The “HayaQve” National Civil Union of Armenia has sent an official letter of petition to the European Union (EU) member states, their governments, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission, and the President of the European Parliament to reconsider their participation in the eighth summit of the European Political Community, which will take place on May 4 in Yerevan, Armenia.

The letter states that international cooperation and dialogue are important, but this summit, which will immediately precede the next parliamentary elections in Armenia in June, contains elements of direct political support for the current authorities, personally for the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan. Such an approach will create unequal conditions for other political forces operating in Armenia and will undermine the principles of fair democratic competition.

As per the letter, Armenia is currently facing deep internal polarization and serious external security challenges, and therefore it is important that international actors avoid any steps that could be interpreted as a direct impact on maintaining internal political balance. Democratic processes should be free from external political influences that could be perceived as partiality or indirect support for Nikol Pashinyan.

Any step aimed at strengthening the current Armenian authorities, without a balanced and national consensus, endangers the country’s future stability and may deepen strategic vulnerability, especially in the context of increasing pressure from the Turkish-Azerbaijani tandem, the letter notes:

Therefore, as per the letter, European leaders and institutions should demonstrate strategic responsibility:

to refrain from participating in such events that could be interpreted as direct electoral support for the current regime,

to maintain neutrality in Armenia’s internal political processes, prioritizing long-term regional stability over short-term diplomatic symbolism,

and to consider postponing their participation in the European Political Community summit scheduled for May 4 until after the Armenian parliamentary elections, when a newly elected parliament will have been formed and a new, democratic, legitimate government will have been established, ready to host this important event.

As per the letter, the future of Armenia must be decided by its own people, in conditions of genuine political pluralism and fairness, and not under the shadow of external influence.

The letter concludes by a call to prevent the deepening of Armenia’s instability, and postpone the summit.

The 8th summit of the European Political Community will take place in Yerevan on May 4.

In addition, the EU-Armenia summit will be held in Yerevan on May 4-5.

Also, a state visit to Armenia by French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled for May 5.