Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan hosted European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the Presidential Palace within the framework of the inaugural Armenia-EU Summit.
First, an official welcoming ceremony took place, during which the EU and RA anthems were played, and a military march was held.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan then had a private meeting with Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen.
After the private meeting, an expanded meeting was held.
Welcoming the European Union delegation, Nikol Pashinyan noted, “It is a great honor for me to welcome you to Yerevan within the framework of the inaugural Armenia-EU Summit. Today, with our own step, we are also raising Armenia-EU relations to a qualitatively new level. For the first time in history, the Republic of Armenia and the European Union are holding a bilateral summit.”
According to the Prime Minister, a weighty agenda has already been formed in Armenia-EU relations, which will soon need to be discussed at the summit level, with quite detailed and extensive work already done. “Of course, we have already had the opportunity to discuss a fairly wide range of issues in a narrow format, and I am pleased to note that we have common positions and a developed understanding on many issues on our agenda. This means that there is an appropriate atmosphere for us to focus on the implementation and realization of the agenda,” the Prime Minister said.
Nikol Pashinyan expressed gratitude for the European Union’s strong support during this period, particularly in the field of democratic and institutional reforms. “I have repeatedly had the opportunity to say that democracy for us is not a random occurrence of circumstances, but a strategy that is consciously adopted as a decision by the people of the Republic of Armenia,” the Head of State emphasized.
According to Prime Minister Pashinyan, all reforms that could have been carried out solely on political will have been implemented. “To ensure the further progress of reforms, a greater institutional, legislative, and expert investment is necessary. And in this regard, of course, our cooperation with the European Union is very important. I can already thank our partners for supporting us in this matter, starting with issues related to guarantees of the independence of the judiciary, continuing with the issue of confronting various, including hybrid, challenges, which is of course also an issue on our agenda.” The Prime Minister added that the spread of disinformation and hate speech on social networks, and sometimes in the press, is also a problem in many European Union countries. “We are facing this problem today, and of course, we hope that here too the European Union will support us in the exchange of experience or in the tools that have already been introduced in the European Union; we expect greater access to these tools, the content of the tools, to apply them in the Republic of Armenia.”
Antonio Costa, on behalf of the European Union, expressed his gratitude for the warm hospitality and noted, “Yesterday we experienced a very historic moment, holding the first summit of the European Political Community. Today, a second important historical event is taking place: the first summit between the European Union and Armenia. This is a clear signal of how the European Union wants to build relations with Armenia. Armenia is entering a new period of peace, consolidation of the democratic regime, and this, of course, creates a good environment for the development of our bilateral relations.”
The President of the European Council recalled that the European Union-Armenia Strategic Partnership Agenda was adopted in December last year. “Since that day, we have been strengthening and strengthening our relations. We also work closely in the areas of security and defense within the framework of the European Peace Facility.”
Antonio Costa noted that the European Union’s Partnership Mission, established last April, aims to strengthen Armenia’s democratic resilience and is a tangible result of a shared commitment to addressing challenges together. “It is important for us to protect the freedom of the Armenian people to choose their own destiny. You can count on us to walk this path together and to tread the path of our common destiny together. Armenia plays a cornerstone role in our relations with the South Caucasus and also connects Europe through the South Caucasus to the Caspian Sea and Central Asia. This is the history of our regions, and this is also the future of our regions,” said the President of the European Council.
Antonio Costa also expressed hope that, based on the summit’s results, we can develop a strategic partnership and a common future in peace for the benefit of the Armenian people and the well-being of Europe.
Ursula von der Leyen also thanked Nikol Pashinyan for hosting the first summit in Armenia. “There has always been a special bond between Armenia and Europe; our ties go back to myths and ancient civilizations. But it is not only our history and culture that unite us, not only our ancient ties, but also the opportunities that still lie ahead of us; they unite us as well. And indeed, Armenia and the European Union are closer than ever. We are making good progress towards visa-free travel between Europe and Armenia to ensure investment flows. 2.5 billion euros are already foreseen in our investment program under the name “Global Gateways, – said the President of the European Commission.
According to Ursula von der Leyen, the Armenia-EU summit, in the context of partnership, will raise cooperation to a new level. “Armenia indeed, as you said, provides the shortest route to Central Asia and the Caspian Sea with Europe. Previously, this route was closed due to war and geopolitical considerations; now you are changing this, thanks to your courageous choice for peace and greater integration into European networks. Through this, Armenia can become a regional hub,” said the President of the European Commission, adding that Europe is ready to assist in this matter.
Summing up her speech, Ursula von der Leyen noted: “Thank you for your wonderful hospitality. Long live our partnership.”
As a result of the summit, an Armenia-EU joint declaration was adopted.
As a result of the RA-EU summit, several documents were also signed. In particular, the Armenia-EU Connectivity Partnership document was signed. The document was signed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Vahan Kostanyan and Director for Eastern Neighborhood and Turkey of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighborhood Adrien Kiraly. To support the call for investment in Armenia under the Connectivity Partnership, the European Union has delivered 6 letters of intent to key Armenian companies and foundations.
Next, the initialing of a working arrangement on operational cooperation in the field of border management was signed between the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia and the EU Border and Coast Guard Agency. The document was signed by the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, Arpine Sargsyan, and the Executive Director of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, Hans Leytens.
Head of the EU Delegation to the Republic of Armenia, Vassilis Maragos, handed over to the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, Arpine Sargsyan, the European Commission’s progress report on the implementation of the Visa Liberalization Action Plan. It also presents recommendations on achieving full visa liberalization between Armenia and the EU, if all conditions are met.
