Macron Hails Armenia’s New EU Era at EPC Summit
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- Macron arrived early Sunday evening in Yerevan for the European Political Community (EPC) summit, where he received a hero's welcome from crowds.
- Macron joined onlookers in an impromptu rendition of La Marseillaise and was photographed with babies, a traditional political gesture.
- Macron jogged with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and later performed a piano rendition of Charles Aznavour's "La Boheme", with Pashinyan on drums.
- Macron declared that Armenia is entering a "new era" with Europe, noting its shift from Russian dependence after the Velvet Revolution and its commitment to peace.
- Macron highlighted that the EPC, which he helped create in 2022, is expanding to include the South Caucasus for the first time, aiming to tackle drug trafficking, energy solidarity, misinformation, and defence cooperation.
- Macron's popularity abroad contrasts with low domestic support, as shown by YouGov's January 2026 poll.
Why it matters: Armenia gains a symbolic endorsement of its European orientation, potentially unlocking new political and economic partnerships, while the EU expands its diplomatic reach into the South Caucasus. For Macron, the high‑visibility visit bolsters his international standing even as his domestic approval remains weak.
