European leaders gathered in Yerevan on 4–5 May for the European Political Community (EPC) summit and the first EU–Armenia summit, placing the South Caucasus and its fragile peace process at the centre of regional diplomacy.
During the EU–Armenia summit, the sides signed a “connectivity partnership” aimed at strengthening transport links and regional integration.
The agreement was concluded in the presence of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President António Costa. It also included a working arrangement between Armenia’s Interior Ministry and Frontex.
The summit followed the 8th European Political Community meeting, which brought together more than 40 European leaders in Yerevan.
Dr George Mchedlishvili, Associate Professor at the European University, told AnewZ’s Katie Wilson on the Daybreak programme on Tuesday:
“The event is a real watershed event. For the first time, the summit takes place in Armenia, actually in the European Political Community.”
He said Armenia is “trying to reposition itself in a new light as an important partner for the European Union, pivoting away from Russia cautiously”.
He also underlined the political signal sent by the EU: “The European Union, by attending en masse the summit in Armenia, shows its firm political support behind the incumbents.”
Armenian officials highlighted the country’s renewable energy potential, particularly solar power, noting that some regions experience more than 300 sunny days per year.
Prime Minister Pashinyan said Armenia is working with EU partners on energy storage and hydrogen technologies, adding that the country could develop export capacity in the future.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “There are limitless opportunities for the development of solar energy in our country.”
She also confirmed EU financial and technical support, including €25 million for energy infrastructure and storage systems.
Von der Leyen announced expanded EU assistance to Armenia in countering hybrid threats and disinformation, alongside support through the European Peace Facility.
Armenia is also seeking EU support in judicial reform, cybersecurity and digital resilience.
Armenia’s closer engagement with the EU comes amid strained relations with Russia. Commenting on the country’s shifting geopolitical direction, George Mchedlishvili said Russia’s reaction has been strongly negative:
“Russia is extremely disappointed. Russia is extremely angry.”
He added that Moscow’s ability to respond is constrained by wider geopolitical pressures:
“Russia is so much bogged down in Ukraine that [it] simply doesn’t have any meaningful ways today to preclude Armenia from coming closer to the West.”
The peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan was among the key political themes underpinning discussions at the summit.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, whose visit to Azerbaijan on 5 May followed the Yerevan meetings, linked the region’s diplomatic momentum to broader strategic interests.
“Strengthening connectivity between the EU, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia is in our shared strategic interest. The progress on the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia represents a historic opportunity, and it’s important to sustain momentum,” Kallas said.
Both Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders referred to progress in the peace process in their respective remarks.
Pashinyan described the EPC forum as an important platform for supporting peace efforts, while Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev highlighted the emerging practical benefits of stability, including trade and transport links.
French President Emmanuel Macron warned against external competition in the region, stating:
“The South Caucasus is not destined to be a field of empires competing over it as a trophy.”
Macron argued that the region should instead function as a bridge between Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East, adding that lasting stability can be achieved through international law and cooperation rather than power politics.
Tensions are escalating in the Gulf after new attacks linked to maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. forces say they struck Iranian fast...
An explosion at a major metallurgical facility in Kazakhstan has killed two people and injured five others, officials and the company involved have...
The World Health Organization said it suspects rare human-to-human transmission of hantavirus among close contacts on a cruise ship off Cape Verde,...
A Russian overnight missile and drone attack on Ukraine’s gas production facilities has killed five people, including two rescue workers, Ukr...
European leaders gathered in Yerevan on 4–5 May for the European Political Community (EPC) summit and the first EU–Armenia summit, plac...
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas’s planned visits to Yerevan and Baku framed the 8th European Political Community summit on 4 May, as European leaders focused on fragile South Caucasus peace efforts and rising geopolitical tensions.
At a time when geopolitical tensions continue to ripple across multiple regions, from Ukraine to the Middle East, the South Caucasus once again finds itself at the crossroads of diplomacy and uncertainty.
Türkiye’s Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz is set to visit Armenia in early May to take part in the 8th European Political Community Summit, in what will be the highest-level Turkish visit to the country to date. Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is reportedly expected to miss the forum.
The South Caucasus peace process is entering a sensitive phase, shaped not only by negotiations between Baku and Yerevan but also by competing external narratives, lobbying dynamics and shifting geopolitical alignments.
A 77-year-old man and a 63-year-old woman were killed on Monday (4 May), after a man drove a car into a crowd on a pedestrianised street in the the eastern German city of Leipzig, authorities said.
Iran warned Armerican forces on Monday (4 May) not to enter the Strait of Hormuz, after the U.S. said it had launched a mission to try and reopen the sea passage. Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister said there was no military solution to the Middle East conflict.
Tensions are escalating in the Gulf after new attacks linked to maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. forces say they struck Iranian fast boats at sea following hostile manoeuvres, after Iran was blamed for an earlier attack on a UAE oil facility.
Medics are working to evacuate two people with symptoms of the deadly respiratory illness, hantavirus, from a luxury cruise ship being held off West Africa, after three people died and several others fell ill, officials have said.
What is hantavirus? Three people have died and three are still ill on a Netherlands-based cruise ship after it was hit by a suspected outbreak of the deadly virus, according to authorities on Sunday.
An explosion at a major metallurgical facility in Kazakhstan has killed two people and injured five others, officials and the company involved have confirmed.
The World Food Programme’s Afghanistan country director has said the cost of transporting food aid into the country has tripled, as global shipping disruption delays supplies for vulnerable children.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry has said it is difficult to assess the U.S. response to its proposal, citing Washington’s history of “excessive and unreasonable” demands.
Türkiye and Armenia have agreed to restore the historic Ani Bridge, in a move described as “symbolic and concrete cooperation” by Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas’s planned visits to Yerevan and Baku framed the 8th European Political Community summit on 4 May, as European leaders focused on fragile South Caucasus peace efforts and rising geopolitical tensions.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment