On his first visit to Armenia as Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset reaffirmed the Organisation’s unwavering support for the country’s democratic development and called for the swift signature of a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
“The pace of development, the direction of democratic reforms, and the pragmatic approach taken by the authorities are encouraging signs of Armenia’s ongoing democratic engagement,” Alain Berset said at the close of his two-day official visit.
He also welcomed Armenia’s commitment to deepening co-operation with the Council of Europe.
“In my meeting with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, I received a clear message: Armenia sees the Council of Europe as a key partner on its democratic journey,” he said.
“Reform is a continuous process, and we stand ready to provide consistent support to help move the country forward”.
Peace as cornerstone of democratic security
In meetings with President Vahagn Khachaturyan, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, National Assembly President Alen Simonyan, Justice Minister Srbuhi Galyan, and representatives of the international community, Alain Berset underscored the Council of Europe’s commitment to long-term peace and democratic security in the South Caucasus.
“The signature of the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan is key to long-term stability. We strongly support its timely conclusion,” Alain Berset said. “The upcoming European Political Community Summit, which Armenia is set to host next year, is a strong signal of regional commitment. The Council of Europe will remain engaged and supportive — both within and beyond the framework of the European Political Community.”
Sustained partnership on democratic reform
The visit reaffirmed the Council of Europe’s commitment to Armenia’s democratic transformation through the 2023–2026 Action Plan. Alain Berset welcomed the government’s cooperation with key Council of Europe bodies and its steady progress in aligning national frameworks with European standards.
He pointed to Armenia’s engagement with the fight against corruption, the implementation of judgments from the European Court of Human Rights, and the recent ratification of the Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine and the Protocol on the abolition of the death penalty.
The visit underscored Armenia’s democratic reforms as part of the broader vision for a New Democratic Pact for Europe. In a Europe of 46 states, collective action is essential as threats now target not just borders, but institutions, freedoms, and values. Armenia shows how national efforts can reinforce our shared democratic backbone — before the window for action closes.
Concrete support for Karabakh refugees
Alain Berset highlighted a €2.8 million assistance package designed to support Armenia’s response to the Karabakh refugee crisis. The initiative focuses on both refugee protection and host community resilience.
“We work at two levels – protecting the rights of refugees, addressing mental health needs, integrating displaced healthcare professionals into the Armenian system, and strengthening the local communities that are receiving them,” he said.
Expanding Armenia’s role in the European legal space
The Secretary General encouraged Armenia to consider joining new Council of Europe conventions addressing current challenges, including electronic evidence in cybercrime, protection of the legal profession, offences related to cultural property, and artificial intelligence and human rights.
Dialogue with the next generation
During a public lecture at Yerevan State University, Alain Berset spoke with students about regional security, democratic resilience, and the importance of youth engagement in upholding European values.
