Canada Attends EPC Summit in Armenia as First Non-European Nation

Canada will become the first non-European country to participate in a meeting of the European Political Community (EPC), with Prime Minister Mark Carney attending the summit in Yerevan, Armenia, on Monday. The gathering includes over 48 nations and focuses on fostering dialogue among European leaders and associated countries.

Building Alliances Amid U.S.

Canadian diplomats have dismissed suggestions that Ottawa is pursuing EU membership. The summit also serves as a demonstration of Western support for Armenia as it seeks to reduce reliance on Russia, particularly amid ambiguous U.S. stances toward Moscow's opponents like Ukraine.

Trump's initiative to withdraw more than 5,000 troops from Germany over the next year and the economic effects of the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict are expected to be key discussion points. Armenia borders Iran but has not reported incidents of Iranian missiles landing in its territory, unlike neighboring Azerbaijan.

The EPC selected Yerevan as the host to allow Armenia to highlight its growing connections with Europe and continue decoupling from Russia, its former ally. Armenia's officials have pursued diversification policies, drawing the country closer to European influence.

Armenian officials face parliamentary elections in June and aim for a strong result to advance peace efforts with Azerbaijan. Opposition parties show more sympathy toward Russia.

“European leaders will have to walk a fine line in Yerevan. As they hold what looks like a pre-election rally for [Armenian officials], they must also have a bigger conversation about building a more robust and less polarised Armenia.”

Armenia stands on the brink of a peace agreement with Azerbaijan that could reopen borders closed since the 1990s, presenting an opportunity to lessen dependence on Moscow amid the Ukraine war.

Following the EPC meeting, a bilateral summit between Armenia and the EU is scheduled for Tuesday, potentially leading to additional funding for democracy promotion and visa liberalization. The EU enlargement commissioner stated during a March visit that Armenia and the EU have never been closer.

Armenia signed a comprehensive partnership agreement with the EU in 2017 and adopted a law last year declaring intent to apply for EU membership, diverging from neighboring Georgia's path. The country remains part of the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union and froze its membership in the Collective Security Treaty Organisation in 2024.

French President Emmanuel Macron has championed closer ties between Europe and Armenia, with his attendance treated as a state visit. The EPC, established in 2022, unites EU members and non-members like the UK, Turkey, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and Serbia for informal discussions without a formal secretariat.

With U.S. support under Trump, Armenia and Azerbaijan initialed a peace agreement in Washington last August. Azerbaijan insists on constitutional changes in Armenia before full agreement, a claim Armenian authorities deny.

“Many of our former strengths, built on our close ties to the US, have become weaknesses. The US has changed.”

The summit's informal structure emphasizes bilateral talks over lengthy communiques, and its continued attendance by leaders indicates its value despite initial skepticism.