EU’s Costa hails first Armenia–EU summit as historic, says Armenia key to South Caucasus ties

European Council President António Costa hailed the first Armenia–EU Summit in Yerevan as a historic moment, casting Armenia as central to the European Union’s relations with the South Caucasus and vowing support for Armenians’ freedom to choose their own future.

Speaking at the opening of the summit, Costa said both the May 4 EPC gathering and the inaugural bilateral meeting with Armenia carry historic weight. He described Armenia as entering a new phase of peace and consolidation of its democratic system, which he said creates favorable conditions to deepen ties with the EU.

Armenia, he added, plays a key role in the EU’s engagement with the South Caucasus and serves as a bridge linking Europe with the Caspian Sea and Central Asia. According to Costa, relations have further strengthened following the adoption of a strategic agenda signed between Armenia and the EU in early December 2025.

He said Yerevan and Brussels are working closely in security and defense, coordinating under the European Peace Facility to counter hybrid threats. Costa also pointed to a new EU mission deployed to Armenia, for which the decision was taken in April this year, with the aim of reinforcing the country’s democratic resilience.

He called the mission a tangible sign of a shared commitment to address challenges and affirmed that Armenia can rely on the EU as it pursues a new phase in its future. The EU Council established the EU Partnership Mission in Armenia (EUPM Armenia) in April under the Common Security and Defence Policy to help enhance Armenia’s democratic resilience and its ability to manage crises.

The mission will support Armenia in addressing multi-layered threats, including foreign information manipulation and interference, cyberattacks, and illicit financial flows. It will provide strategic advice and capacity building to ministries and national institutions on policy development, support a whole-of-government approach, and offer operational advice.

A project cell within the mission will identify and implement concrete actions within its mandate in close coordination with like-minded partners. Concluding his remarks, Costa said that building on the outcomes of the first Armenia–EU Summit, the two sides can further develop their strategic partnership and jointly invest in peace for the prosperity of Armenia and Europe.