Joint Declaration following the first Armenia – EU Summit 5 May 2026, Yerevan

 NOTE European Union Brussels, 4 May 2026 (OR. en) 8799/26 COEST 334 

 From: To: General Secretariat of the Council Delegations 

 Subject: EU-Armenia Summit (5 May 2026, Yerevan) 

- Joint Statement EN 8799/26 RELEX.3 

 Joint Declaration following the first Armenia – EU Summit 5 May 2026, Yerevan 

 We, the leaders of the Republic of Armenia (Armenia) and the European Union (EU), held our first Armenia–EU Summit in Yerevan on 5 May 2026 and concluded the following:

1. Today’s Summit marks a historic milestone in deepening EU-Armenia relations. It reflects the significant achievements of recent years and the strategic importance of our partnership, which brings tangible benefits to our citizens and businesses. The EU reaffirms its steadfast commitment to further strengthen its relations with Armenia and to support Armenia’s sovereignty, resilience, and comprehensive reform agenda, based on the respect for democracy, human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, as well as its long-term development, by bringing Armenia and its people closer to the European Union. The EU also supports Armenia’s willingness to intensify the bilateral partnership through sectoral integration and rapprochement with the EU acquis.

2. The EU acknowledges the European aspirations of the Armenian people, rooted in the adoption of the “Law on Launching Armenia’s EU accession process” of March 2025, expressing the country’s intention to move towards the EU. 

3. We reaffirm that Armenia’s future must be determined freely and democratically by its citizens. 

4. We acknowledge Armenia’s commitment to build a deep and sustainable democracy, as set out in the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement and the Strategic Agenda for the EU-Armenia Partnership. These documents provide an ambitious political framework guiding our cooperation in the coming years. In this context, it is essential to highlight the role of civil society in monitoring the implementation of bilateral commitments. 

5. We welcome the 8th European Political Community Summit, successfully held in Yerevan on 4 May 2026. 

6. Armenia and the EU are bound by shared political values and their commitment to international law, the UN Charter, and the rules-based international order. We reiterate the core principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. The deepening of our bilateral relations is an investment in peace, stability, and prosperity in the South Caucasus and beyond. 

7. In this respect, we commend the efforts to further institutionalise peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and to ensure the signing and ratification of the peace treaty. We also commend the outcome of the 8th of August 2025, Washington Summit, and the subsequent steps taken towards the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In addition, the EU also fully supports the normalisation of relations between Armenia and Türkiye, and the inclusive re-opening of all communications in the region based on sovereignty, territorial integrity of the countries of the region, as well as the principles of the inviolability of borders and reciprocity. We commend the EU Mission in Armenia’s contribution to promoting peace and stability in the South Caucasus region. 1

8. On Ukraine, the two sides expressed concern over the ongoing war which continues to cause immense human suffering and carries global consequences. We support all efforts towards the achievement of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, based on the principles of the UN Charter and of international law. The EU reiterated its principled position on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, and reaffirmed its support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. 

9. We discussed the recent developments in the Middle East and its ripple effects around the world. We reiterated our call for de-escalation and restraint, the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and the need for all parties to fully respect international law. Only dialogue and diplomacy can lead to a reduction of tensions and bring peace and stability back to the Middle East, in full respect of the UN Charter and international law. 

10. The EUR 270 million Resilience and Growth Plan continues to advance Armenia’s socio economic reform agenda, strengthen sectoral cooperation, and promote investments in energy, transport, and the private sector. Possible avenues for financial support beyond 2027 may be considered to further support the country’s reform agenda and closer alignment with the EU. 

11. Under the Global Gateway strategy, EU investments in Armenia are expected to reach EUR 2.5 billion. Armenia and the EU are committed to fostering inclusive growth and enhanced connectivity based on mutually beneficial cooperation. 

12. We welcome the EU-Armenia Connectivity Partnership and underline the strategic importance of its three strands – transport, energy and digital – alongside people-to-people initiatives that strengthen mutual understanding, societal resilience, and connections with European networks for ideas, talent, and investment for the further development of the EU-Armenia partnership agenda. In this context and within the framework of the EU’s Cross-Regional Connectivity Agenda, the EU welcomes Armenia’s initiatives aimed at enhancing inclusive regional connectivity based on the principles of sovereignty, jurisdiction, equality, and reciprocity and reaffirms its support to the “Crossroads of Peace” initiative. This shared vision contributes to promoting peace, stability and connectivity in the Black Sea, South Caucasus and Central Asia regions, while strengthening people-to-people links. In this regard, progress on the implementation of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) is acknowledged as a key project contributing to sustainable, secure, and inclusive regional connectivity. 

 13. The call for expressions of interest inviting the EU/EEA companies to invest in Armenia complements the Connectivity Partnership, by mobilising private sector investment, and creating mutually beneficial opportunities, including enhanced market access for EU/EEA companies and supporting sustainable and resilient economic growth in Armenia. 

 14. The EU–Armenia High-Level Dialogue on Connectivity will provide a platform for coordinated collaboration across transport, energy, and digital sectors, reinforcing strategic engagement. 

 15. We welcome the launch of the EU-Armenia High-Level Transport Dialogue, which reaffirms the strategic importance of strengthened cooperation in the transport sector to enhance safe, efficient, and sustainable transport links between the EU and Armenia. We further acknowledge how the extended Trans-European Transport Network can help strengthen Armenia’s connectivity to European markets and foster more integrated and diverse regional transport connections. 2 

 16. The EU welcomes Armenia’s efforts to enhance its energy security, diversification, sustainability and resilience. We recognise the strategic value of regional energy connectivity as a driver of growth, resilience, sustainability and energy security, and the potential of regional flagship initiatives of mutual interest such as the prospects of including Armenia into the Black Sea Submarine cable project. 

 17. In line with the First Global Stocktake concluded at COP28, we reaffirm our determination to uphold the Paris Agreement. The EU encourages continued reforms aligned with EU energy and climate policies, advancing the fight against the triple planetary crisis of biodiversity loss, pollution and climate change. The EU reaffirms its readiness to support Armenia’s energy transition and integration with European energy markets. The EU welcomes Armenia’s intention to join the Global Energy Transition Forum and the Global Electrification Campaign, which demonstrates Armenia’s commitment to advancing the energy transition. The EU recognizes the need to, among others, strengthen Armenia’s electricity network, expand storage capacity, and advance regional integration. 

 18. We reaffirm our commitment to ongoing cooperation on nuclear safety. Armenia welcomes the EU’s support to the development of a roadmap for the decommissioning of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant, in accordance with Armenia’s 2040 Energy Strategy, and pursuant to the shared objectives outlined in the CEPA. 

 19. We will work together, aiming to maximize the benefits from the significant untapped potential of cooperation in the digital field. We will explore technical compatibility of their respective trust services frameworks with a view to advancing towards mutual recognition of e-signatures to further enhance digital cooperation and cross-border transactions. 

 20. The EU welcomes Armenia’s intention to join the Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU), which will foster greater collaboration in research and technology development, exchange of skilled workforce, enhance technological innovation, and contribute to the EU’s leadership in semiconductor technologies. 

 21. We will explore possibilities for cooperation in the area of Artificial Intelligence, aligned with the EU Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act). This cooperation would assist Armenia's integration into the EU Digital Single Market, ensuring the ethical and transparent development of AI technologies. 

 22. The EU welcomes Armenia’s interest to join the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU), which will foster greater scientific collaboration, enhance technological innovation, and contribute to the EU’s leadership in cutting-edge computing technologies. 

 23. We welcome the significant progress in the Visa Liberalisation Dialogue, launched in 2024, which is expected to enhance mobility, foster closer people-to-people contacts and strengthen economic ties between the European Union and Armenia. We underline the importance of the effective implementation of the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan and its benchmarks, and we welcome the effective implementation of the EU-Armenia Visa Facilitation and Readmission Agreements. 3 

 24. We support strengthening cooperation between Armenia and Europol, Eurojust, Frontex and other EU agencies, and within the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT) and are committed to further enhance our cooperation on law enforcement and justice, border management, migration management, including the fight against irregular migration. 

 25. We welcome the significant progress in the negotiation of the working arrangement between Armenia and Frontex with the initialing of a new text by the two negotiators. We commend the finalisation of the negotiations on the working arrangement on the cooperation between the Prosecutor General’s Office of Armenia and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. 

 26. We will seize the momentum to further intensify cooperation to better address shared challenges and strengthen Armenia’s resilience. The EU and Armenia therefore undertake to further develop, deepen and strengthen cooperation and dialogue across the whole range of security and defence topics, making use of existing frameworks and exploring new cooperation avenues, as well as taking into account that security increasingly encompasses a broader range of closely linked dimensions. 

 27. We commend the growing cooperation between the EU and Armenia in enhancing Armenia’s democratic resilience, including against hybrid threats and foreign information manipulation and interference, as well as attempts to undermine trust in democratic institutions. The deployment of the EU’s Hybrid Rapid Response Team has been an important contribution to this bilateral cooperation. 

 28. The establishment of the new EU Partnership Mission in Armenia will further enhance Armenia’s democratic resilience and its ability to manage crises through the provision of advice and support to relevant Armenian institutions. 

 29. We welcome the two rounds of non-lethal assistance provided to Armenia under the European Peace Facility, amounting to EUR 30 million, aimed at enhancing the resilience of Armenia and accelerating the interoperability of its Armed Forces in case of possible future participation in international missions and operations, including those deployed by the EU. 

 30. The EU welcomes Armenia’s interest in strengthening cooperation with the European Security and Defence College (ESDC), with a view to Armenia’s pertinent military and civilian educational institutions becoming associated network partners of the ESDC. 

 31. Within the framework of our security and defence cooperation, we will foster exchanges on cyber security and resilience, multi-stakeholder discussions, preparedness and response to cyber incidents and attacks, strengthening cybersecurity and enhancing cyber defence. 

 32. We welcome the launch of negotiations for the Security of information Agreement on the exchange of classified information and undertake to pursue its timely finalisation. 

 33. We welcome the entry into force of the Framework Participation Agreement for the participation of Armenia in European Union crisis management operations. In this context, we appreciate Armenia’s increased interest in contributing to CSDP missions and operations. We also welcome Armenia's increasing alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy. 4 

 34. We welcome the significant progress in developing and strengthening our cooperation on natural and human-induced disasters, with the signing of an Administrative Arrangement on civil protection cooperation that will facilitate a more efficient exchange of information, expertise and experts. 

 35. We are committed to further step up our close cooperation in preventing and disrupting circumvention of the EU sanctions. We will strengthen joint efforts to monitor, restrict and enforce controls on trade and re-export of dual use goods and sensitive battlefield items. 

 36. We welcome progress in financial and economic integration between Armenia and the EU, including potential steps to facilitate secure, transparent, and efficient payments and financial cooperation in line with European standards. 

 37. The EU remains Armenia’s key trade partner and investor, supporting sustainable growth, job creation, and economic diversification, with the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement playing a central role in strengthening this partnership. We reaffirm our commitment to work together to increase and facilitate the diversification of Armenia’s export structure, including the export of new products to the EU market. 

 38. The EU takes note of Armenia’s ambition to advance alignment on conformity assessment procedures. 

 39. We welcome the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Intellectual Property Rights between the Armenian Intellectual Property Office and the European Union Intellectual Property Office, reflecting a shared commitment to protecting and promoting innovation, fostering a robust legal framework for intellectual property in Armenia. 

 40. The EU welcomes Armenia’s interest to join the EU Customs and Fiscalis Programmes, to enhance cooperation in customs and fiscal matters, aligning with EU practices and legislation. 

 41. We reiterate our strong commitment to advancing reforms in areas such as social policy, education, research and innovation, youth, sport, culture, and health – sectors essential for building a resilient and inclusive society, for example through the international dimension of Erasmus+ as well as Horizon Europe, and Creative Europe. The EU will assist Armenia's intention to participate in the “Creative Europe” programme Media Strand, contributing to the development of the audiovisual sector and enhancing cultural exchange with the EU. We welcome the increased participation of Armenian Youth in EU-programmes and activities, including EU4Youth and look forward to their continued engagement. 

 42. We welcome the alignment of Armenia to the Brussels Statement on principles and values for international cooperation in Research and Innovation. 

 43. The EU welcomes Armenia’s interest in the EU4Health programme (2021–2027). 

 44. We look forward to exploring further steps to advance the Armenia-EU partnership for the benefit of our people and businesses.