French President Emmanuel Macron used a state visit to Yerevan to support Armenia’s turn toward Europe and its place at the heart of the European Political Community, a forum that includes countries outside the European Union. The visit came in the same period as the first Armenia–EU summit and the European Political Community meeting hosted in Yerevan on May 4, which brought together more than 40 heads of state and government, including Canada’s Mark Carney.
Macron also questioned reliance on Russian protection, citing the experience of the 2020 war. An essay by Berge Jololian, an Armenian-American writer based in Yerevan and Watertown, Massachusetts, argues that international law remains essential to Armenia but needs political backing, and that Yerevan needs partners willing to act alongside the capacity to defend itself.
The same account lists cooperation with France, India, the United States, Poland and Britain as widening Armenian access to military education, training and technical expertise. It says closer European ties can strengthen Armenia’s economy, institutions and defence, while relations with Georgia and Iran remain essential.
Jololian writes that efforts to improve relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan could reduce the danger of conflict if they rest on reciprocity, respect for Armenia’s sovereignty and credible ways to address violations. He presents a proposed U.S.-backed transport route, known as TRIPP, as intended to cross Armenia between Azerbaijan’s main territory and Nakhchivan while affirming Armenian sovereignty and jurisdiction, including borders and customs. Its value, he says, depends on implementation.