“Lithuania welcomes the establishment of the EU-Armenia working group, the new EU financial assistance and trade package, and the broader partnership structure defined by the European Commission. Lithuania is committed to actively contributing to their implementation,” K. Budrys announced on the social network “X” on Thursday.
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He emphasized Lithuania’s support for Armenia in its efforts to defend its right to sovereign decisions and free and fair elections without foreign interference.
“Russia’s use of economic coercion to pressure Armenia in the context of its national elections is reprehensible and must be decisively addressed,” the head of Lithuanian diplomacy stated.
He spoke after European Commission (EC) head Ursula von der Leyen announced to the Armenian Prime Minister on Thursday that the bloc’s financial aid and flower imports to his country would be increased.
As BNS wrote, Armenian voters will cast their ballots in parliamentary elections on Sunday, which are seen as a test of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s efforts to reduce the country’s dependence on Moscow and forge closer ties with the West.
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Before the vote, Russia increased pressure on Yerevan, imposing import restrictions on key sectors and calling for a referendum on the country’s ambitions to join the EU.
According to U. von der Leyen, the Community has facilitated trade with Armenia in areas targeted by Moscow.
Armenia is formally an ally of Moscow but is strengthening ties with the EU amid growing frustration that Russia did not defend it during conflicts with neighboring Azerbaijan.
In 2024, Yerevan froze security ties with Moscow, and last year adopted a law declaring its intention to seek EU membership, further angering Russia.
