Distinguished Co-Chairs,
Honorable Members of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am pleased to welcome you in Yerevan on the occasion of the 12th Ordinary Session of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly.
This is an important platform for strengthening closer ties between the European Union and the Eastern Partnership countries. The parliamentary cooperation with the EU, as well as the Eastern Partnership, has made a significant contribution to the consolidation of democratic reforms in Armenia. We have made a clear choice in favor of democratization and reform, and we are determined to continue along this path.
In recent years, unprecedented progress has been recorded in almost all areas of Armenia–EU bilateral cooperation. This includes the development of political and economic partnership, as well as the deepening of cooperation in the fields of security and defense. The dialogue on visa liberalization is also advancing rapidly.
Armenia is committed to the effective implementation of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA). At the same time, I am confident that the recently agreed “New Partnership Agenda” will help reinforce new priorities in our cooperation.
Earlier this year, in March, the National Assembly of Armenia adopted the Law on Launching Accession Process of the Republic of Armenia to the European Union. It was a civic initiative, and we are pleased to see such an active position in our society on the issue of European integration.
Dear colleagues,
At the previous session of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly, I referred to the establishment of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, noting that the sides were on the verge of reaching an agreement. And indeed, on August 8, 2025, in Washington, with the participation of the President of the United States, the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan signed a Joint Declaration. On the same day, the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan initialed the text of the Agreement on Establishment of Peace and Interstate Relations. The signing of the Declaration and the initialing of the peace agreement imply that peace has already been achieved.
Nevertheless, a number of humanitarian issues remain unresolved - the detainees still held in Azerbaijan, the issue of prisoners of war (POWs) present an obstacle that must be resolved. Another important humanitarian priority is the clarification of the numerous missing persons’ destiny.
As result of the Washington meeting, Armenia will work with the United States and mutually agreed third parties to implement the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP) initiative. The TRIPP project stems from Armenia’s vision to ensure uninterrupted regional connectivity, through its declared “Crossroads of Peace” project. It envisages the development of railways, highways, pipelines, power transmission lines, and communication cables linking Armenia, Azerbaijan, and neighboring countries.
In this context, I would also like to note that Armenia welcomes the EU’s new strategic approach toward the Black Sea region.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Armenia has begun preparatory works to host the 8th Summit of the European Political Community in Yerevan in May 2026. We are also preparing for another major international event to be held in Armenia in the autumn of 2026 - the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP-17).
The coming year is also important from the perspective of Armenia’s domestic political life. In June 2026, regular parliamentary elections will take place. I am confident that, thanks to the large-scale democratic reforms carried out with the support of the European Union, we will successfully conduct these elections as well.
Dear colleagues,
Once again, I warmly welcome you in Yerevan and wish you fruitful discussions.
Thank you.
