The European Parliament voted 476 to 47 with 48 abstentions today to pass a resolution supporting democratic resilience in Armenia.
The European Parliament expressed strong support for Armenia’s democratic reforms, European integration efforts and resilience against foreign interference ahead of the country’s parliamentary elections scheduled for June 2026.
In the resolution, lawmakers reaffirmed their “strong belief” in the Armenian authorities’ commitment to free, fair and transparent elections and voiced support for efforts to protect democratic institutions from external interference.
The European Parliament stressed that the outcome of the 2026 parliamentary elections “must be determined by the Armenian people alone” and underscored the importance of independent electoral administration, equal campaign conditions, media pluralism and full respect for fundamental freedoms throughout the electoral process.
MEPs called for stronger safeguards against disinformation, illicit financing, vote-buying and coercion, as well as enhanced protection of electoral infrastructure and greater transparency in campaign financing. The resolution also emphasized the importance of supporting fact-checking initiatives, civil society organizations and international election observation missions, including those of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).
The resolution strongly condemned foreign information manipulation, disinformation campaigns and hybrid threats targeting Armenia, particularly those “emanating from Russia and its proxies.” According to the document, such threats include cyberattacks, illicit political financing and the use of domestic actors and oligarchic networks to amplify destabilizing influence.
The European Parliament described these challenges as “structural and long-term in nature” and called for sustained efforts to strengthen Armenia’s democratic resilience beyond the electoral cycle. It welcomed the establishment of the EU Partnership Mission in Armenia (EUPM Armenia) and called for increased EU support in areas such as strategic communication, media literacy and cybersecurity.
MEPs also urged Armenian authorities to ensure full respect for opposition rights, judicial independence and freedom of expression.
The resolution noted the “specific challenges” associated with the presence of a sizeable Russian community, including dual nationals, in Armenia and stressed the need for vigilance against possible attempts to exploit the situation for electoral interference.
At the same time, lawmakers welcomed the growing momentum in EU-Armenia relations and praised Armenia’s continued commitment to democracy, the rule of law, human rights and political and economic reforms.
The European Parliament highlighted progress in implementing the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA), advancements in the visa liberalization dialogue and the ongoing implementation of the EU-backed resilience and growth plan.
MEPs also welcomed Armenia’s legislative initiatives aimed at deepening ties with the European Union, including the adoption of legislation expressing the country’s aspiration for EU membership.
The resolution described the upcoming eighth summit of the European Political Community and the first-ever EU-Armenia summit, scheduled to take place in Yerevan on May 4-5, 2026, as an “exceptional and historic milestone.”
According to the document, hosting both summits consecutively in Yerevan sends “an unambiguous political signal of pan-European solidarity with Armenia” and demonstrates the EU’s commitment to supporting Armenia’s peace, reform and resilience agenda.
The European Parliament also reiterated its strong support for Armenia’s efforts toward peace and normalization of relations with Azerbaijan. MEPs welcomed progress in the peace process and called on both sides to move toward a comprehensive and legally binding peace agreement based on respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders.
The resolution condemned Azerbaijan’s detention of Armenian prisoners of war and other detainees, demanding their “immediate and unconditional release.” It also reiterated support for the rights of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians, including the protection of their identity, property and cultural heritage and their right to a “safe, unimpeded and dignified return” under international guarantees.
In addition, the European Parliament welcomed ongoing normalization efforts between Armenia and Türkiye and encouraged both countries to continue confidence-building measures, including reopening borders.
The resolution calls on the European Commission, the European External Action Service and EU member states to deepen cooperation with Armenia in areas including democratic governance, judicial reform, anti-corruption efforts, cybersecurity and support for independent media and civil society.
