Key facts
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen plans to visit Armenia next week.
- The visit is a high-profile show of support for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's pro-European government.
- The trip follows Pashinyan's party securing a decisive victory in the June parliamentary election.
- The visit aims to cement Armenia's shift away from Moscow and deepen ties with the EU.
- The EU will provide €34 million to help offset new Russian restrictions on Armenian exports.
- The EU has deployed a civilian monitoring mission along Armenia's border with Azerbaijan.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is preparing for a high-profile visit to Armenia next week, signaling strong EU support for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's government following his pro-European party's decisive election victory. The trip, planned for July 1, underscores Armenia's geopolitical shift away from Moscow and towards deeper integration with the European Union.
An EU official stated that the visit would send a strong signal of support, emphasizing that "Europe is here for you," especially given the intense pressure Armenia has faced from Russia. The trip has led to the cancellation of the College of Commissioners meeting scheduled for July 1, delaying several legislative proposals, including the Public Procurement Act and initiatives on the defense single market.
This visit marks von der Leyen's second trip to Armenia in under two months, following her participation in the European Political Community summit hosted by Armenia in May. The recent Armenian election was the first since Russian forces began withdrawing from Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2022. Since then, Pashinyan has accelerated Armenia's Western pivot, suspending participation in the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and expressing interest in eventual EU membership.
Pashinyan secured a third term despite alleged Russian interference efforts, with Armenian authorities arresting over 40 individuals in connection with an alleged vote-buying scheme. Brussels has increased its political and financial backing for Armenia as its relations with the Kremlin have soured. Last week, the EU confirmed €34 million in aid to mitigate the impact of new Russian restrictions on Armenian exports and support trade diversification towards European markets. Additionally, the bloc has deployed a civilian monitoring mission along Armenia's border with Azerbaijan.
