The European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy (EAFJD) acknowledges the historic significance of the first-ever EU-Armenia Summit held in Yerevan. The presence of European Council President António Costa and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen signals a welcome willingness by European leadership to engage directly with Armenian society. However, the EAFJD emphasizes that diplomatic presence must now translate into concrete actions that safeguard Armenia’s sovereignty and the rights of its people.
While the summit celebrated a “new chapter,” we remind European leaders that the foundation of this relationship, the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was built on the condition of rigorous judicial reforms, institutional resilience, and the strengthening of democratic values. In order for “Armenia’s future [to] be determined freely and democratically by its citizens”, comprehensive changes need to be applied to ensure electoral integrity, opposition rights, media independence and protection from ALL foreign interference during the electoral process, a concept that was unfortunately not enforced by some European leaders during this very Summit.
The Joint Declaration highlights three primary avenues of cooperation: Energy, Connectivity, and Digital Infrastructure. While these economic pillars can be vital for long-term growth if applied strategically in tandem with internal reforms, the EAFJD questions how these technical projects will bolster Armenia’s immediate security if they are not paired with a firm stance against regional aggression.
Crucially, the EAFJD expresses profound concern and disappointment regarding the total omission of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) from the official summit discussions. Despite the European Parliament’s clear mandate (Resolution of April 30, 2026), which explicitly:
1.Condemns the ethnic cleansing of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh;
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2.Demands the immediate release of Armenian hostages and prisoners of war held in Baku;
3.Calls for the protection and international monitoring of Armenian cultural and religious heritage currently being destroyed by Azerbaijan;
…the Summit’s Joint Declaration remained silent on these existential issues. This omission is a stark contradiction to the European Parliament’s call for justice and the right of return for the displaced people of Artsakh under international guarantees.
The EAFJD agrees with the European Parliament that “democratic resilience” cannot exist in a vacuum. If the EU is to be a true strategic partner, it must act on its own democratic mandates. We call on the European Commission to move beyond infrastructure planning and take concrete steps to hold Azerbaijan accountable for its crimes. Strategic connectivity must not come at the cost of justice for the 150,000 Armenians ethnically cleansed from their ancestral homes.
The European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy