“I believe this step towards Europe is a historic step for Armenia,” Varduhi Gasparyan, a young Armenian woman, told DW. “This will bring many positive things,” he said while enjoying the sunshine on Republic Square in Yerevan. The Armenian capital is bustling with activity at this time.
Earlier this week, dozens of European leaders and representatives of key EU institutions traveled to the city for the first meeting of the European Political Community (EPC) in the South Caucasus, as well as the first EU-Armenia summit. It is a strong signal to the West at a crucial moment in Armenia’s long history. And it is also a signal to the population: Europe is serious, and close cooperation continues.
geopolitical crossroads
Varduhi Gasparyan, who works in the field of tourism, agrees: “Although the Armenians are very strong people and a very talented nation, given the current political situation, we need everyone’s support, whether from the European side, whether from the Russian side, or from other major powers.”
Armenia is located at a geopolitical crossroads between Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and Central Asia. For centuries, this situation has left the landlocked country vulnerable to foreign rule, conflict, and geopolitical influence.
Today, Armenia is deeply influenced by its Soviet past.
Republic Square – surrounded by monumental buildings made of pink tuff stone – is located in the center of the capital. This small, mountainous country of about 3 million is home to one of the oldest Christian cultures in the world.
Europe is getting closer
Blue skies, red carpet and the national anthems of the European Union and Armenia welcomed the EU leaders at the Presidential Palace.
“Today’s EU-Armenia summit sends a clear signal of the EU’s firm commitment to deepening our relations with Armenia and strengthening cooperation in a number of new areas,” European Council President Antonio Costa said.
The new EU-Armenia Connectivity Partnership will focus on strengthening transport, energy and digital links.
“For Armenia, the path toward Europe is a balancing act,” Jakob Wollenstein, head of the Belarus office of the German political foundation Konrad Adenauer Foundation, told DW. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is moving his country very carefully and only step by step toward the West, he said. “Armenia does not want to prematurely break ties with Russia because it cannot afford to do so,” he said, explaining that Moscow has very close economic and security ties with the Russian government. At the same time, Armenia was trying to maintain good relations with its neighbors and not alienate any of them, while still orienting itself clearly towards the West.
Multi-track foreign policy
“I think this is evidence of Armenian foreign policy diversification,” Benyamin Poghosyan of the APRI Institute for Applied Policy Research in Armenia told DW. Armenia “wants to add new partners and new friends to the list of countries with which it has excellent relations and in this case, the European Union,” he said, underlining that individual European countries were also important.
Additionally, normalizing relations with Armenia’s neighbors Azerbaijan and Türkiye is also part of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s strategy.
“These summits are taking place just a month before the parliamentary elections [on June 7, 2026] This is an important factor,” said Tigran Grigoryan, director of the Center for Regional Democracy and Security in Yerevan. “It also shows that Armenia has already become the most important partner for the EU in the South Caucasus,” he told DW. He added that, in his view, the EU is sending a signal to the Armenian public that “this government is one we want to work with.” It would be good if this government is re-elected.”
Russia’s increasing pressure
As Armenia prepares for the final stage of the election campaign, cyber attacksAnd disinformation campaigns are increasing, particularly from Russia. The EU has already dispatched experts to help Armenia counter these threats. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, “The only legitimate source of power in this country is the will of the Armenian people.”
“Recently, we have seen increasing signs that Russia is ready to take stronger measures against Armenia,” Grigoryan warned. Last month, Armenia had received several threats from Russia, he said. “Armenia’s goal of integration into the EU is being questioned by Russia.”
Meanwhile, public sentiment has changed dramatically. Polls show clearly increasing pro-EU support and declining support for Russia.
Access to the EU remains a distant goal
However, one thing is clear: joining the EU is still a long way off. Armenia has not yet applied for membership of the bloc, and the accession process could take decades. Nevertheless, the country intends to follow this path towards the EU.
Prime Minister Pashinyan said, “This is a very good and additional incentive for us to revitalize democracy and more generally for institutional reforms, in order to achieve the status of a country meeting EU standards as soon as possible.”
Meanwhile, at Khor Virap Monastery, a key site for Armenian Christianity, about 40 kilometers (27 miles) from Yerevan, the excitement of the capital cannot be felt. Laura Hayrapetyan sits at the monastery walls with her husband Arsen Khostegyan and says she supports the move toward Europe: “For me, for the entire Armenian people, it seems to be a good thing that brings new opportunities.”
“We also want to have good relations with the Russian people so that positive things can come from it,” says her husband. “We have been living together for 100 years, and I hope we can live in harmony with all countries in the world.”
This article was originally published in German.