Thank you, Prime Minister Pashinyan, dear Nikol, for your warm welcome to Yerevan. You and your team have done an exceptional job of hosting this summit of the European Political Community, bringing together more than 40 leaders from across our continent.
Dear Nikol, the fact that Armenia is hosting this summit, the fact that we are all here today – it is a powerful illustration of the country’s courageous geopolitical path. A path that Armenia and the European Union are walking together. That is also why tomorrow we will hold the first-ever EU-Armenia summit.
Today’s EPC Summit was truly historic. For the first time, the EPC met in the South Caucasus. And the day started with President Aliyev’s participation by videoconference: that means this summit will forever be remembered as a summit of peace in the Caucasus – brought about by brave political choices and patient diplomatic efforts.
This story of peace in Europe, in a world where escalation and war seem to dominate, is something to be celebrated. There is a European way of doing things – through multilateralism, with the UN system at its heart, and in respect for international law.
In the current geopolitical context, it is increasingly clear that our continent needs a 360º degree vision for its security. Meeting here, in Armenia, in the South Caucasus, so close to the Middle East – it is a stark reminder that war in Europe’s neighbourhood has a direct impact on our common security, our energy supply and our economy.
That is why, more than ever, the European Union needs to work hand in hand with Armenia and the region for peace and stability. Lasting peace and stability must be anchored in resilient democratic institutions and strong economic bonds between neighbours. That is why today’s EPC summit focussed on the fight against foreign interference in democratic processes, as well as on the power of connectivity to create win-win economic partnerships.
At the same time, we continue to pursue the goal of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. That is why support for Ukraine continues to be a key focus of the European Political Community. And these were my messages to President Zelenskyy today:
first, the European Union will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes to achieve a sustainable, just, and lasting peace, in full respect of Ukraine’s territorial integrity;
second, we need to take Ukraine’s accession process forward, by opening the first negotiation cluster as soon as possible.
Any discussion about peace and stability in our continent must include our likeminded partners beyond Europe. The participation of Canada’s Prime Minister, Mark Carney, in today’s summit – the first time, we have invited a non-European guest to an EPC summit – is therefore politically very significant. It is a reflection of the strong and growing alignment between Europe and Canada. And a powerful reminder that a principles- and rules-based international order, with multilateralism and the UN system at its heart, are objectives widely shared around the world.
To conclude, today’s summit, in this region, shows that Europe’s way of doing things – diplomacy, multilateralism, and respect of international law – yields results, it yields peace.
I want to thank, once again, Prime Minister Pashinyan again – for hosting this summit of the European Political Community. And, beyond that, for grasping the historic opportunity to bring Armenia closer to the European Union.
And a final word to the Irish Taoiseach, dear Micheál – to say how much I am looking forward to the next EPC summit in Ireland. I am sure it will be as successful as today’s meeting here in Yerevan.
Thank you.
