Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Nacho Sánchez, who will coordinate Armenia-related activities within the European Parliament’s Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group (DEG), stated that Armenia has demonstrated political will to move closer to the European Union, Armenpress reports.
“The group was created to promote democracy. Every year, we choose countries where we plan to work. Armenia was selected as a priority country. My colleagues tasked me with leading the DEG’s work toward Armenia, meaning I represent this region in Parliament,” Sánchez said.
He noted that cooperation focuses on the Armenian National Assembly through mediation, dialogue, and support for young leaders and female MPs, emphasizing parliamentary, not evaluative, engagement.
Discussing cultural heritage destruction in Nagorno-Karabakh under Azerbaijani control, Sánchez stressed that the European Parliament has repeatedly condemned such acts. “It’s not about stones, it’s about identity. That’s why we treat the issue with sensitivity, as we have with Armenian heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh and parts of Turkey,” he said.
Regarding Armenian prisoners of war held in Baku, Sánchez said the issue deeply concerns the European Parliament. “It’s not directly part of DEG’s agenda, but it worries the entire Parliament. We know President Trump has made a commitment to address this issue. Armenia, having acted constructively, sometimes at political cost, is fully entitled to demand that mediator Trump fulfill his promises concerning the release of Armenian leaders and POWs from Nagorno-Karabakh.”
On displaced Armenians, Sánchez underlined that humanitarian support must remain a priority. “Regardless of political or legal developments, their protection is a humanitarian obligation—and that responsibility also lies with Azerbaijan.”
Sánchez noted that Armenia’s move toward the EU is especially meaningful after the suspension of U.S. democracy programs under the Trump administration. “We cannot fully replace U.S. investment, but we are ready to deepen cooperation because Armenia shows clear political will to get closer to the EU. We stand ready to assist, from dialogue facilitation to strengthening parliamentary work through cooperation with the European Parliament and member state legislatures.”
Discussing the upcoming Euronest Parliamentary Assembly session in Yerevan, Sánchez described Armenia as an “island of relative stability” in a turbulent region. “Belarus is absent, Ukraine is at war, Moldova is in elections, Georgia is drifting from the European path, and Azerbaijan faces democracy challenges. Armenia’s stability makes it the right place to host this year’s session,” he said.
According to him, the meeting will help reaffirm the shared European aspirations of participating states and assess their political will to move closer to Europe.
In March 2025, Armenia’s National Assembly approved legislation to launch the EU accession process, though the EU has not yet issued an official invitation. Russia, meanwhile, has warned that Armenia “cannot sit on two chairs” and must choose between the EAEU and the EU.
