EU Commission President von der Leyen visits Azerbaijan and Armenia

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has commenced her first trip to the South Caucasus since Armenia and Azerbaijan signed a historic peace agreement, signalling a new chapter in the European Union’s engagement with the region. The visit follows the 2024 cease‑fire deal that ended decades of hostilities over Nagorno‑Karabakh, a development that has opened the door for broader diplomatic and economic outreach from Brussels.

During her itinerary, von der Leyen is scheduled to meet with leaders in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, discussing security cooperation, trade prospects and the EU’s role in supporting regional stability. The trip underscores the EU’s strategic interest in a region that has long been within Russia’s sphere of influence, as the bloc seeks to deepen ties, promote rule of law and facilitate infrastructure projects that could integrate the South Caucasus more closely with European markets.

The Commission’s presence in the South Caucasus comes at a pivotal moment when the EU is looking to expand its influence beyond traditional partners. By engaging directly with the newly stabilized states, the EU aims to build on its long‑standing initiatives while fostering a new era of partnership that balances regional security concerns with economic development.