Council of Europe chief reaffirms support for Armenia’s reforms during visit

On June 11, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with Secretary General of the Council of Europe Alain Berset, who is on an official visit to Yerevan. 

Armenian media reports indicate that Berset reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to maintaining close ties with Armenia’s government, per Caliber.Az.

“We are ready to continue close cooperation with the government of Armenia,” he stated.

According to a statement from the Armenian government’s press office, Pashinyan expressed deep appreciation for the Council of Europe’s role in supporting Armenia’s democratic transformation. He underscored the organisation’s contribution to promoting democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, and thanked the Council for its consistent support of democratic reforms in the country.

In turn, Berset reiterated the Council of Europe’s readiness to further assist Armenia in advancing democratic governance and safeguarding human rights. He also extended his congratulations to Prime Minister Pashinyan on Armenia’s selection as the host country for two major events in 2026 — the European Political Community summit and the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP-17).

During the meeting, the two officials reviewed the current agenda of Armenia’s cooperation with the Council of Europe and discussed opportunities to expand joint programs in the fields of democracy and the rule of law.

Pashinyan and Berset also exchanged views on regional developments, with an emphasis on promoting stability in the broader region.

By Tamilla Hasanova