Pashinyan and Iotova Sign Sofia Partnership Declaration in Yerevan
sofia moved to the center of Armenia’s European diplomacy on Sunday, when Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Bulgarian President Iliana Iotova signed a joint declaration on strategic partnership in Yerevan. Pashinyan hosted Iotova and her delegation ahead of the 8th European Political Community summit, putting the agreement in the middle of a day built around European ties.
The signing gives Armenia and Bulgaria a formal framework for closer cooperation at a moment when Pashinyan is also pressing for deeper links with the European Union and wider European partners. Iotova’s visit also came with a public nod to the summit itself, as she said the European Political Community has delivered tangible results since its launch.
Yerevan Hosts Bulgaria
Pashinyan congratulated Iotova on assuming office and wished her success as president of Bulgaria. During their meeting in Yerevan, Pashinyan said bilateral ties have strong potential and thanked Bulgaria for its support within the framework of the European Union. Iotova replied by expressing gratitude for the warm welcome and for hosting the summit.
The declaration does not stand alone. It followed Pashinyan’s separate meetings on Sunday with Canadian counterpart Mark Carney and Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene, giving the day a wider diplomatic scope than the Armenia-Bulgaria signing alone. Carney and Pashinyan discussed friendly bilateral relations and exchanged views on issues of mutual interest.
Carney and Ruginiene Meetings
Carney thanked Armenia for the support provided to Canadians in connection with the Iran conflict. He also touched upon the monitoring carried out in the region with the European Union and expressed readiness to provide assistance in holding elections. Pashinyan and Ruginiene discussed steps to deepen bilateral relations and expand cooperation, including democratic reforms and economic ties between Armenia and the European Union.
Ruginiene praised Armenia’s democratic development and said it contributes to closer cooperation between the two countries. Pashinyan welcomed her visit and thanked her for participating in the summit, while also emphasizing the importance of strengthening Armenia’s ties with the 27-member bloc.
EU Ties After the Signing
The practical next step is political, not ceremonial: Pashinyan has now linked the Bulgaria declaration to a broader round of meetings with European and North American partners in Yerevan. For Armenia, the value of Sunday’s signing lies in the sequence around it — Bulgaria, Canada, and Lithuania all met the Armenian prime minister on the same day, each in talks tied to European engagement and cooperation.
