YEREVAN, MARCH 27, ARMENPRESS. Former Danish Prime Minister and NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen called Armenia “a democracy in an incredibly difficult geopolitical neighbourhood”.

After the release of a report by the Friends of Armenia Network, led by him, Rasmussen said that Prime Minister Pashinyan’s government has made the courageous decision to diversify Armenia’s foreign policy and move towards the West.

“The world’s democracies - and the European Union, in particular - must act to support Armenia in this pivot,” he said.

Referring to the events in Nagorno-Karabakh, former NATO Secretary General said:

“This support has become even more important following Azerbaijan’s 2023 offensive against the ethnic-Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh and the continued threat posed by Azeri forces.

“Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine has shown that the European Union must do far more to stand up for democracies in its direct neighbourhood.”

Rasmussen also expressed the opinion that Europe has an opportunity to “support a stable democracy and lasting peace in the South Caucasus”.

“Today’s report outlines the tangible steps that can and should be taken, ultimately leading to Armenia joining the European Union,” he added.