On October 12, Ambassador Vassilis Maragos, Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, addressed the forum “Crossroads of the World: Uniting Security and Democracy,” expressing appreciation for the event's organization and thanking his colleagues at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation for their efforts in making it possible.

Ambassador Maragos emphasized the EU's support for this project, which aims to establish peace, normalize relations, and open transportation routes in the region while preserving national identity and ensuring reciprocity. He noted that the EU Partnership Council, with the participation of Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, welcomed this initiative as part of broader regional cooperation efforts.

Recalling his participation in the presentation of the project a year ago by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Maragos highlighted the EU’s commitment to working with Armenia and regional partners to implement the initiative. He underscored the significant progress made in strengthening relations between Armenia and the EU since the Prime Minister's address to the European Parliament last year.

Ambassador Maragos also mentioned the European Union’s ongoing support for Armenia across multiple sectors, including economic, judicial, and legal reforms, as well as enhancing regional connections. He emphasized the EU’s focus on strengthening Armenia's institutions and ensuring long-term democratic sustainability. Maragos stressed that peace is a fundamental component of these efforts, and that the EU is advancing negotiations on a partnership program to unlock the full potential of Armenia-EU relations under the SEPA agreement.

Highlighting the EU's commitment to Armenia’s growth and resilience, Maragos recalled European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's presentation of the Sustainability and Growth Program during a meeting with Prime Minister Pashinyan and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 5. He noted that Armenia is expected to receive €270 million in support over the next four months, which will play a crucial role in economic development, entrepreneurial growth, and regional connectivity.

Maragos also addressed the EU’s involvement in supporting forcibly displaced Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh. He reported that the EU had invested over €100 million in the past year and had added €30 million to Armenia’s government budget to help alleviate the financial burden on the state. The ambassador reaffirmed the EU’s ongoing commitment to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the region, in line with the EU's broader regional policies.