the first Letters of Intent with selected private sector partners in the fields of digital infrastructure, semiconductor skills, innovation ecosystems, and private investment mobilisation aims to bring a tangible positive impact to Armenia. The first progress report on Armenia’s implementation of the visa liberalisation action plan was formally handed to the Armenian side. This first report acknowledges good progress and provides recommendations on the next steps in its implementation. In addition, leaders witnessed the initialling of a working arrangement between the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) and the Armenian Ministry of Internal Affairs, which will enhance cooperation on border and migration management, supporting Armenia in the implementation of the visa liberalisation action plan. On security and defence, leaders welcomed the establishment of an EU Partnership Mission in Armenia. (This article is part of the Armenia Season on commonspace.eu)

Leaders from more than 45 European countries and beyond gathered today in Yerevan for the eighth summit of the European Political Community (EPC). The summit was the largest gathering of European leaders ever held in the South Caucasus. Apart from the set piece events in plenary session, many leaders also held private bilateral meetings. commonspace.eu special correspondent, Alex Verge, was at the summit, from where he filed this report: European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, France President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky were amongst the myriad of European leaders that gathered on Monday for 8th summit of the European Political Community. Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney was also present, making him the first non-European leader to take part in an EPC summit. The summit marked the first of two days of high-level diplomacy in Yerevan, with the city also hosting the first ever bilateral EU-Armenia summit tomorrow. Both summits are signals of support from Europe for the policies of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, in power since 2018. In particular, the Pashinyan administration has looked to develop new foreign partnerships, reduce Armenia’s reliance on historic partner Russia, and pursue a difficult peace process with Azerbaijan. A polarising figure in Armenian politics, Pashinyan is seeking re-election in June this year in parliamentary elections. (click image to read the report in full).