Ursula von der Leyen says Armenia has the potential to become a hub for new trade routes, highlighting closer ties between Yerevan and the European Union.
Speaking at the first Armenia-EU summit in Yerevan, von der Leyen said the shortest route connecting Europe to Central Asia and the Caspian Sea passes through Armenia, though it has been disrupted by conflict.
“Now you are changing this, thanks to a courageous choice in favor of peace and greater integration into European networks. As a result, Armenia can become a regional hub for new trade routes,” she said, Armenpress reports.
Von der Leyen added that the EU is ready to deepen cooperation with Armenia in energy and digital transformation, stressing that relations between the two sides are now closer than ever.
She also pointed to progress in visa liberalization talks and noted that €2.5 billion has already been allocated for investments in Armenia under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy.
Highlighting ongoing conflicts across the wider region, von der Leyen said the South Caucasus presents an opportunity to demonstrate how peace and economic cooperation can bring stability and growth.
