Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan hosted the President of the European Council António Costa and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen at the presidential residence within the framework of the inaugural Armenia-EU summit.

First, an official welcoming ceremony took place, during which the anthems of the EU and Armenia were played, and a military march was held.

Next, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a private meeting with António Costa and Ursula von der Leyen.

After the private meeting, an expanded meeting was held.

Welcoming the European Union delegation, Nikol Pashinyan noted: “It is a great honor for me to welcome you to Yerevan within the framework of the inaugural Armenia-EU summit. Today, with another step, we are raising the relations between Armenia and the European Union to a qualitatively new level, and for the first time in history, the Republic of Armenia and the European Union are holding a bilateral summit."

According to the Prime Minister, a weighty agenda has already been formed in Armenia-EU relations, which will need to be discussed at the level of summits in the near future, with quite detailed and extensive work, which has been done so far. “Of course, we have already had the opportunity to discuss a fairly wide range of issues in a narrow format, and I am pleased to note that we have common positions and understanding on many issues on our agenda. This means that there is an appropriate atmosphere for us to focus on the implementation and realization of the agenda,” the Prime Minister said.

Nikol Pashinyan expressed gratitude for the great support provided by the European Union during this period, in particular in the field of democratic and institutional reforms. “I have repeatedly had the opportunity to say that democracy for us is not a random occurrence of circumstances, but a strategy that is consciously adopted as the decision of the people of the Republic of Armenia,” the Prime Minister emphasized.

According to Prime Minister Pashinyan, all the reforms that could have been implemented based only on political will have been implemented. “To ensure the further progress of reforms, a greater institutional, legislative and expert investment is necessary. And in this regard, of course, our cooperation with the European Union is very important, and I can already thank our partners for supporting us in this matter, starting with issues related to guarantees of the independence of the judiciary, continuing with the issue of confronting various, including hybrid challenges, which is of course also an issue on our agenda.”

The Prime Minister added that the spread of disinformation and hate speech on social networks and sometimes in the press is also a problem for many European Union countries. "We are facing this problem today, and of course, we hope that here too the European Union will support us through exchange of experience or by the tools that have already been introduced in the European Union, we expect greater access to the content of these tools, in order to apply them in the Republic of Armenia."

António Costa, on behalf of the European Union, expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality and noted: “Yesterday we experienced a very historic moment, holding the first ever European Political Community Summit. Today, a second important historic event is taking place, the first summit between the European Union and Armenia. This is a clear signal of how the European Union wants to build relations with Armenia. Armenia is entering a new period of peace, of consolidation of a democratic regime, and this really, certainly creates a good environment for the development of our bilateral relations.”

The President of the European Council recalled that the EU-Armenia Strategic Partnership Agenda was adopted in December last year. “Since that day, we have been strengthening and strengthening our relations. We also work closely in the areas of security and defence within the framework of the European Peace Facility.”

António Costa noted that the European Union Partnership Mission, established last April, aims to strengthen Armenia’s democratic resilience and is a tangible result of the shared commitment to jointly confronting challenges. “It is important for us to protect the freedom of the Armenian people to choose their own destiny. You can count on us to walk this path together and to tread the path of our common destiny together. Armenia plays a cornerstone role in our relations with the South Caucasus and also connects Europe through the South Caucasus to the Caspian Sea and Central Asia. This is the history of our regions and this is also the future of our regions,” said the President of the European Council.

António Costa also expressed hope that, based on the results of the summit, a strategic partnership can be developed, a common future in the conditions of peace, for the sake of the Armenian people and the prosperity of Europe.

Ursula von der Leyen also thanked Nikol Pashinyan for hosting the first summit in Armenia. “There has always been a special bond between Armenia and Europe, our ties go back to myths and ancient civilizations. But it is not only our history and culture that unites us, not only our ancient ties, but also the opportunities that still lie ahead of us, they unite us. And indeed, Armenia and the European Union are closer than ever. We are making good progress towards visa-free travel between Europe and Armenia, ensuring investment flows of 2.5 billion euros are already foreseen in our investment program under the name “Global Gateways”, said the President of the European Commission.

According to Ursula von der Leyen, the Armenia-EU summit will contribute to raising cooperation to a new level. "Armenia indeed, as you said, provides the shortest route to Central Asia and the Caspian Sea with Europe. Previously, this route was closed due to war and geopolitical considerations, now you are changing that, thanks to your courageous choice for the sake of peace and greater integration into European networks. Through this, Armenia can become a regional center," said the President of the European Commission, adding that Europe is ready to assist in this matter.

Summing up her speech, Ursula von der Leyen noted: “Thank you for your wonderful hospitality. Long live our partnership.”

Based on the results of the summit, a joint declaration was adopted between Armenia and the EU.

Based on the results of the summit, a number of documents were also signed. In particular, a document on the Armenia-EU Connectivity Partnership was signed. The document was signed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Vahan Kostanyan and Director for Neighbourhood East and Türkiye at Directorate-General for Enlargement and the Eastern Neighbourhood Adrienn Király. In order to support the call for interest in investing in Armenia for the Connectivity Partnership, the European Union has submitted 6 letters of intent to key Armenian companies and foundations.

Next, a working arrangement on operational cooperation in the field of border management was initialed between the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia and the EU Border and Coast Guard Agency. The document was signed by the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, Arpine Sargsyan, and the Executive Director of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, Hans Leijtens.

Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Vassilis Maragos, handed over the European Commission’s progress report on the implementation of the Visa Liberalization Action Plan to Arpine Sargsyan, the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, Armenia’s Chief Negotiator for Visa Liberalization with the EU. It also presents recommendations on achieving full visa liberalization between Armenia and the EU, provided that all conditions are met.

Within the framework of the summit, an agreement was reached to publish a call for expressions of interest from companies registered in the EU/EEA/Armenia to invest in Armenia.