“Very impressive”: Macron says Armenia’s global standing improved under Pashinyan

French President Emmanuel Macron has hailed Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s policies as “very impressive”. Speaking at a panel discussion at the European Political Community Summit in Yerevan alongside UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Macron indicated that global perceptions of Armenia have changed significantly during Pashinyan’s tenure.

“By the way, I believe that Nikol Pashinyan’s work in Armenia over recent years has been very impressive. Let’s be honest: eight years ago, no one would have come here. And the fact that so many visits are taking place in your country today is a good signal,” he said.

According to Macron, a number of countries viewed Armenia differently in the past.

“Eight years ago, many countries around this table saw this country as a real satellite of Russia. Nikol Pashinyan organized the Velvet Revolution and decided to protect his country from Russia. And because of that, he has been, and continues to be, subjected to daily attacks,” the French president said.

He also emphasized the importance of Armenia’s European choice. “The fact that he made a decision about the world and about Europe is a very strong signal,” Macron said.

The French president added that Ukraine’s war of resistance, Armenia’s strategy, and the steps being taken in Moldova reflect a common direction among European countries.

“Over the past few years, we Europeans have decided to sound a collective alarm and not to depend on any major power. And this is also one of the key preconditions for strategic autonomy,” he stressed.