EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the EPC summit in Yerevan reflects the growing geopolitical importance of the South Caucasus.

“It is great to be here in Yerevan,” Kallas said, emphasizing that “Europe is not about geography, it is about values and principles.”

She noted that broad participation, including partners beyond Europe, demonstrates the expanding scope of the EPC format.

Kallas linked the region’s importance to ongoing global tensions. “The summit taking place here in Yerevan is showing how important the Caucasus is, especially now when there is a war in Iran as well,” she said.

She highlighted connectivity and resilience as central themes, particularly in the context of shifting global supply chains. “The Middle Corridor is very important,” Kallas said, noting that countries are seeking to diversify routes and reduce risks.

“Everybody is looking at how to diversify the trade routes and diminish the risks of one trade route being closed,” she added.

On security, she commented on reports of potential U.S. troop withdrawals from Europe, stressing the need to strengthen NATO’s European pillar. “It shows that we have to really strengthen the European pillar in NATO, and we have to really do more,” she said.

Kallas also addressed developments in Georgia, noting a gap between ambitions and concrete progress toward EU membership.