Carney, Pashinyan meet ahead of EPC Summit in Yerevan

(Horizon Media / YEREVAN) – Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Yerevan ahead of the European Political Community (EPC) Summit, marking Canada’s first prime ministerial visit to Armenia in nearly a decade.

According to a readout from the Prime Minister’s Office, Carney thanked Pashinyan for the invitation, noting that his participation represents the first time a non-European leader has joined the EPC Summit. Carney emphasized the strong bilateral relations between Canada and Armenia, strengthened by the opening of a Canadian embassy in Yerevan in 2023 and the presence of more than 60,000 Canadians of Armenian descent.

The two also discussed bilateral relations and agreed to continue advancing shared priorities, while remaining in close contact.

Armenian government reporting indicated that discussions also touched on regional developments and issues of mutual interest. Carney expressed appreciation for Armenia’s support to Canadians in connection with the Iran conflict and referenced ongoing regional monitoring efforts in cooperation with the European Union. He also noted Canada’s readiness to provide support regarding the conduct of elections.

The meeting took place ahead of the 8th EPC Summit in Yerevan, which is hosting European leaders alongside invited international partners.

Notably, neither readout referenced discussions on the security challenges facing Armenia or the consequences of the Artsakh conflict, issues on which Canada has been vocal, but which observers note have received less emphasis amid shifting foreign policy priorities under Prime Minister Carney.

The meeting took place ahead of the 8th EPC Summit in Yerevan, amid heightened domestic political tensions in Armenia. Prime Minister Pashinyan has faced sustained criticism from opposition figures and large segments of civil society over his handling of national security issues and his rhetoric surrounding the peace process, particularly in the lead-up to the June 7 elections.

In recent days, several political forces in Armenia have also raised concerns with European Union officials ahead of the summit, pointing to democratic backsliding, consolidation of power, increasing political polarization, the presence of political prisoners, and tensions with the Armenian Church. A number of analysts have also warned that Pashinyan is deliberately leveraging the timing of the summit to bolster his domestic standing and project international legitimacy ahead of a highly contested election, despite declining public support.

The EPC Summit in Yerevan is bringing together European leaders alongside invited international partners, including Canada.