On Thursday, October 2, 2025, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan participated in a series of high-level bilateral meetings during the European Political Community Summit in Copenhagen, Denmark. These discussions involved key international figures, including European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. The meetings highlighted Armenia’s proactive approach to strengthening its international partnerships, advancing domestic reforms, and promoting regional stability in the volatile South Caucasus region. Each conversation addressed critical aspects of Armenia’s foreign and domestic policy, reflecting the country’s efforts to navigate a complex geopolitical landscape while fostering peace and cooperation.
Deepening Armenia’s Partnership with the European Union
Pashinyan’s meeting with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola focused on expanding Armenia’s partnership with the European Union (EU), a relationship that has become increasingly vital for Yerevan’s political and economic aspirations. Since assuming office in 2018 following the Velvet Revolution, Pashinyan has prioritized democratic reforms to strengthen governance, enhance the rule of law, and align Armenia more closely with European standards. These reforms have included efforts to combat corruption, improve judicial independence, and promote human rights, all of which resonate with the EU’s values and priorities.
The discussion with Metsola underscored the importance of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA), signed between Armenia and the EU in 2017. CEPA has provided a framework for deepening political dialogue, economic integration, and sectoral cooperation, including in areas such as trade, energy, and education. The EU has supported Armenia’s reform agenda through financial assistance, technical expertise, and capacity-building programs, helping the country modernize its institutions and infrastructure. By engaging with Metsola, Pashinyan signaled Armenia’s commitment to further integrating with European structures, potentially paving the way for enhanced cooperation in the future.
A significant portion of the conversation focused on the regional peace agenda, a pressing issue given Armenia’s history of conflict with neighboring Azerbaijan, particularly over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Pashinyan highlighted the outcomes of the Washington Peace Summit, a U.S.-led initiative aimed at fostering dialogue and de-escalation in conflict-affected regions. The summit, initiated by former U.S. President Donald Trump, appears to have produced agreements that both Armenia and Azerbaijan are working to implement. Pashinyan’s reference to the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) project, shared via a post on the U.S.-based social media platform X, suggests that this initiative holds strategic importance for Armenia’s peace efforts. While details about TRIPP remain limited, it likely involves diplomatic and economic measures to promote stability and cooperation in the South Caucasus. By discussing TRIPP with Metsola, Pashinyan emphasized Armenia’s alignment with international efforts to achieve lasting peace, supported by both the EU and the United States.
Reaffirming the Strategic Partnership with France
Pashinyan’s meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron centered on reinforcing the deep and multifaceted partnership between Armenia and France. The two countries share historical, cultural, and political ties, strengthened by France’s role as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, which has mediated the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict alongside Russia and the United States. The discussions in Copenhagen provided an opportunity to reaffirm the strategic importance of this relationship and address recent regional developments.
Pashinyan expressed gratitude for France’s “steadfast support,” a nod to Paris’s consistent backing of Armenia in international forums. France has been a vocal advocate for Armenia, particularly following the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war, which resulted in significant territorial losses for Armenia and heightened regional tensions. France has provided humanitarian aid, supported efforts to protect Armenian cultural heritage in disputed territories, and called for diplomatic solutions to ongoing conflicts. The conversation with Macron likely covered these issues, as well as broader regional dynamics, including the delicate balance of power in the South Caucasus and the influence of external actors such as Russia and Turkey.
The reaffirmation of the Armenia-France strategic partnership underscores the importance of bilateral cooperation in areas such as defense, trade, and cultural exchange. France is home to a significant Armenian diaspora, which has further strengthened ties between the two nations. By engaging with Macron, Pashinyan sought to solidify France’s role as a key ally in Armenia’s efforts to navigate its challenging geopolitical environment.
Committing to Peace with Azerbaijan
Perhaps the most significant of Pashinyan’s meetings was with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, a rare and critical encounter given the longstanding tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to implementing agreements reached at the Washington Peace Summit, according to a statement from the Armenian prime minister’s office. This meeting represents a continuation of diplomatic efforts to stabilize relations between the two countries, which have been strained by decades of conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.
The Washington Peace Summit, initiated by former U.S. President Donald Trump, appears to have provided a platform for Armenia and Azerbaijan to negotiate confidence-building measures and explore pathways to peace. While the specifics of the agreements remain undisclosed, they likely include commitments to border delimitation, prisoner exchanges, and humanitarian initiatives. The fact that both leaders reiterated their dedication to these agreements suggests a cautious but tangible step toward de-escalation.
The meeting between Pashinyan and Aliyev is particularly noteworthy given the history of animosity between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war, which ended with a Russian-brokered ceasefire, left unresolved issues that continue to fuel tensions. Both countries have faced domestic and international pressure to pursue dialogue and avoid further escalation. By meeting on the sidelines of the European Political Community Summit, Pashinyan and Aliyev demonstrated a willingness to engage in diplomacy under the auspices of international frameworks, with the EU and the United States playing facilitating roles.
Broader Implications for Armenia’s Foreign Policy
Pashinyan’s engagements in Copenhagen reflect Armenia’s broader foreign policy strategy, which seeks to balance relations with multiple global powers while advancing its national interests. The meetings with Metsola, Macron, and Aliyev highlight Armenia’s efforts to strengthen ties with the EU and France, deepen its integration into Western institutions, and pursue peace with Azerbaijan. These objectives are interconnected, as regional stability is essential for attracting foreign investment, fostering economic growth, and implementing domestic reforms.
The discussions also underscore the importance of international mediation in resolving the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. The involvement of the EU, France, and the United States through initiatives like the Washington Peace Summit and TRIPP demonstrates the global community’s interest in stabilizing the South Caucasus. For Armenia, these engagements provide an opportunity to garner support for its security and development priorities while navigating the influence of regional powers like Russia and Turkey.
In conclusion, Pashinyan’s meetings at the European Political Community Summit mark a significant moment in Armenia’s diplomatic outreach. By engaging with Metsola, Macron, and Aliyev, Pashinyan advanced Armenia’s agenda of democratic reform, regional peace, and international cooperation. These discussions reflect Armenia’s determination to overcome its geopolitical challenges and build a more stable and prosperous future, both within the South Caucasus and on the global stage.
