- Statements
The Steering Committee of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum welcomes the successful conduct of the parliamentary elections in Armenia and congratulates the Armenian people on their democratic participation and commitment to shaping the future of their country. These elections represent an important milestone and reaffirm the country’s continued commitment to democratic governance, reform, and closer cooperation with the European Union and its Member States.
We commend all citizens, election observers, civil society organisations, journalists, and public institutions who contributed to ensuring a transparent, competitive, and peaceful electoral process.
These elections took place against a challenging information environment. In recent years, Russia has intensified its efforts to influence Armenia’s political and information space through disinformation campaigns and information manipulation, employing tactics similar to those previously observed in Moldova and Georgia. The experience of our region clearly demonstrates that disinformation is not a temporary phenomenon that disappears after elections. Rather, it continuously adapts its methods, narratives, and channels to exploit societal divisions and undermine democratic institutions. The fight against disinformation therefore requires sustained commitment, long-term investment, and close cooperation between governments, civil society, media organisations, and international partners.
In this regard, we welcome the European Union’s support to Armenia in strengthening resilience against disinformation and foreign information manipulation ahead of the elections. This assistancerepresented a timely and valuable initiative that undoubtedly contributed to ensuring that Armenian citizens had greater access to reliable information and were better equipped to make informed democratic choices. Continued cooperation between Armenia and the European Union in this area will remain essential in safeguarding democratic processes and strengthening societal resilience.
We also wish to recognise the crucial role played by civil society organisations, independent media, and democratic activists across Armenia. Members and delegates of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum worked tirelessly to raise awareness about disinformation and facilitate the exchange of expertise across borders. Through cooperation with colleagues from Moldova, Georgia, and other Eastern Partnership countries, Armenian civil society organisations have been able to learn from both successful initiatives and past challenges in countering disinformation and strengthening democratic resilience.
Looking ahead, one of the most effective long-term responses to disinformation lies in investing in the education and empowerment of young people. The recommendations developed during the Eastern Partnership Youth Conference held on 12–13 May 2026 in Stockholm highlighted the importance of strengthening critical thinking and media literacy education in schools, including through partnerships with youth workers and civil society organisations. Participants also called for expanded opportunities for exchanges, traineeships, and civic engagement programmes focused on countering disinformation and hate speech online. Such investments are essential to ensuring that future generations are equipped to navigate an increasingly complex information environment, make informed democratic choices, and contribute to resilient and open societies across the Eastern Partnership and the EU.
We remain committed to supporting Armenia’s democratic development, strengthening regional cooperation, and working alongside civil society partners across the Eastern Partnership and the EU to advance democratic values, resilience, peace, and prosperity throughout the region.
