The visit to Armenia by Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, should be seen as a sign of Brussels’s commitment to support Yerevan, said Swiss lawmaker Stefan Müller-Altermatt.
“Kaja Kallas’s visit should be interpreted as a signal of commitment. It signifies the European Union’s pledge to support Armenia as a partner in the Caucasus. This has not always been the case. Just a few years ago, under pressure to secure its energy supply, the EU was actively courting Baku,” Müller-Altermatt stated, as quoted by Armenpress.
At the same time, the Swiss legislator noted that despite the deepening cooperation with the EU, Armenia's economic ties with the Russian Federation remain vital.
“Armenia has received this signal from the EU, which is welcome within the community of Western values. However, in the medium and long term, relations with Russia will be more important economically. This will undoubtedly lead to many discussions about Armenia-EU relations. Nevertheless, even the EU cannot ignore geography and must acknowledge that Armenia needs these close economic ties with Russia,” Müller-Altermatt declared.
On June 29-30, Kaja Kallas, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, visited Armenia. During the visit, it was announced that negotiations on a new partnership agenda between Armenia and the EU had concluded.
