ARMENPRESS: EU ministers discuss strengthening Armenia’s resilience and economic diversification

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas has said that foreign ministers of EU member states discussed how to further strengthen Armenia’s resilience and economic diversification.

“Last week’s elections delivered a clear message: the Armenian people voted for peace, sovereignty, and closer ties with Europe. Russia’s heavy pressure and economic coercion failed to sway the vote. Ministers discussed how we can further strengthen Armenia’s resilience and economic diversification,” the EU top diplomat said in a statement on social media, detailing the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) meeting in Luxembourg.

The EU ministers had an informal exchange over breakfast with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan ahead of the FAC meeting.

Ahead of the parliamentary elections held on June 7, Russia imposed restrictions and bans on the import of numerous Armenian goods, which remain in effect today. The move prompted exporters to look for new markets, including in the EU. The EU has since announced support measures. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, following a phone call with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, announced immediate financial assistance of more than €50 million, along with other support measures to facilitate trade, including measures to expand export opportunities for Armenian goods.

Russia has cited phytosanitary violations as the reason for the ban, which has been widely viewed by the EU as “economic coercion.”

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party won a landslide victory and will have 64 seats in parliament, while the opposition Strong Armenia bloc and the Armenia bloc will have 29 and 12 seats, respectively.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has notably not congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan on his party’s re-election, despite many world leaders having extended their felicitations. The Kremlin earlier said that Moscow was awaiting the final confirmation of the election results, which were released on June 14.

Published by Armenpress, original at https://armenpress.am/en/article/1253177