Geostrategic Europe

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).

The 8th Summit of the European Political Community (EPC) opened on Monday morning (4 May) in the Armenian Capital Yerevan. It is held under the slogan "Building the future: unity and stability in Europe". At the start of the meeting the leaders took a "family photo". (See image) The European Political Community (EPC) brings together the Leaders of around 50 European partners on an equal footing, in a spirit of unity, and with a shared purpose. It provides a political platform to: 1. foster political dialogue and cooperation to address issues of common interest 2. strengthen the security, stability and prosperity of the European continent The EPC offers a space for European Leaders to engage, exchange and enhance cooperation. It does not replace any existing organisation, structure or process. The European Political Community has met seven times since 2022, and convenes for the 8th time in Yerevan on the 4th of May 2026. European leaders arrived in Yerevan from all across Europe on 3 May to participate in the summit, making this the largest gathering of European leaders in the South Caucasus ever. Among those is Yerevan is French President, Emanuel Macron, who on Sunday evening, accompanied by Armenian prime minister Nikol Pashinyan, went on a walk on the streets of Yerevan. Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, is also in Yerevan. He is the first non-European leader to participate in an EPC summit. There was a lot of speculation regarding Azerbaijan's participation. It is now understood that president Ilham Aliyev will participate in the summit by video link. commonspace.eu special correspondent at the summit, Alex Verge, will file a report on the summit conclusions at the end of the meeting.