The European Union has intensified its agenda in the South Caucasus with two parallel and simultaneous movements. The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyenand the president of the European Council, Antonio Costa, participated in the first EU-Armenia bilateral summitheld in Yerevanthe capital, together with the Armenian prime minister, Nikol Pashinyanand culminated in a joint declaration and cooperation agreements.
Meanwhile, the high representative for EU Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallasmade a diplomatic visit to Azerbaijan to convey Brussels’ willingness to deepen cooperation, focused on political dialogue, trade, transportation, digital economy and peace process.
With this double movement, the EU wants to gain presence in a region key for connections between Europe, the Black Sea, the South Caucasus and Central Asia. Brussels wants to combine investments, security and diplomacy to support the paz and the regional stability.
The summit with Armenia
In the joint Yerevan declaration, the EU and Armenia describe the meeting as “a historic milestone” in deepening their relationships. The text reaffirms European support for Armenian sovereignty, its resilience and its reform agenda.
The declaration also recognizes the European aspirations of the Armenian people, following the law approved in March 2025 to launch the process of rapprochement with the EU. Brussels links this path to respect for democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
Von der Leyen maintained that the summit opens “a new stage”. According to the president of the Commission, “This first EU-Armenia Summit takes our partnership to a new level and sets a clear direction and agenda for the coming years”. The objective, he added, is to move towards a future “more secure, prosperous and stable”.
Connectivity and investments
The most visible result was the EU-Armenia connectivity partnership, focused on transport, energy and digitalization. The declaration provides for high-level dialogues to coordinate projects and strengthen Armenia’s connections with European markets.
The agenda is framed by the Global Gateway, with European investments planned in Armenia of up to 2.5 billion euros. Added to this is the Resilience and Growth Plan, equipped with 270 million eurosto support reforms and investments in energy, transportation and the private sector.
Brussels also wants to mobilize European private investment in Armenia, with opportunities in digital infrastructure, innovation, semiconductors, artificial intelligence and supercomputing.
Security, visas and borders
The summit also had a strong security dimension. Armenia and the EU agreed to deepen cooperation in defence, cybersecurity, crisis management and combating hybrid threats, including foreign information manipulation.
The declaration confirms a new EU partnership mission in Armenia to strengthen democratic resilience and institutional capacity. It also recalls two rounds of non-lethal assistance from the European Peace Support Fund, for 30 million eurosto increase the country’s resilience and the interoperability of its Armed Forces.
In parallel, Brussels highlights the “significant progress” in the visa liberalization dialogue, launched in 2024. The EU and Armenia also promote cooperation with Frontex, Europol and Eurojust on borders, migration and justice.
EU High Representative and Vice President for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas listens to European Council President Antonio Costa during the Armenia-European Union summit in Yerevan on May 5, 2026. / KAREN MINASYAN / AFP
The road with Azerbaijan
The second front opened in Azerbaijan. There, Kallas stated that the EU is willing to deepen its partnership with Baku. The high representative pointed out that both parties have “clear opportunities to deepen cooperation”especially in commerce, transportation and the digital economy.
Kallas added that strengthening ties between the EU, the South Caucasus and Central Asia responds to common strategic interests. Brussels is open to discussing a more structured partnership with Azerbaijan. At the same time, he stressed that “an open and frank dialogue on human rights” will continue to be an integral part of the bilateral relationship.
Although this movement is not equivalent to a bilateral summit, it is a separate diplomatic channel, in order to maintain regional balance and stability.
Peace as a connection point
The bridge between both events is the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Kallas described the progress as a “historic opportunity” and urged to maintain the momentum. The EU-Armenia declaration, for its part, praises efforts to institutionalize peace and secure the signing and ratification of a treaty.
The Yerevan text also supports normalization between Armenia and Turkey and the inclusive reopening of regional communications on the basis of sovereignty, territorial integrity, inviolability of borders and reciprocity.
The general photograph is that of a double European approach to the South Caucasus. With Armenia, the EU consolidates a political, economic and security partnership with concrete instruments. With Azerbaijan, it opens the door to closer cooperation linked to trade, connectivity, human rights and regional peace.
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