The authoritative British newspaper “The Telegraph” writes that the summit of the European Political Community in Yerevan was marked by an unprecedented event: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney became the first leader of a non-European state to join this format. Although the idea of Canada joining the EU still seems unrealistic, Carney’s presence in the Armenian capital is a clear signal addressed to the White House.
The publication notes that, while Emmanuel Macron’s ideas for building an “independent and powerful Europe” were previously ridiculed, the return of Donald Trump changed everything. High trade tariffs, threats to annex Greenland, and the withdrawal of American troops from Germany have forced European leaders to reconsider their strategy.
As author Joe Barnes notes, European leaders (including the leaders of the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy) who tried to build bridges with Trump failed after refusing to join his war on Iran. Now they have gathered in Yerevan, without Trump, to build a “third superpower” to avoid being squeezed between the United States and China.
Mark Carney, who warned in Davos that integration with the United States was a thing of the past, has become one of the key figures at the Yerevan summit. His presence has revived discussions about a possible rapprochement between Canada and the EU, which, according to recent polls, is supported by about 60% of Canadians.
This Yerevan meeting is effectively becoming a platform where the “middle powers” of the West are trying to prove that they are “not part of the menu,” but rather players dictating their own agenda.
