In a historic move marking his first visit to Armenia since assuming office a decade ago, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg arrived for a significant diplomatic engagement.

Stoltenberg, accompanied by high-ranking NATO officials, touched down in Yerevan, Armenia’s capital, to foster dialogue and cooperation between NATO and Armenia.

During a joint press conference held in Yerevan alongside Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Stoltenberg expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome, highlighting the significance of his inaugural visit to Armenia as NATO Secretary General.

He acknowledged Armenia’s longstanding partnership with NATO, particularly its substantial contributions to NATO missions and operations, notably in Kosovo, where Armenia played a pivotal role in maintaining peace and security.

Stoltenberg emphasized the importance of stability in the South Caucasus region and engaged in discussions with Prime Minister Pashinyan regarding the ongoing efforts towards peace and reconciliation between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

He urged both nations to seize the current opportunity to reach a lasting peace agreement, emphasizing the potential for normalized relations and enduring peace for their respective peoples.

This visit to Armenia forms part of Stoltenberg’s broader itinerary, which includes visits to Azerbaijan and Georgia from the 17th to the 19th of March. Notably, Stoltenberg’s visit to Tbilisi marked his first trip to Georgia since 2019, underlining the significance of NATO’s engagement with the region.

Among the three countries visited, only Georgia formally aspires to NATO membership.

In February, Stoltenberg welcomed Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze to NATO headquarters, reaffirming NATO’s support for Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

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