Story perspectives

EU and Armenia Hold First Summit, Sign 44-Point Deal

5/6/2026

Summary

EU-Armenia Summit

Armenia hosted the first EU-Armenia summit in Yerevan on 5 May 2026, attended by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
The summit issued a 44-point joint declaration, created EU-Armenia Connectivity Partnership and granted six letters of intent to Armenian firms.
The EU presented a visa-liberalisation progress report and steps for full liberalisation, as Armenia, still in the Eurasian Economic Union, moves toward deeper EU ties.

Summary

Carney Attends EPC

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney attended the Yerevan European Political Community (EPC) summit, becoming the first non-European leader, while Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev joined via video, the first Azerbaijani presence in Armenia.
Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan said no joint statement would be issued to keep dialogue open.
Protesters in Yerevan demanded action on missing persons, the release of 19 detainees held in Baku, and the return of Karabakh Armenians.

History

Historical Context

Armenia joined the EU’s Eastern Partnership in 2009, building on a 1996 Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and the 2017 Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement that took effect on 1 March 2021. Today, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan meet to adopt a 44-point declaration, backed by a €270 million EU resilience plan.

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EU-Armenia Summit

Armenia hosted the first EU-Armenia summit in Yerevan on 5 May 2026, attended by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
The summit issued a 44-point joint declaration, created EU-Armenia Connectivity Partnership and granted six letters of intent to Armenian firms.
The EU presented a visa-liberalisation progress report and steps for full liberalisation, as Armenia, still in the Eurasian Economic Union, moves toward deeper EU ties.

1 / 3