Marta Kocs on Visa Liberalization Process and €140 Million Support for Armenia

I have returned to Armenia six months after my previous visit. This was stated by European Commissioner Marta Kocs during a press conference with Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan. She emphasized that she is confident her return is welcome and she is pleased to have the opportunity to see the transformation processes underway in Armenia with her own eyes.

"Much has happened since my last visit, the world has become even more unstable, and this once again demonstrates how important our partnership in the South Caucasus is, underscoring the necessity for reliable partners and friends. We perceive Armenia in this way. Allow me to express my heartfelt gratitude for the support shown in the evacuation process of European citizens from the region; thank you very much," Kocs stated.

In the context of ongoing wars in the north and south, the trade routes passing through the South Caucasus have become more crucial than ever. Together with Deputy Prime Minister Grigoryan, we examined how we could improve infrastructure to reduce transportation times and costs between Europe and Asia. Since 2022, the volume of freight transportation has quadrupled," Kocs noted.

She presented the EU's support for Armenia's economy, addressing investment sectors and announced that a financial support package of €140 million for Armenia has been signed today. "These funds, among other areas, will contribute to the reforms needed to advance the visa liberalization process. This is an important year for Armenian democracy as well. Elections will take place in Armenia in June. In various countries across Europe, we see every day how malicious actors attempt to disrupt democratic processes through cyber attacks, disinformation, and other interventions. Europe is here to support. We will assist Armenia in combating hybrid threats and misinformation, so that Armenians, citizens of Armenia, can vote freely and fairly and determine the future of their country themselves," concluded European Commissioner Marta Kocs.