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The first high-level EU-Armenia Political and Security Dialogue took place on 26 January 2023 in Yerevan, co-chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Armenia Vahe Gevorgyan and Deputy Secretary General/Political Director of the European External Action Service Enrique Mora.

The one-day meeting reflected the interest of both sides to take forward political dialogue and cooperation in the area of foreign and security policy, as a further important step in EU-Armenia relations.

The parties reviewed key security issues for the EU, Armenia and the wider region, in particular challenges to European security, as well as issues related to the normalisation of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, including the growing humanitarian concerns related to the obstruction of free movement in the Lachin corridor.

"Armenia is pleased to host the 1st Armenia-EU Political and Security Dialogue which is an important framework for discussing a wide range of issues related to international and regional security. Armenia looks forward to strong cooperation with the EU Mission in Armenia in monitoring the international borders of Armenia. Armenia values all mediation and facilitation activities aimed at building peace and security, which is essential to ensure the territorial integrity of Armenia, the rights and security of Armenian population in Nagorno-Karabakh" said Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Armenia Vahe Gevorgyan.

"The EU is making significant efforts at the highest level to contribute to comprehensive normalisation of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. We have just established a civilian EU Mission in Armenia, which aims to contribute to increased stability on the ground, human security and confidence-building. The first ever EU-Armenia Political and Security Dialogue launched today demonstrates our mutual interest in enhancing cooperation on foreign and security policy issues, and readiness to work together for the benefit of peace, security and stability, especially in the current challenging international context marked by the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine," said EEAS Deputy Secretary-General Enrique Mora.

The meeting confirmed the commitment of the EU and Armenia to work towards a South Caucasus that is secure, stable, peaceful and prosperous for the benefit of all people living in the region. In this regard, the parties discussed the upcoming deployment of the civilian CSDP mission established by the EU Foreign Affairs Council earlier this week. Through its activities and reports to the EU leadership, the EUMA will also contribute to efforts undertaken in the framework led by the President of the European Council Charles Michel.

In the comprehensive exchange of views, the participants in the Dialogue also discussed the situation in the wider region, including the process of normalisation of relations between Armenia and Türkiye, as well as issues relating to hybrid threats and other security-related matters.

Meetings of the EU-Armenia Political and Security Dialogue will be held regularly, in principle on a yearly basis.

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EP Plenary: Humanitarian consequences of the blockade in Nagorno-Karabakh
18.01.2023 Strasbourg EEAS Press Team
Speech delivered by Commissioner for Transport, Adina VAlean, on behalf of High-Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell
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President, Honourable Members of the European Parliament,

The European Union has been closely following developments around the Lachin corridor since the beginning of December 2022.

In a statement issued on 13 December, the European Union called on the Azerbaijani authorities to ensure freedom and security of movement along the corridor, in line with commitments deriving from the trilateral statement of 9 November 2020.

Restrictions to such freedom of movement are causing significant distress among the local population. The European Union is increasingly alarmed about the negative humanitarian impact resulting from the lack of food, medicine and other essential goods and medical services, in addition to regular disruptions to energy supplies and telecommunications.

The European Union's humanitarian funding for 2022 amounts to EUR 3.6 million that has been entirely given to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), being the only partner on the ground able to access Nagorno-Karabakh.

The programme focuses on two areas [of] intervention: economic security, which includes programmes to provide conflict-affected people with material and financial support to help them meet their basic needs; [and] second, actions against weapon contamination, with programmes to ensure conflict-affected people are aware of the dangers posed by mines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) and how to safely behave around these.

The current situation is not sustainable and creates tensions that run contrary to much-needed confidence-building efforts. The European Union reiterates that other concerns can and should be addressed through dialogue and consultations with the parties involved. It calls for a return to negotiations and for the mounting pressure on the civilian population to cease without further delay.

The European Union stands ready to contribute to all efforts to build confidence and to address concerns through facilitation and dialogue.

Thank you.

Resilient Syunik Team Europe Initiative launched
18.01.2023 Press and information team of the Delegation to Armenia
On 18 January, Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Andrea Wiktorin, together with Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Mher Grigoryan, Ambassador of Sweden to Armenia Patrik Svensson, Ambassador of France to Armenia Anne Louyot, Ambassador of Germany to Armenia Viktor Richter, Ambassador of Poland to Armenia Pawel Cieplak, Ambassador of Switzerland to Armenia Lukas Rosenkranz, Head of Austrian Coordination Office in Yerevan Klaus Kapper, Head of the European Investment Bank Regional Representation for the South Caucasus Maciej Czura, Governor of Syunik region Robert Ghukasyan, Head of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus & Eastern Partnership Coordination Unit at European Commission Directorate General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations David Cullen, launched the Resilient Syunik Team Europe Initiative.

The Resilient Syunik Team Europe initiative is the joint undertaking of the European Union, the European Investment Bank and EU Member States Austria, France, Germany, Poland and Sweden, with Switzerland also joining as an external partner.

"The European Union is committed to working together with the Armenian Government for the development of the regions that are in most need for support. We are pleased to announce that EU Member States Austria, France, Germany, Poland and Sweden, as well as Switzerland and the European Investment Bank have come together to join efforts in order to leverage a greater transformational impact for the benefits of the southern Syunik region of Armenia,'' emphasised in her speech Ambassador Wiktorin.

The Resilient Syunik TEI is aligned with the regional development priorities of the Government of Armenia, as well as the priorities outlined within the Flagship Initiative on Building Resilience in the Southern Regions of Armenia under EU's Economic and Investment Plan. The main objective of this initiative is to contribute to the sustainable socioeconomic and institutional development of the Syunik region. The initiative in particular aims to contribute to

improved business environment for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and enhanced private sector competitiveness,
improved access to high quality, people-centric public services,
prioritization of green regional development and increased protection, sustainable use and restoration of biodiversity.
"I would like to thank the European Union and the EU member states for all the programs and efforts implemented particularly in Syunik in this difficult period full of challenges for Armenia. Syunik is really vital for our country, so any project aimed at sustainable development of the region is in the centre of special attention of the Government. Moreover, the current geopolitical developments further emphasize the strategic role of Syunik, including on the way to building sustainable peace in the region," said Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan in his speech.

The initiative has an approximate five-year budget of initially euros51 million. It is a flexible mechanism, which can be further expanded and is open for EU Member States to join with new initiatives to promote the development of the Syunik region.

"Team Europe approach is about sending a strong joint EU message about meaningful partnerships and solidarity to build back better in a green, just, sustainable and inclusive way while addressing human development needs. The Team Europe Initiative together with EU's new Global Gateway initiative and the Economic and Investment Plan represent our long-term response to a changing geopolitical landscape that increasingly requires a collective action to the current challenges'', reiterated David Cullen, Head of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus & Eastern Partnership Coordination Unit, DG NEAR.

The launch event was concluded with signature of two contracts for projects to be implemented under the Resilient Syunik Team Europe Initiative.

The "R2D Syunik: Recovery, Resilience, Development for Syunik'' project is co-funded by the European Union and the Austrian Development Cooperation and implemented by the Austrian Development Agency. The EUR 11 mln project aims to enhance competitiveness of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and to support rehabilitation of sustainable small-scale community infrastructure in Syunik. Implementation of the 60 months long project starts in January 2023.

The "Partnerships for Syunik. Enhanced Community-based Social Services'' project is co-funded by the European Union and implemented by People in Need, Caritas Armenia and Winnet Armenia. The EUR 1.6 mln project aims to contribute to delivery of financially sustainable community-based social services in Syunik through effective cooperation of civil society and local authorities. Implementation of the 36 months long project starts in February 2023.

"We have great appreciation for the support extended to Syunik by all the countries and organisations participating in the Team Europe Initiative who visited Syunik during the last year and expressed their willingness to invest in development of the Syunik region. Such large-scale projects and investments by our international partners in particular in the difficult and challenging times for Syunik, send a signal of hope and optimism for the local population,'' emphasised Governor of Syunik Robert Ghukasyan.