European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the EU’s widespread support for Armenia during her visit to Yerevan on Thursday as part of a strategic tour of the South Caucasus, unveiling a series of rare economic measures to help the country withstand growing Russian pressure stemming from its cautious pro-West pivot.
Hailing Armenia’s “closer partnership with Europe” and that “the people of Armenia chose democracy (…) and to partner with the European Union,” von der Leyen unveiled major new financial support packages, removal of trade tariffs on most Armenian exports to the EU and pledged to help with visa liberalisation among other measures in response to what she called Russia’s “economic coercion” of the country.
Following her visit to Azerbaijan on Wednesday, von der Leyen underlined what she said was a “history-making moment” of the Armenian-Azerbaijan peace process and the new momentum for the EU’s strategic engagement with the two former rivals, stating that “while Armenia is coming closer to the EU, the South Caucasus is coming closer together.”
In a clear political message, the Commission president underscored that by voting for Pashinyan in the recent elections, “the people of Armenia spoke clearly. They chose democracy. The rule of law."
