Tuesday, 02 January 2024 12:17 GMT

EU Commends Armenia’s Peace Efforts to Azerbaijan, Türkiye


(MENAFN) The European Union on Monday commended Armenia for its growing role in stabilizing the South Caucasus, spotlighting its diplomatic outreach toward Türkiye and a historic peace initiative with Azerbaijan.

In Brussels, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa. The high-level meeting focused on regional security dynamics and ways to deepen ties between the EU and Armenia.

Calling Armenia’s draft peace accord with Azerbaijan “a seismic moment” for the region, von der Leyen underscored its significance: “It brings decades of hostility to a close. I hope the treaty can be signed as soon as possible,” she stated.

Pashinyan reaffirmed his government’s dedication to democratic reform and aligning more closely with the European Union.

"We are working to have a deeper and broader partnership with Armenia, and we want to develop our relationship," Costa said.

In a joint declaration, EU leaders expressed firm backing for Armenia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and democratic path. They also welcomed steps toward visa liberalization and praised recent legislative measures aimed at accelerating the country’s EU integration.

Brussels emphasized its support for Armenia’s inclusion in regional infrastructure and economic frameworks, with particular attention to projects connected to the Black Sea region.

The EU reinforced its commitment to Armenia’s long-term prosperity, announcing enhanced financial and technical cooperation. Under the Global Gateway strategy, EU investments are projected to total €2.5 billion ($2.9 billion).

April’s unveiling of the €270 million (approximately $293 million) Resilience and Growth Plan further boosts EU support by 50%, targeting critical reforms and sectoral investments.

Regional connectivity featured heavily in the discussions. The EU reiterated its endorsement of Armenia’s Crossroads of Peace initiative—an infrastructure strategy aimed at unlocking regional trade corridors, including routes to Türkiye and Azerbaijan.

Security collaboration is also deepening. Brussels revealed the launch of dedicated EU-Armenia Security and Defense consultations, underscoring the bloc’s expanding presence in a region where Russian influence is receding.

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