European Political Community meeting: Press remarks by High Representative Kaja Kallas upon arrival
Check against delivery!
It is great to be here in Yerevan.
We have the European Political Community meeting and Europe is not about geography, it is about values and principles. That is why we are super glad to welcome Canada here today to discuss the issues.
And of course, also the Summit taking place here in Yerevan is showing how important Caucasus is, especially now when [that] there is a war in Iran as well. We are talking about connectivity, but also resilience to the threats that we are facing.
Q&A
Q. Europe is under huge pressure from the United States. Be it tariffs, be it the announced withdrawal of US troops [inaudible]?
There has been a talk about withdrawal [of] US troops for a long time from Europe. But of course, the timing of this announcement comes as a surprise. I think it shows that we have to really strengthen the European pillar in NATO, and we have to really do more. The American troops are not in Europe only for protecting the European interests, but also American interest.
Q. Do you think that President Trump wants to, like, especially punish Chancellor Merz with the recent actions?
Well, I do not see into the head of President Trump, so he has to explain it himself.
Q. [inaudible]
Yes, Armenians are making their own decisions, and in Armenia, we have the elections coming already in a month, so European perspective is also on the table, but eventually the Armenians will decide.
Q. Speaking of connectivity, how important in this geopolitical situation the Middle Corridor and where the [inaudble] is also Georgia?
The Middle Corridor is very important. What we see happening in the Middle East, everybody is looking at also how to diversify the trade routes and diminish the risks of one trade route being closed. And that is why connectivity and these routes are extremely important. Of course, we need to see what we can do in this respect, and who are our partners as well.
Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/media/video/I-288702