Mark Carney joins EPC summit as Canada becomes first non-European participant
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 3
Mark Carney joins EPC summit as Canada becomes first non-European participant
13 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 3
Carney will attend Monday's 48-plus nation meeting in Yerevan, where leaders will discuss US troop cuts in Germany and the economic fallout from any prolonged US-Iran conflict.
His visit also signals Western backing for Armenia as Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan steers the country away from Russia and seeks closer ties with Europe before June parliamentary elections.
After the EPC gathering, Armenia and the EU hold their first bilateral summit, with Yerevan seeking extra democracy funding and visa liberalisation as it pursues a peace deal with Azerbaijan.
Can Armenia withstand Russia's pressure as it pivots West without firm EU security guarantees?
Will Armenia's upcoming election endorse a risky pro-EU path or a return to Russia's orbit?
Is the newly announced 'Trump Route' a genuine peace corridor or a strategic asset for foreign powers?
Armenia Hosts 8th EPC Summit in 2026 Amid Strategic Pivot from Russia to Europe
Overview
Armenia's hosting of the 8th European Political Community summit in May 2026 marks a significant shift as the country pivots away from reliance on Russia following the 2023 Nagorno-Karabakh crisis and a 2025 Russian-backed coup attempt that exposed security weaknesses. This crisis accelerated Armenia's strategic realignment toward Europe, supported by its democratic reforms and EU engagement intensified after a 2025 peace deal with Azerbaijan. The summit highlights efforts to strengthen democracy, enhance regional security, and develop new energy and transport corridors bypassing Russia. Armenia's role as a bridge between Europe and Asia is underscored, while the summit also signals European commitment to stability amid evolving regional dynamics and Russian influence decline.