Armenia looks toward Europe with key meetings this week

Key Points:

• Armenia is hosting its first bilateral summit with the European Union, marking a significant step in its ambition to join the EU and reduce its reliance on Russia amid strained relations following the 2023 Karabakh conflict.
• The EU-Armenia summit resulted in a connectivity partnership aimed at enhancing transportation, energy, and digital ties, with EU investments expected to reach €2.5 billion under the global gateway infrastructure program.
• Armenia has taken symbolic steps distancing itself from Russia, including joining the International Criminal Court and freezing participation in the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization, while maintaining membership in the Eurasian Economic Union.
• The summit highlights Armenia's strategic pivot towards the West, though experts note that Armenia is also expanding diplomatic relations with Asian countries, reflecting a nuanced foreign policy beyond a simple Russia-West dichotomy.
• Tensions remain high between Azerbaijan and the EU, with Azerbaijan protesting European Parliament resolutions on Armenian prisoners of war and suspending cooperation with the European Parliament, coinciding with protests during the European Political Community summit in Yerevan.