Together with Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Grigoryan, we looked at where we can improve infrastructure to reduce transport time and costs between Europe and Asia. European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos stated this during a joint statement with Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan in Yerevan Thursday.

Kos noted that traffic on the aforesaid route has quadrupled since 2022. It’s four times higher since 2004. So with the right investments, it could triple by 2030, and that would benefit both Armenia and Europe, she added.

As per Kos, however, their work is really not just about trade and the economy. She also sees it as an investment that contributes to peace. Armenia and Azerbaijan have taken important steps towards peace and stability Kos noted, and she commended those efforts.

Europe wants to help, they are ready to invest in regional connectivity to promote lasting peace, stability and prosperity, and this is how the European Union was built on peace, stability, and prosperity, Kos said.

Opening border crossings, building bridges and modern roads can connect people as well as markets. By building stronger economic ties, they can also help reduce the risk of conflict, and Europe knows from its own history how important this is, she added.

At the same time, the EU is helping Armenia’s economic growth, Kos noted Since the announcement of the Growth and Resilience Plan on April 24, EU support has already helped 7,000 businesses and contributed to the creation of more than 20,000 jobs in Armenia, she added. Also, they are building schools, investing in housing and social services, and assisting in the integration of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh with over €70 million, including cash assistance, housing, and social services, Kos noted.

The EU is also funding the modernization of Armenia’s education system, including the renovation of seven schools in the country, and they are determined to continue their support, she said. That is why today they signed a funding agreement that will provide an additional €140 million for Armenia, among other things, to assist in the reforms needed to move forward towards full visa liberalization, Kos added.

Armenia is the only country in the world that is actively engaged in a visa liberalization dialogue with the EU, and this reflects the depth of their ties, noted the European Commissioner for Enlargement.