The European Union and Armenia have elevated their partnership to a strategic level after Brussels unveiled a €15 million security package and highlighted a €500 million energy investment aimed at strengthening Armenia’s resilience and regional connectivity. The announcements came during the sixth EU–Armenia Partnership Council meeting, where Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, and EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Marta Kos endorsed the new Strategic Partnership Agenda.
The agenda replaces the 2017 Partnership Priorities and builds on the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA), marking a significant expansion of political, economic, and sectoral cooperation as Armenia deepens its European orientation. EU officials said the agenda will serve as a roadmap for the next decade, outlining short-term priorities for three to four years and medium-term goals extending up to seven years.
The €15 million security package includes support for demining, border management, confidence-building measures, and efforts to counter foreign interference and disinformation ahead of Armenia’s 2026 parliamentary elections. Kallas said the funding is designed to bolster Armenia’s defences against hybrid threats, noting that the EU has detected sustained disinformation activity originating from “Russia and its proxies.”
The new agenda broadens cooperation on democracy, rule of law reforms, human rights, economic development, digital transformation, energy security, trade diversification, and joint work in defence and crisis management. EU officials reiterated strong backing for Armenia’s reform programme, including technical and financial assistance under the Resilience and Growth Plan. Support for displaced Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) and progress on visa liberalisation remain key components.
Regional connectivity stands as the central pillar of the strategic framework. The agenda emphasises strengthening transport, communications, and energy links between Armenia, its neighbours, and the EU. Brussels highlighted the role of Global Gateway investments and Armenia’s “Crossroads of Peace” initiative in fostering regional stability, economic integration, and new mobility corridors.
A flagship element of this pillar is the EU’s €500 million investment in Armenia's energy infrastructure through the Caucasus Transmission Network Project, previously signed in Tashkent and announced in Brussels by Commissioner Kos. The project aims to reduce Armenia’s dependency on Russian energy by linking the Armenian electricity grid with Georgia’s and expanding work on future connections with Turkey. Kos described the initiative as a “major step” toward energy diversification and long-term resilience, noting Europe’s own experience dramatically reducing dependence on Russian coal, oil, and gas since 2022.
Kos also confirmed ongoing cooperation with the German Development Bank KfW and said she had asked Armenia’s Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, Gnel Sanosyan, to present a list of priority connectivity projects for EU consideration. The initiative aims to allow flexible cross-border energy exchange across the South Caucasus, benefiting Armenia, Georgia, and potentially wider regional markets.
Mirzoyan welcomed the adoption of the strategic agenda, calling it the beginning of “a new and more ambitious stage” in EU–Armenia relations, aligned with Armenia’s steps toward eventual EU membership. Kos added that discussions are under way to create a four-party working group—Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey and the EU—to develop new regional connectivity architecture.
The EU Delegation in Yerevan said the agenda’s clear priorities and monitoring mechanisms will guide long-term cooperation, reaffirming the European Union’s readiness to work closely with Armenia, civil society, and international partners to advance shared democratic values and deliver tangible benefits for citizens.
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