Core Group backs Armenia amid Russian pressure and export restrictions
Leaders and representatives of Estonia, France, Latvia, Lithuania, the United Kingdom and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy met Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Dublin on the margins of the European Political Community summit. Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission joined the joint statement.
More from 360LiveNews Opinion
The group reiterated support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, stability, independence and resilience of the Republic of Armenia. It said that five months ago parliamentary elections in Armenia allowed the Armenian people to make a clear choice in favour of peace, democracy and closer ties with Europe, despite what it called multi-faceted interference from Russia.
The statement said Russia's direct political and economic pressure on Armenia has been increasing since then. It said Russia has imposed unprecedented restrictions on Armenian exports and is now threatening to use energy supplies as a means of intimidation.
The group said it is responding by helping Armenia protect its sovereignty and choose its own destiny freely, including support for diversification of economic partnerships in trade and energy. The statement also said the European Union has decided to suspend duties on 80% of Armenian exports to the EU.
More from 360LiveNews Opinion
It added support for the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, citing progress since the Washington meeting in August 2025, and backed the normalisation process between Armenia and Türkiye.
