Lithuania backs Armenia’s EU bid, foreign minister says in Yerevan

VILNIUS - Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys, visiting Yerevan, assured Armenia of Lithuania’s support for its European Union integration goals, the Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

According to the minister, Armenia is an "inseparable part of European civilisation," and European integration is a vital condition for security and economic prosperity. Lithuania aims for the benefits provided by the European Union, which have been available to the Lithuanian people for over two decades, to be accessible to Armenia as well.

On Tuesday, Budrys and his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan signed a declaration on strategic partnership. In the document, Armenia confirmed its determination to continue implementing reforms necessary for European integration, while Lithuania pledged comprehensive assistance and the sharing of its expertise.

According to the ministry, the declaration envisages deepening the partnership in political affairs, combating hybrid threats and strengthening democratic resilience, as well as in the fields of economy, high technology, energy, culture, education and people-to-people contacts.

"For several years, we have been sharing our experience of European integration reforms and best practices with Armenia, and we will continue to do so. A few days ago, Lithuanian experts began implementing another large-scale project that will help Armenia properly prepare for the swiftest possible opening of a visa-free regime with the EU," Budrys said.

The ministers also discussed regional security issues and the normalisation of Armenia's relations with Azerbaijan and Turkey. Budrys welcomed the preliminary approval of a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, expressing hope that it could be signed in the near future.

Armenia has recently been strengthening ties with the European Union, freezing its membership in a Russian-led security organisation and increasingly declaring a European direction, although experts note that the country's path to the European Union remains complex due to geopolitical factors and Russian influence.