Mirzoyan: Armenia’s EU path now law, not aspiration

PanARMENIAN.Net - Speaking at the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum Summit, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan emphasized the establishment of peace in the South Caucasus and the rapid expansion of Armenia–EU relations, underlining the vital role of civil society in this process.

“We no longer merely discuss the possibility of peace. We now speak of established peace. We speak of European integration not as a wish, but as a law,” Mirzoyan stated.

He reiterated that Armenia has long declared the need for lasting peace in the region, and despite skepticism and challenges, the government remains committed to the belief that peaceful coexistence with neighbors is the only guarantee of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and citizen welfare. He described the signing of the Washington Declaration of Peace and the preliminary agreement on a peace treaty with Azerbaijan as historic milestones.

“Peace is more than the absence of war. It is dialogue and the patience to build trust. In this context, I call on civil society representatives in Armenia and Azerbaijan to engage with this new reality. Governments can sign agreements, but trust must be built by societies,” he said.

Mirzoyan praised recent direct civil society dialogues held in Yerevan and Baku, stressing their importance beyond what official meetings can achieve.

He highlighted the unprecedented pace of Armenia–EU cooperation in recent years, expanding beyond the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) into new areas, including:

• Launch and progress of the visa liberalization dialogue
• Active EU civilian mission in Armenia
• First support package under the European Peace Facility
• New security cooperation, including consultations on security and defense
• Armenia’s participation framework in EU crisis management operations
• Implementation of the “Resilience and Growth” program

Mirzoyan noted that on December 2, Armenia and the EU adopted the new Strategic Partnership Agenda, complementing CEPA and elevating the relationship to a strategic level.

He called the spring passage of a law initiating the EU accession process one of the most meaningful events of the year. The bill, he emphasized, originated as a civil initiative, clearly reflecting the public’s will. Its endorsement by the government and parliamentary majority shows a shared vision for bringing Armenia closer to the EU.

“This proves that Armenia’s path toward Europe is not only government policy but the society’s choice, a grassroots-to-state process. This is democracy in action,” he said.

Addressing democratic resilience, Mirzoyan pointed to growing hybrid threats: disinformation, cyberattacks, manipulation of public opinion, and attacks on trust in democratic institutions.

“These threats exploit the openness of democratic societies. But we’ve learned that when we confront them with awareness and civic engagement. They don’t weaken democracy but strengthen it,” he said.

Each neutralized attack or debunked falsehood reinforces democracy’s “immune system,” he noted, calling on civil society to act as that system, countering disinformation and safeguarding irreversible reforms.

He concluded with optimism: “The South Caucasus has bright and promising times ahead. Through cooperation, the region can unlock its full potential. Civil society has a vital role. Together—governments, civil society, and citizens—we are shaping a new era for our country, our region, and Europe, defined not by conflict and division, but by peace, cooperation, and shared prosperity.”

On December 2 in Brussels, following the sixth session of the Armenia–EU Partnership Council, Armenia and the European Union signed the Strategic Partnership Agenda. The document was signed by Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas.