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I also want to thank you, Prime Minister Nicole, for the warm reception you have given to my friend António and me receiving us here,

and I also want to congratulate you both for hosting a very successful European political community yesterday and for your peace oriented agenda.

Armenia has long been a valued member of our broader European family.

Your peaceful Velvet Revolution in 2018 demonstrated your country's commitment to core European values,

that is democracy, respect for the rule of law and fundamental freedoms.

Today I want to express our firm support and partnership with Armenia.

We all live in a volatile geopolitical context, and in this challenging environment,

the first ever EU Armenia summit could not be more timely.

It is an opportunity to deepen our bonds and take our unique partnership to the next level.

We will do so along 4 key priorities. The first is connectivity. We've just signed a connectivity partnership.

It brings us to a new level of ambition to our cooperation.

And if I start with the first pillar of the 3, that is transport.

Few countries are as uniquely positioned as Armenia.

The Crossroads of Peace initiative has the potential to link Europe with the South Caucasus and Central Asia,

and thus, as you described, to turn Armenia into a key transport hub.

We are ready to work on rebuilding border crossing points as your frontiers reopen with neighbouring countries.

We know how important it is for Armenia to be firmly integrated. Into the regional transport network.

And this is why we will support your integration into key transport networks like the Trans-Caspian corridor.

It is a route that is also of strategic importance for Europe.

Also given the growing flows of trade between our two regions,

and this is why today we are launching a high-level dialogue on transport,

as transport networks are a driving force for competitiveness.

The second pillar is, as you mentioned, energy.

Armenia's rapid expansion of solar energy is remarkable.

It is a clear sign of your commitment to diversifying Armenia's energy mix,

and it is of paramount importance if we look at, for example, the energy crisis we are all facing.

We are supporting projects to further boost your energy independence,

specifically in view of the precious renewable resources you were describing.

This already includes EUR €25 million for the Caucasus transmission networks.

And investment in energy storage for your security of supply.

Now turning to the 3rd pillar that is digital.

Armenia has an amazing emerging AI and engineering ecosystem.

It is a strength, and we want to build on this one.

Together we have identified a wide set of projects,

and we all here in this room have witnessed the signature.

Of several letters of intent with leading companies,

so we are strongly encouraging European companies to invest here.

Where talent and opportunities come together, Armenia is the place to be.

The second priority we've been discussing today is stronger cooperation indeed on security.

Under the European Peace Facility, we are supporting the Armenian armed forces, but Armenia has also information manipulation,

hybrid threats, interference you in countering these hybrid threats and disinformation,

because one thing is absolutely clear.

The only legitimate source of power in this country is the Armenian people's will.

The 3rd priority is cooperation on visa policy and home affairs.

Visa liberalism matters deeply to the Armenian people, and rightly so,

since we all know it's a key vehicle to bring our people closer together.

So we are pleased to present the first progress report and congratulations, it's very positive.

So it shows good work and progress since last November and I'm absolutely convinced we're going to get there.

Also today, we are setting a new working arrangement between Frontex and Armenia.

It will strengthen the cooperation on border and migration management.

Last but certainly not least,

The 4th priority is economic support and social resilience.

2 years ago we launched the resilience and Growth Plan.

For Armenia, worth €270 million its implementation is progressing well.

We now expect the plan to leverage €2.5 billion in mobilised investments.

We are supporting Armenian businesses, helping them grow and innovate and access new markets.

And we are investing in skills and employment, but also,

for example, on demining, which is vital for safety and security.

And we are providing the much needed support, including housing, to those displaced from Karabakh. So a wide range of topics.

I've just touched on the most important ones, but this dear Nicole and Antonio shows the width and the depth of our cooperation,

and I'm very much looking forward to the next summit we will have. Thank you very much.