- Greece has expressed its intention to support Armenia’s alliance shift towards the West.
- Armenia, which has strong ties to Russia, faces challenges such as the recent border conflict with Azerbaijan.
- The country participated in joint military exercises with the United States and worked on reforms aimed at strengthening ties with the EU.
NATO member Greece said on Tuesday it wants to help traditional ally Armenia shift its alliance to the West, saying improved relations with the European Union would promote stability in the troubled Caucasus region. insisted.
Armenia, which has close military and commercial ties with Russia, has been shaken by border disputes with neighboring Azerbaijan in recent years. Last year, more than 100,000 Armenians fled to Armenia from attacks by Azerbaijani forces in Azerbaijan’s breakaway Karabakh region.
Armenia, which angered Moscow, last year pledged to hold joint military exercises with the United States and accelerate reforms to strengthen ties with the European Union.
Greece agrees to lead European Union naval mission in Red Sea
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitztoakis told visiting Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian on Tuesday that he hoped his government would support the process.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (right) and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan speak during a meeting at the Maximos Villa in Athens, Greece, on February 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Thanasis Stavrakis)
“We fully support Armenia’s Western orientation,” Mitsotakis said. “As a member of the European Union and NATO, it is natural that our country is ready to contribute with its know-how and experience to the construction of this new liberal democracy.”
Greek prime minister defends rule of law despite growing criticism from human rights groups
Mr. Pashinyan thanked Mr. Mitsotakis for his government’s support in shaping the new EU-Armenia partnership negotiations agreed earlier this month, which outline the rule of law reforms and EU-backed investment programs planned for Armenia. He expressed his gratitude.
“The cooperation[with the EU]is already bearing fruit, and I am sure that these results will become more visible in the near future,” Pashinyan told reporters.
