Armenia and EU deepen ties at first-ever summit in Yerevan

Armenia and the European Union have held their first-ever summit in Yerevan, where leaders signed a six-page declaration and set out plans for closer cooperation.

The meeting was presented by both sides as a significant step in relations.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan hosted European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for the talks on Tuesday.

The declaration described the summit as a "historic milestone" and outlined cooperation in solar energy, transport links, artificial intelligence and digital sectors.

The EU said investment in Armenia under its Global Gateway strategy is expected to reach €2.5bn.

Von der Leyen also pledged support for Pashinyan in countering Russian disinformation ahead of Armenia's elections in June, while Costa praised Armenia's democratic reforms.

The summit matters because it signals a further shift in Armenia's foreign policy and its effort to move closer to the bloc.

Pashinyan said legal and industrial alignment with the EU would help bring the country nearer to possible future membership.

The meeting also comes amid wider momentum on EU enlargement, with several countries seeking to advance their own accession paths.

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