Between 3 and 5 December 2025, the European Forum for Democracy and Solidarity (EFDS) conducted a series of meetings in Armenia with a broad spectrum of political actors, civil society representatives, and institutional stakeholders. The participants of the mission included representatives and parliamentarians from the EFDS, the Party of European Socialists (PES), the SPÖ (Austria), the Parti Socialiste (Belgium), Socialdemokraterna (Sweden) and the Partito Democratico (Italy).
The purpose of the visit was to acquire a comprehensive understanding of Armenia’s domestic political dynamics, democratic governance, and broader geopolitical orientation, especially towards parliamentary elections in Armenia in June 2026.
The delegation’s discussions highlighted the challenges facing Armenia as it navigates a complex political landscape shaped by the legacy of the Nagorno-Karabakh wars, the enduring influence of Russia, and Armenia’s aspirations for closer ties with Europe. In Armenia, political, societal, and institutional dynamics remain deeply intertwined with security considerations, which continue to dominate public discourse and are expected to shape electoral outcomes such as in upcoming parliamentary elections. Our visit revealed opportunities and limitations for European engagement, underscoring a delicate balance between supporting Armenia’s European orientation and maintaining principled standards on democracy, political pluralism, and rule of law.
