EPC Summit in Yerevan places Armenia “in the heart of Europe,” Costa says

President of the European Council António Costa described the 8th Summit of the European Political Community in Yerevan as “truly historic,” highlighting Armenia’s growing ties with Europe and the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

“I would like to warmly thank Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for hosting us here in Yerevan,” Costa said in his remarks at the summit opening, also thanking participants attending in person and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for joining via video teleconference.

“Today’s European Political Community Summit is truly historic,” Costa said.

According to Costa, the summit was historic because “for the first time the EPC meets here in the South Caucasus and because it places Armenia in the heart of Europe which is exactly where it belongs in light of its long and rich history.”

Costa also pointed to the agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan as another reason for the summit’s significance.

“That agreement is a story of peace in Europe that must be celebrated in a world where escalation and war seem to dominate,” he said.

He stated that improved relations between Armenia and Türkiye, together with the Armenia-Azerbaijan agreement, had placed the region on “a transformative path.”

“Interconnected strategic industries, markets, transport corridors, digital networks and energy interconnections build trust, create jobs and bind neighbors together through practical cooperation and shared growth,” Costa said, adding that the European Union “stands ready to be a reliable partner in turning this vision into reality.”

Costa stressed the importance of strengthening Armenian democracy and combating “external interference and misinformation.”

“The future of Armenian democracy lies in the hands of the Armenian citizens only,” he said.

The European Council president also announced that, for the first time, a non-European guest had been invited to an EPC summit – Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Addressing broader geopolitical developments, Costa said the ongoing Russian war against Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East showed that Europe needed “a 360 degree vision for its security.”

“In a world of growing chaos, that vision must be guided by one clear overarching principle,” he said. “Europe must be at the forefront of the defense of the rules-based international order, anchored in the United Nations Charter.”

Costa also emphasized the importance of multilateralism and described Canada as “more than a like-minded [partner], it is a close partner.”

He noted that the EPC was not only about discussing shared visions but also about “using that vision into reality” in areas including energy, connectivity and democratic resilience.

Costa said the EPC would continue serving as “a catalyst for action,” including in support of Ukraine, Moldova and Armenia, as well as in “building a European coalition against drugs.”

Concluding his remarks, Costa again thanked Pashinyan “for the courageous political decisions he has taken to bring Armenia closer to the European Union.”

“The direction of travel is unmistakable,” Costa said, noting that the first-ever European Union-Armenia summit would take place in Yerevan the following day.

“And that is worth celebrating.”