04:59 05-05-2026

Macron Praises Armenia’s Shift Toward Europe

Number 10, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Emmanuel Macron praised Armenia’s political shift under Nikol Pashinyan, saying Yerevan moved away from its past image as Russia’s ally.

French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking at the European Political Community summit in Yerevan, pointed to major political changes in Armenia, News.am reported.

The French leader highlighted the course taken by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan toward «European integration». Macron said Armenia had often been viewed as Russia’s ally, but after the 2018 «Velvet Revolution» the country changed direction.

According to Macron, eight years ago few would have come to Armenia, as the country was seen at the negotiating table as Russia’s de facto satellite. He said the number of new visits to Armenia today is a telling sign of that shift.

Pashinyan became prime minister in May 2018 after mass protests. His «My Step» movement opposed the extension of President Serzh Sargsyan’s powers. Sargsyan eventually resigned, and Pashinyan took over as head of government.

That same year, Armenia moved to a parliamentary system. The president’s powers were sharply reduced, while the National Assembly and the prime minister gained the central role in governing the country.