Armenien

Today, the European Commission has disbursed €34 million to Armenia to help mitigate the impact of Russia's trade restrictions on the country's private sector. Just two weeks after President von der Leyen's call with Prime Minister Pashinyan, the EU is delivering swiftly on its commitments to support Armenia and its people.

Nikol Pashinyan’s sweeping re-election in Armenia has raised fresh hopes that the border with Turkey could finally reopen after three decades of closure. The Armenian prime minister campaigned on restoring ties with Turkey and Azerbaijan, as well as moving Armenia closer to Europe – but constitutional reform remains a major obstacle.

The Council today appointed Cosmin George Dinescu as Head of Mission for the newly established European Union Partnership Mission in Armenia (EUPM Armenia) for an initial mandate of one year, starting on 11 June 2026. The decision was taken by the EU’s Political and Security Committee. 

The 7 June 2026 parliamentary elections offered voters a genuine choice among political alternatives in a well-run process, although direct pressure from abroad, in the form of escalating trade restrictions and security threats were observed during the campaign, aimed at unduly influencing voters in favour of the opposition, international observers said in a preliminary statement released today.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan won a convincing victory in Sunday’s parliamentary election, which validated his vision of a ‘real Armenia’: democratic, secure and independent within its current borders. … But any sense of EU complacency now that the election is over would be misplaced.

The ruling Civil Contract party is forecast to secure about half of the nation’s votes this Sunday, while its primary opposition led by Samvuel Karapetyan, Strong Armenia, is polling to get 19 percent of the vote. The incumbent prime minister, while in the race for re-election, has faced harsh criticism for arresting various members of the church, as well as the leader of the largest opposition party, Karapetyan.

Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan have issued an ultimatum to Armenia, threatening to suspend its membership in the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) amid tensions over Armenia’s push to join the European Union. A joint declaration published on the Kremlin website claims that Armenian preparations for EU membership would endanger the “economic security" of the remaining member states.

Armenians face a febrile campaign but feel the benefits of improved security since hostilities with Azerbaijan ended.

The United States pledged Tuesday, May 26, to move forward with Armenia on a planned corridor connecting parts of rival Azerbaijan, during a lightning visit by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. 

Today, the European Union and Armenia held their first ever Summit in Yerevan, reinforcing cooperation in the areas of connectivity, security and defence, economic development and people-to-people contacts. … On security and defence, leaders welcomed the establishment of an EU Partnership Mission in Armenia. Upon the request of Armenia, the EU will help enhancing Armenia's resilience. Additionally, the Armenian Armed Forces received the first deliveries of EU assistance under the European Peace Facility, with a total value of EUR 30 million.